Ephesians 5:26

24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands ^ain everything.

25 ^aHusbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and ^bgave Himself for her,

26 that He might¹ sanctify and cleanse her ^awith the washing of water ^bby the word,

27 ^athat He might present her to Himself a glorious church, ^bnot having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

30 For ^awe are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

Commentaries:

Adam Clarke

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Ephesians 5:26

That he might sanctify and cleanse it - The Church is represented as the spouse of Christ, as the woman is the spouse of the man; and, to prepare this Church for himself, he washes, cleanses, and sanctifies it. There is certainly an allusion here to the ancient method of purifying women, who were appointed to be consorts to kings; twelve months, it appears, were in some instances spent in this purification: Six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odors and with other things, for the purifying of women. See the case of Esther, Esther 2:12; see also Psalms 45:13, Psalms 45:14; Ezekiel 16:7-14.

With the washing of water - Baptism, accompanied by the purifying influences of the Holy Spirit.

By the word - The doctrine of Christ crucified, through which baptism is administered, sin canceled, and the soul purified from all unrighteousness; the death of Christ giving efficacy to all.

Other Adam Clarke entries containing Ephesians 5:26:

Exodus 26:36
Colossians 3:18

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Ephesians 5:27 >>

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