Ephesians 5:27

KJV

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

KJV (with Strong's)

That {G2443} he might present {G3936} it {G846} to himself {G1438} a glorious {G1741} church {G1577}, not {G3361} having {G2192} spot {G4696}, or {G2228} wrinkle {G4512}, or {G2228} any {G5100} such thing {G5108}; but {G235} that {G2443} it should be {G5600} holy {G40} and {G2532} without blemish {G299}.

Complete Jewish Bible

in order to present the Messianic Community to himself as a bride to be proud of, without a spot, wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without defect.

Berean Standard Bible

and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

American Standard Version

that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ephesians 5:27 encapsulates the magnificent purpose of Christ's sacrificial love for His Church: to present her to Himself as a glorious Bride, utterly pure and perfect. This verse reveals the eschatological vision of the Church, cleansed and sanctified by Christ's redemptive work, devoid of any blemish or imperfection, and set apart as holy and blameless, fit for eternal union with her divine Bridegroom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands as the culmination of Paul's profound analogy comparing the relationship between Christ and His Church to that of a husband and wife. Beginning in [Ephesians 5:22](/ephesians/5-22 "Ephesians 5:22 - Wives Submit to Husbands"), Paul exhorts wives to submit to their husbands, then pivots to the far more extensive and foundational command for husbands to love their wives "as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" ([Ephesians 5:25](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25 - Christ's Love for the Church")). The immediate preceding verse, [Ephesians 5:26](/ephesians/5-26 "Ephesians 5:26 - Christ Cleanses the Church"), details the *means* of this love: Christ's self-giving was "that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word." Thus, Ephesians 5:27 presents the glorious *outcome* of this sanctifying and cleansing work, revealing the Church's ultimate state of perfection and splendor when presented to Christ.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a bride being presented to her groom was deeply significant in ancient Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures. A bride's purity and beauty were paramount, often involving extensive preparation, including ritual baths and adorning with fine garments. The concept of being "without spot or wrinkle" would have immediately evoked the ideal of a pristine, youthful, and unblemished bride, ready for the marriage ceremony. Furthermore, the Old Testament sacrificial system, familiar to Paul's Jewish and Gentile Christian audience, frequently required animals to be "without blemish" (e.g., [Leviticus 1:3](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3 - Burnt Offering Requirements")) to be acceptable for offering to God. This cultural and religious backdrop amplifies the profound spiritual reality Paul describes: Christ's work makes His Church perfectly acceptable and beautiful in God's sight, far surpassing any earthly standard of purity.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes woven throughout Ephesians and Paul's broader theology. It underscores the **Sovereignty of Christ** as the active agent in the Church's sanctification and glorification, highlighting His initiative and power. It develops the theme of the **Church as Christ's Body and Bride**, emphasizing the intimate union and profound love between them, a love that leads to ultimate transformation. The verse also speaks to the **Eschatological Hope** of believers, pointing to the future consummation of God's redemptive plan when the Church will be fully perfected and presented to Christ. This perfection is not merely external but involves deep **Spiritual Purity and Holiness**, reflecting the very character of God, a theme central to Paul's ethical exhortations in [Ephesians 4](/ephesians/4 "Ephesians 4 - Living as the Body of Christ") and [Ephesians 5](/ephesians/5 "Ephesians 5 - Walking in Love and Light").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **glorious (Greek, _éndoxos'_):** From *en* (in) and *doxa* (glory), meaning "in glory," splendid, noble, or honorable. It signifies a state of high honor, majesty, and resplendent beauty. When applied to the Church, it denotes a divinely imparted splendor and dignity, reflecting the glory of Christ Himself, making her worthy of presentation to Him.
* **spot (Greek, _spílos'_):** Of uncertain derivation, meaning a stain or blemish, figuratively a defect or disgrace. In this context, it refers to moral impurities, sins, or defilements that would mar the Church's spiritual purity. Its absence signifies the complete removal of all moral imperfections.
* **without blemish (Greek, _ámōmos'_):** From *a* (negative particle) and *mōmos* (blemish), meaning unblemished, faultless, or unblamable. This term was frequently used in the Old Testament for sacrificial animals that had to be physically perfect and without defect to be acceptable to God. Here, it signifies the Church's absolute moral and spiritual perfection, making her completely acceptable and pure in God's sight, suitable for eternal union with Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That he might present it to himself a glorious church,"**: This clause reveals the ultimate purpose and agent of the Church's transformation. Christ Himself is the one who prepares and presents the Church, His Bride, to Himself. The Church is not presented to the world or to others, but to Christ, underscoring the intimate and personal nature of this union. The term "glorious" indicates a state of splendor, honor, and majesty, reflecting the divine beauty imparted by Christ's redemptive work.
* **"not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing;"**: This negative description emphasizes the absolute perfection and purity achieved by Christ's work. "Spot" refers to moral stains or impurities, while "wrinkle" metaphorically suggests the effects of age, wear, or imperfection—a lack of smooth, youthful perfection. "Any such thing" serves as an encompassing phrase, ensuring that no form of defect or blemish, whether moral or metaphorical, remains. This signifies the complete eradication of sin and its defiling effects from the Church.
* **"but that it should be holy and without blemish."**: This positive affirmation defines the perfected state of the Church. "Holy" (Greek: *hagios*) means set apart for God's sacred use, consecrated, and morally pure. "Without blemish" (Greek: *amōmos*) signifies faultless perfection, often used for sacrificial animals without defect. Together, these terms declare the Church's complete moral and spiritual perfection, making her fit for sacred, eternal communion with God and her Bridegroom, Christ.

