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Ephesians 5:26

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Ephesians 5:26 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,
Ephesians 5:26 — American Standard Version

Context — Ephesians 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the church, [being] himself the saviour of the body.
24But as the church is subject to Christ, so [let] the wives also [be] to their husbands in everything.
25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it;
26that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,
27that 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.
28Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself:
29for no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as Christ also the church;
← Ephesians 5:25Ephesians 5:27 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“sanctify--that is, consecrate her to God. Compare Joh 17:19, meaning, "I devote Myself as a holy sacrifice, that My disciples also may be devoted or consecrated as holy in (through) the truth" [NEANDER] (Heb 2:11; Heb 10:10; Heb 13:12 see on Heb 10:10). and cleanse--rather, as Greek, "cleansing," without the "and." with the washing of water--rather as Greek, "with," or "by the laver of the water," namely, the baptismal water. So it ought to be translated in Tit 3:5, the only other passage in the New Testament where it occurs. As the bride passed through a purifying bath before marriage, so the Church (compare Rev 21:2). He speaks of baptism according to its high ideal and design, as if the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“That he might sanctify - The great object of the Redeemer was to purify and save the church. The meaning here is, that a husband is to manifest similar love toward his wife, and a similar desire that she should be prepared to “walk before him in white”. And cleanse it with the washing of water - In all this there is an allusion doubtless to the various methods of purifying and cleansing those who were about to be married, and who were to be united to monarchs as their brides. In some instances this previous preparation continued for twelve months. The means of purification were various, but consisted usually in the use of costly unguents; see Esther 2:12. “Six months with oil of myrrh, and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“That he might sanctify it through the word - The ordinary channel of all blessings. Having cleansed it - From the guilt and power of sin. By the washing of water - In baptism; if, with "the outward and visible sign," we receive the "inward and spiritual grace." Ephesians 5:27”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:26 washed by the cleansing of God’s word: The church has been cleansed by the message of good news. God has forgiven the sins of his people through Christ’s sacrificial death (John 15:3; cp. Titus 3:5; 1 Pet 3:21).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he: Joh 17:17-19; Act 26:18; Co1 6:11; Tit 2:14; Heb 9:14, Heb 10:10; Pe1 1:2; Jde 1:1 with: Eze 16:9, Eze 36:25; Zac 13:1; Joh 3:5; Act 22:16; Tit 3:5-7; Heb 10:22; Pe1 3:21; Jo1 5:6 by: Joh 15:8, Joh 17:7; Jam 1:18; Pe1 1:22, Pe1 1:23 Ephesians 5:27”
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Related study paths

Read Ephesians 5 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification