26 to make her holy, cleansing[1] her by the washing with water through the word,

Other Translations of Ephesians 5:26

King James Version

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

English Standard Version

26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

The Message

26 Christ's love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her,

New King James Version

26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,

New Living Translation

26 to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ephesians 5:26

Commentary on Ephesians 5:22-33

(Read Ephesians 5:22-33)

The duty of wives is, submission to their husbands in the Lord, which includes honouring and obeying them, from a principle of love to them. The duty of husbands is to love their wives. The love of Christ to the church is an example, which is sincere, pure, and constant, notwithstanding her failures. Christ gave himself for the church, that he might sanctify it in this world, and glorify it in the next, that he might bestow on all his members a principle of holiness, and deliver them from the guilt, the pollution, and the dominion of sin, by those influences of the Holy Spirit, of which baptismal water was the outward sign. The church and believers will not be without spot or wrinkle till they come to glory. But those only who are sanctified now, shall be glorified hereafter. The words of Adam, mentioned by the apostle, are spoken literally of marriage; but they have also a hidden sense in them, relating to the union between Christ and his church. It was a kind of type, as having resemblance. There will be failures and defects on both sides, in the present state of human nature, yet this does not alter the relation. All the duties of marriage are included in unity and love. And while we adore and rejoice in the condescending love of Christ, let husbands and wives learn hence their duties to each other. Thus the worst evils would be prevented, and many painful effects would be avoided.