Ephesians 5:26 kjv
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Ephesians 5:26 nkjv
that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
Ephesians 5:26 niv
to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
Ephesians 5:26 esv
that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
Ephesians 5:26 nlt
to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word.
Ephesians 5 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eph 5:26 | that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word | Cross-reference from OT and NT |
| John 15:3 | You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you | John 15:3 |
| Titus 3:5 | he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit | Titus 3:5 |
| 1 Pet 1:22 | Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart | 1 Pet 1:22 |
| Acts 20:28 | Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. | Acts 20:28 |
| Col 1:22 | yet now he has reconciled you in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him | Col 1:22 |
| Rev 22:14 | Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by its gates | Rev 22:14 |
| Heb 10:22 | let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water | Heb 10:22 |
| Rom 12:1-2 | I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. | Rom 12:1-2 |
| John 17:17 | Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. | John 17:17 |
| 1 Cor 6:11 | And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. | 1 Cor 6:11 |
| Eph 4:22-24 | to put off your old self, which belongs to your former conduct and is corrupted through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. | Eph 4:22-24 |
| 2 Cor 7:1 | Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. | 2 Cor 7:1 |
| 1 Cor 1:2 | To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: | 1 Cor 1:2 |
| Heb 9:13-14 | For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are unclean, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, through the eternal Spirit, offer himself without bnillemish to God purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God? | Heb 9:13-14 |
| Rev 7:14 | I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." | Rev 7:14 |
| Eph 4:12 | to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ | Eph 4:12 |
| Eph 4:30 | And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. | Eph 4:30 |
| Eph 5:27 | so that he might present the church to himself in splendor without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. | Eph 5:27 |
| Eph 1:4 | even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. | Eph 1:4 |
Ephesians 5 verses
Ephesians 5 26 Meaning
This verse instructs believers to cleanse themselves and the church, akin to washing something that has been sanctified, with the application of Christ's Word to purify and perfect the church, ultimately presenting it blameless before God.
Ephesians 5 26 Context
Ephesians 5:26 is part of a larger section within Ephesians that instructs believers on living a transformed life as followers of Christ. Paul is speaking about the relationship between Christ and the church, describing Christ as the divine husband and the church as his bride. He explains how Christ loves the church and gave himself up for her, establishing the church as holy and pure. This verse further elaborates on the means by which Christ sanctifies and cleanses the church. The preceding verses (5:22-24) lay the groundwork for submission within the church, relating it to Christ's headship over the church.
Historically, this imagery would resonate with the marital customs and expectations of the Greco-Roman world, where purity and presentation of a bride were of utmost importance. The concept of a divine purification ritual, linked to the spoken word, would have been both powerful and distinct from contemporary pagan rituals.
Ephesians 5 26 Word Analysis
- ἵνα (hina): "so that," "in order that." Indicates purpose or intention. Christ's action of cleansing is purposeful.
- ἁγιάσῃ (hagiase): "sanctify," "make holy." From the root word ἅγιος (hagios), meaning "holy," "set apart." Christ's goal is to set the church apart unto God.
- αὐτήν (autē): "her," referring to the church.
- καθαρίσας (katharisas): "having cleansed." Aorist participle, indicating a completed action in the past or a continuous process leading to a definite result. The cleansing is intrinsically linked to Christ's redemptive work.
- τῷ (tō): "the." Definite article, used with the dative case.
- λουτρῷ (loutrō): "bath," "washing," "cleansing." Refers to a washing ceremony, likely alluding to baptism, but more profoundly to the spiritual washing received through Christ's work. The word "louterion" is used in Titus 3:5 for the "washing of regeneration."
- τοῦ (tou): "of the." Genitive article.
- ὕδατος (hudatos): "water." Refers to literal water, but often symbolizes purity and cleansing, especially in spiritual contexts. It's linked to a purifying agent.
- καὶ (kai): "and." Connects "water" and "the Word."
- τῷ (tō): "the."
- ῥήματι (rhēmati): "word." Specifically refers to the spoken word, divine instruction, or the entirety of God's message. In this context, it's inseparable from Christ's purifying work.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "the washing of water with the Word": This phrase is a significant theological statement. It does not suggest water baptism alone is sufficient, nor does it mean the "Word" alone literally washes. Instead, it speaks of a spiritual purification achieved through Christ, where the agency of the Word (Christ's declaration, His Gospel, His established truth) is the medium and instrument. It signifies a thorough, comprehensive cleansing that renews and purifies believers in their inner being and outward life. It is a spiritual reality accomplished through the application of divine truth and Christ's sacrifice. Some interpretations view this as a direct reference to the spiritual impact of baptismal regeneration and the ongoing application of God's Word to believers' lives. The "washing" is a purifying act tied to divine communication.
Ephesians 5 26 Bonus Section
The phrase "washing of water with the Word" is unique in its formulation. While "washing of water" appears elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Titus 3:5, John 3:5 in reference to baptism), the inclusion of "with the Word" emphasizes that the efficacy of this washing is intrinsically tied to divine revelation and Christ's spoken truths, not just the water itself. It underscores that genuine cleansing is both a sacramental and a verbal, doctrinal reality. It’s a profound statement about the Word of God being the instrumental cause in applying the purifying effects of Christ’s finished work to the church, leading to her perfect presentation.
Ephesians 5 26 Commentary
Christ's love for the church is expressed in His desire to purify her completely. This purification is achieved through a divine washing, which is described as "the washing of water with the Word." This signifies a holistic cleansing—spiritual, moral, and doctrinal. The "water" represents the cleansing power associated with God's action (evoking baptismal imagery), while "the Word" points to the truth of God's message and Christ's own declaration that leads to spiritual renewal and sanctification. It's through the potent application of divine truth and Christ's redemptive work that the church is made holy and presented blameless before God, free from any imperfection. The ongoing application of God's Word is crucial for continued spiritual purity in the life of the believer and the church corporate.
Optional practical examples:
- A believer habitually engaging with Scripture, prayer, and teaching allows the Word to cleanse their thoughts and actions.
- The church community holding to sound doctrine and correcting error in love, as guided by the Word, contributes to corporate purification.