#### Literary Devices
Ephesians 5:27 is rich in **Metaphor**, primarily extending the central metaphor of the Church as Christ's **Bride**. This imagery powerfully conveys intimacy, love, and the sacred bond between Christ and His people. The verse employs vivid **Imagery** through the use of terms like "spot" (a moral stain or impurity, like a dirty mark) and "wrinkle" (a physical imperfection, suggesting age or wear). These negative images are contrasted with the positive imagery of being "glorious," "holy," and "without blemish," painting a picture of radiant purity and perfection. The structure of the verse also demonstrates **Antithesis**, contrasting what the Church *will not have* ("not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing") with what she *will be* ("but that it should be holy and without blemish"). This rhetorical device highlights the completeness and thoroughness of Christ's sanctifying work, emphasizing the radical transformation from imperfection to absolute purity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ephesians 5:27 speaks profoundly to the doctrine of sanctification and glorification, revealing Christ's ultimate purpose for His Church. It underscores that the Church's purity and perfection are not achieved by human effort but are the direct result of Christ's sacrificial love and ongoing cleansing work. This verse points to an eschatological reality—the Church's final, perfected state at the consummation of history, when she will be presented to Christ in full glory, utterly free from sin and its effects. It assures believers of their ultimate destiny: to be perfectly holy and blameless in God's sight, reflecting the very character of their Savior. This divine transformation is the culmination of God's redemptive plan, securing the Church's eternal union and communion with Christ.

* [Colossians 1:22](/colossians/1-22 "Presented Holy and Blameless")
* [Revelation 21:2](/revelation/21-2 "The New Jerusalem, the Bride")
* [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "Redeemed by Christ's Precious Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ephesians 5:27 offers immense comfort and a profound challenge to every believer and to the Church as a whole. It assures us that our ultimate perfection and blamelessness are secured by Christ's finished work on the cross and His ongoing sanctifying power. This truth should foster deep humility and gratitude, recognizing that our standing before God is entirely due to His grace, not our merit. While we are called to strive for holiness in our daily lives, this verse reminds us that true purity is a divine gift and a future reality guaranteed by Christ. It encourages perseverance in faith, knowing that the Bridegroom is actively preparing His Bride. For the Church collectively, this verse serves as a powerful vision and a call to live out its identity as a people set apart. It challenges us to pursue unity, purity, and a life that reflects the holiness of our Savior, anticipating the glorious day when we will be presented to Him without spot or wrinkle.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the Church as Christ's "glorious bride" impact your understanding of your own spiritual identity and worth?**
* **In what ways does this verse encourage you in your personal pursuit of holiness, knowing that Christ is actively working to make His Church "without spot or wrinkle"?**
* **What practical steps can the Church, as a collective body, take today to better reflect the purity and blamelessness described in this verse?**

### FAQ

**Does "glorious church" mean the Church is already perfect now?**

Answer: No, the verse points to an eschatological reality, meaning a future perfection. While believers are declared righteous and set apart (sanctified) in Christ positionally at conversion, the process of practical sanctification (becoming more like Christ) is ongoing. The "glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle" describes the Church in its ultimate, perfected state at Christ's return, when all sin and its effects will be finally eradicated. It is a promise of what the Church *will be* when presented to her Bridegroom.

**What is the significance of "spot" and "wrinkle"?**

Answer: "Spot" (Greek: *spilos*) refers to moral stains or impurities, representing sin and defilement. "Wrinkle" (Greek: *rhytis*) is a metaphor for the effects of age, wear, or imperfection, suggesting a lack of youthful beauty or vitality. Together, they symbolize every form of moral and spiritual imperfection that would mar the Church's beauty and purity. Their absence signifies Christ's complete and thorough work of cleansing and perfecting His Church, making her absolutely pure and beautiful for Himself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ephesians 5:27 finds its complete fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is both the zealous Bridegroom and the perfecter of His Bride. His sacrificial love, described as "giving himself up for her" in [Ephesians 5:25](/ephesians/5-25 "Christ's Sacrificial Love"), is the foundational act that secures the Church's future glory. It was through His atoning death on the cross that He cleansed us from sin, as foreshadowed in passages like [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Wounds for Our Healing"). The "washing of water with the word" ([Ephesians 5:26](/ephesians/5-26 "Cleansing by the Word")) is His ongoing work of sanctification, applying the truth of His redemptive work to our lives through the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, the vision of a "glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle" is a testament to Christ's power to fully redeem and transform His people, presenting them to Himself as a pure and holy offering, a reality anticipated in [Revelation 21:9](/revelation/21-9 "The Bride, the Wife of the Lamb"). He is the one who "is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy" ([Jude 1:24](/jude/1-24 "God's Power to Preserve")). Thus, the Church's glory is not inherent but is entirely a reflection of the glory of her Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, who perfectly accomplished her redemption and sanctification.

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

Colossians 1:22

In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Hebrews 9:14

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

1 Peter 1:19

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Ephesians 1:4

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

2 Corinthians 11:2

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ.

Song Of Solomon 4:7

Thou [art] all fair, my love; [there is] no spot in thee.

2 Corinthians 4:14

Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present [us] with you.