Ephesians 5:26

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

That {G2443} he {G846} might sanctify {G37} and cleanse it {G2511} with the washing {G3067} of water {G5204} by {G1722} the word {G4487},

Complete Jewish Bible

in order to set it apart for God, making it clean through immersion in the mikveh, so to speak,

Berean Standard Bible

to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ephesians 5:26 reveals the profound purpose of Christ's sacrificial love for His church: to sanctify and cleanse her. This verse portrays Christ as the divine Bridegroom actively preparing His bride, the church, for Himself, making her holy and pure through a spiritual washing that is accomplished by the transformative power of His revealed Word. It underscores the active, ongoing work of Christ in purifying and consecrating His people, setting them apart for His divine purposes and ultimate glory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ephesians 5:26 is an integral part of Paul's extended analogy of Christ and the church as the ultimate pattern for marriage. Following the pivotal command in [Ephesians 5:25](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25 - Christ's Love for the Church"), where husbands are exhorted to love their wives "as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her," verse 26 elaborates on the *purpose* of that self-giving love. This passage is situated within the latter half of Ephesians (chapters [Ephesians 4](/ephesians/4 "Ephesians 4 - Unity in the Body of Christ")-[Ephesians 6](/ephesians/6 "Ephesians 6 - Christian Households and Spiritual Warfare")), which transitions from deep theological exposition on God's eternal plan and the nature of the church (chapters [Ephesians 1](/ephesians/1 "Ephesians 1 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")-[Ephesians 3](/ephesians/3 "Ephesians 3 - Paul's Ministry to the Gentiles")) to practical exhortations for Christian living. The overarching theme is walking in a manner worthy of one's calling in Christ, specifically emphasizing unity, holiness, and submission within various relationships, with Christ's example as the supreme standard for all.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world, marriage was a foundational social institution, often involving elaborate betrothal and wedding rituals. A key aspect of ancient weddings was the bride's preparation, which often included ritualistic bathing and adorning herself to be presented pure and beautiful to her groom. Paul leverages this familiar imagery to explain a profound spiritual reality. The concept of "sanctification" (being set apart) and "cleansing" was also deeply rooted in Old Testament sacrificial and purification laws, where ritual washing was essential for approaching God or participating in sacred rites. The audience, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers, would have understood these concepts, whether from a background of Mosaic Law or common cultural practices related to purity and presentation. The church, as the "bride of Christ," is thus depicted as undergoing a divine preparation, making her fit for union with her holy Bridegroom.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes found throughout Ephesians and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Christ's active and ongoing work in the church's sanctification**, emphasizing that holiness is not merely a human endeavor but a divine process initiated and sustained by Christ Himself. Secondly, it underscores the **purity and holiness expected of the church**, which is presented as Christ's beloved bride, reflecting His own spotless character. This theme of purity is echoed in passages like [2 Corinthians 11:2](/2_corinthians/11-2 "2 Corinthians 11:2 - Betrothal to Christ") where Paul speaks of presenting the church as a "pure virgin to Christ." Thirdly, the verse powerfully affirms the **transformative power of God's Word**. The "word" is identified as the means by which this spiritual washing and purification occurs, aligning with Jesus' prayer in [John 17:17](/john/17-17 "John 17:17 - Sanctification by Truth"), "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." This reveals the indispensable role of Scripture in the believer's and the church's spiritual growth and purification, a theme central to Christian discipleship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sanctify (Greek, _hagiázō'_):** From G37, meaning "to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate." In this context, it signifies Christ's act of setting the church apart for Himself, dedicating her exclusively to God's service and purposes. It implies a separation from common or profane use and a consecration to sacred use, making the church holy in character and purpose.
* **cleanse (Greek, _katharízō'_):** From G2511, meaning "to cleanse (literally or figuratively):--(make) clean(-se), purge, purify." This word emphasizes the removal of moral and spiritual defilement, sin, and impurity. Together with "sanctify," it portrays a comprehensive process of making the church pure and acceptable, removing anything that would mar her relationship with Christ or hinder her holiness.
* **washing (Greek, _loutrón'_):** From G3067, meaning "a bath, i.e. (figuratively), baptism." While literally referring to a bath, in this spiritual context, it signifies a profound act of purification. It is a symbolic washing, akin to a bride's preparatory bath, signifying spiritual regeneration and purification from sin, as seen in other New Testament references to "the washing of regeneration" ([Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - The Washing of Regeneration")).
* **word (Greek, _rhēma'_):** From G4487, meaning "an utterance (individually, collectively or specially); by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute)." In this verse, "the word" refers to the divine utterance, the gospel message, the authoritative and life-giving truth of God revealed through Scripture. It is not merely human words, but the powerful, active, and transformative Word of God that serves as the instrument of sanctification and cleansing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That he might sanctify and cleanse it":** This clause directly states the purpose of Christ's self-giving love mentioned in [Ephesians 5:25](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25 - Christ's Love for the Church"). Christ's ultimate goal is to make His church holy (`hagiázō`) and pure (`katharízō`). This is an active, intentional work of Christ, demonstrating His profound commitment to His bride. "It" refers to the church, personified as the bride.
* **"with the washing of water":** This phrase describes the *means* or *instrument* of the cleansing. The "washing of water" (`loutrón tou hýdatos`) is a powerful metaphor for spiritual purification. While it may allude to baptism as an outward sign of an inward reality, its primary emphasis here is on the spiritual cleansing that takes place, preparing the church for Christ. It evokes imagery of a bride being bathed and prepared for her wedding day, symbolizing purity and readiness.
* **"by the word":** This crucial phrase (`en rhēmati`) clarifies the *agent* or *instrumentality* through which the washing of water (spiritual purification) occurs. The Greek preposition `en` (G1722) indicates the means or instrument. It is not the physical water itself that cleanses, but the divine "word" (`rhēma`)—the truth of the gospel, the teaching of Christ, and the revelation of God's will found in Scripture. It is through hearing, believing, and applying God's authoritative and life-giving message that individuals and the collective church are transformed, purified, and set apart for God.

