Ephesians Chapter 5 verse 26 Holy Bible

ASV Ephesians 5:26

that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,
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BBE Ephesians 5:26

So that he might make it holy, having made it clean with the washing of water by the word,
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DARBY Ephesians 5:26

in order that he might sanctify it, purifying [it] by the washing of water by [the] word,
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KJV Ephesians 5:26

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
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WBT Ephesians 5:26


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WEB Ephesians 5:26

that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,
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YLT Ephesians 5:26

that he might sanctify it, having cleansed `it' with the bathing of the water in the saying,
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Ephesians 5 : 26 Bible Verse Songs

Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerse 26. - That he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word. The immediate object of Christ was to cleanse her, and for this end he used the Word as a purifying agent, washing her by means of it. The difference between selfish and unselfish love is seen here: a selfish lover cares for his wife in his own interest - like Samson, desires to have her simply because she pleases him, and, in his converse with her, thinks, not of her good, but of his own enjoyment; but the love of an unselfish lover constrains him to seek her good, to do nothing that will hurt her and damage her in any manner of way, but to do everything that he believes will advance her well-being, especially in the highest sense. He finds her polluted (comp. Ezekiel 16.), and his great instrument of cleansing is "the Word" (comp. John 15:3; John 17:5) - the Word in all its searching, humbling, rebuking, correcting, informing, stimulating, refreshing, consoling power. There is no express allusion to baptism, τῷ λουτρῷ τοῦ ὕδατος is explained by ἐν ῤήματι, "the Word" being the great sanctifying medium, and baptism a figure (1 Peter 3:21).

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(26) That he might sanctify and cleanse it . . .--The true rendering is, that He might sanctify it, having cleansed it in the laver of the water in [the] Word. The reference in "the laver of the water" to baptism, is even more unquestionable than in "the laver of regeneration" of Titus 3:5. Hence we must conclude that the phrase "in the Word" is in some way connected with that sacrament. Of the two Greek words translated "word," the one here used is that which signifies not "the word" existing as a definite thought in the mind, but "the word" as audibly spoken. It has, indeed, in the original no article, but this is probably because it had assumed so technical a sense as to resemble a proper name; and it is best connected with the phrase "having cleansed it," thus being coordinated, not subordinated, to the "laver of the water." Accordingly it would seem to signify all that element of baptism which is "in word"--that is, the question of faith, "the answer of a good conscience" (1Peter 3:21), and, lastly, the solemn formula of baptism "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." If we are to single out any of these, we must surely (with Chrysostom) take the last. But it is better to embrace the whole, and so include the whole spiritual element of baptism, both the acceptance of faith on the part of man, and the grace-giving blessing of God.To "sanctify" is here to consecrate to Himself (comp. John 17:17; John 17:19) after purification. In the same connection we have in 1Corinthians 6:11, "Ye were washed, ye were sanctified, ye were justified." In virtue of such consecration the Church visible is "holy" in idea and in capacity--the Church invisible here (which will be the Church triumphant hereafter), holy in the actual purity which becomes a consecrated nature. Of such consecration baptism is unquestionably the means; as we see in command in Matthew 28:19, and in fact in Acts 2:38; Acts 2:41. . . .