#### Literary Devices
Ephesians 5:26 is rich with literary devices that amplify its theological depth. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the relationship between Christ and the church is likened to that of a husband and wife, specifically a bridegroom and his bride. This central metaphor frames the entire passage, allowing Paul to convey profound truths about Christ's sacrificial love and the church's identity. Within this, **Symbolism** is evident in "the washing of water," which symbolizes spiritual purification and regeneration, echoing ancient purification rites and potentially alluding to baptism. The "word" also functions symbolically as the active, life-giving agent of this cleansing. Furthermore, the verse employs **Personification**, presenting the church as a living entity—a bride—that is actively sanctified and cleansed by Christ. This anthropomorphic portrayal makes the abstract concept of the church more relatable and emphasizes the intimate, personal nature of Christ's relationship with His people. The combination of these devices creates a vivid and impactful image of Christ's profound love and His ongoing work to prepare a holy and spotless bride for Himself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 5:26 profoundly illustrates the active and ongoing work of Christ in the life of the believer and the corporate body of the church. It underscores that sanctification is not merely a human endeavor but a divine process initiated and sustained by Christ Himself, rooted in His sacrificial love. This verse highlights the essential role of God's Word as the primary instrument of spiritual cleansing and transformation, emphasizing that genuine purity and holiness are achieved through engagement with divine truth. The imagery of the church as a purified bride underscores her unique identity as set apart for Christ, destined for a glorious union with Him, and called to reflect His holiness in the world. This preparation is not just for an eschatological future but is an active, present reality for the church.

* [John 15:3](/john/15-3 "John 15:3 - Clean Through the Word")
* [Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - The Washing of Regeneration")
* [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified by Christ's Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ephesians 5:26 offers profound insights for both individual believers and the collective church, calling us to a deeper appreciation of Christ's work and our role in it. For the individual, it reminds us that our holiness is not self-generated but is a gift and an ongoing process initiated by Christ through His Word. This should foster humility and a deep reliance on Scripture as the means by which we are continually purified and set apart for God's purposes. It encourages us to immerse ourselves in the truth of God's Word, allowing it to expose sin, renew our minds, and transform our lives. For the church, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of her identity as Christ's beloved bride, called to reflect His purity and holiness to the world. It challenges us to pursue corporate purity, to live in accordance with the truth we proclaim, and to ensure that our practices and teachings are continually aligned with the cleansing power of God's Word. Ultimately, it calls us to live in light of our glorious future, as a church being prepared by Christ Himself, spotless and blameless, for His eternal presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Christ's active role in sanctifying and cleansing the church impact your personal pursuit of holiness?**
* **In what specific ways do you allow "the word" to wash and purify your mind and heart daily?**
* **How can your local church more intentionally embrace its identity as Christ's "sanctified and cleansed" bride?**
* **What impurities, individually or corporately, might be hindering the church's reflection of Christ's spotless character?**

### FAQ
**What does "the washing of water by the word" specifically refer to?**

Answer: This phrase refers to the spiritual purification and regeneration that occurs through the instrumentality of God's Word. While it may allude to Christian baptism as an outward symbol of an inward reality, its primary emphasis is on the cleansing power of divine truth. The "washing of water" is a metaphor for spiritual purification, and "by the word" clarifies that this cleansing is accomplished through the gospel message and the teaching of Scripture. It's the truth of God, proclaimed and received, that transforms and purifies the heart and life of the believer, setting them apart for God. This is consistent with [John 17:17](/john/17-17 "John 17:17 - Sanctification by Truth"), where Jesus prays, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

**Is this verse talking about water baptism?**

Answer: While some interpretations connect "the washing of water" to water baptism, the phrase "by the word" is crucial for understanding the primary means of cleansing. The emphasis is on the *spiritual* washing effected by the *Word* of God, rather than the physical act of baptism itself being the sole or primary agent of sanctification. Baptism is a powerful symbol and outward declaration of an inward spiritual reality, but the verse attributes the actual sanctifying and cleansing power to the divine "word" or truth. The spiritual reality symbolized by baptism (regeneration and purification) is accomplished through the transformative power of the gospel, which is God's Word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 5:26 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is both the loving Bridegroom and the active Agent of sanctification. His self-giving love, as described in [Ephesians 5:25](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25 - Christ's Love for the Church"), is the foundational act that enables the church's purification. Christ, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, provided the ultimate cleansing from sin, making it possible for humanity to be reconciled to a holy God. He is the one who "loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood" ([Revelation 1:5](/revelation/1-5 "Revelation 1:5 - Washed by His Blood")). Furthermore, the "word" by which the church is cleansed is ultimately His own word, the gospel of salvation that He proclaimed and commissioned His apostles to preach ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). He is the living Word ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God")), and His teachings, revealed in Scripture, continually purify and transform His people. The ultimate goal of this sanctification is for Christ to present the church to Himself "without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless" ([Ephesians 5:27](/ephesians/5-27 "Ephesians 5:27 - A Holy and Blameless Church")), a glorious bride perfectly prepared for eternal union with her divine Bridegroom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 15:3

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Hebrews 10:22

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

John 17:17

¶ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

John 17:19

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Ezekiel 36:25

¶ Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

John 3:5

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:11

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.