Ephesians 5:27

“That he might present it to himself a glorious church, &c.] There is a presentation of the church by Christ to his Father at his death, when he gathered the elect together in one, brought them nigh, and reconciled them to God, and presented them to holy, unblamable, and unreproveable in his sight; and now in heaven, where he represents their persons, appears and makes intercession for them; and at the last day, when he will deliver the whole number of them complete and perfect, in consequence of his suretyship engagements: but this is a presentation of them to himself; and is either in this life, when they are brought to him in raiment of needlework, clothed with his righteousness, and…”

“he--The oldest manuscripts and authorities read, "That He might Himself present unto Himself the Church glorious," namely, as a bride (Co2 11:2). Holiness and glory are inseparable. "Cleansing" is the necessary preliminary to both. Holiness is glory internal; glory is holiness shining forth outwardly. The laver of baptism is the vehicle, but the word is the nobler and true instrument of the cleansing [BENGEL]. It is Christ that prepares the Church with the necessary ornaments of grace, for presentation to Himself, as the Bridegroom at His coming again (Mat 25:1, &c.; Rev 19:7; Rev 21:2). not having spot-- (Sol 4:7). The visible Church now contains clean and unclean together, like Noah's ark;…”

“That he may present it to himself - In the last day, when he shall receive the church as his spouse to heaven; Revelation 21:9. Perhaps the word “prepare” would better express the sense here than “present” - that he may prepare it for himself as a holy church. Tyndale renders it, “to make it unto himself.” A glorious church - A church full of honor, splendor, beauty. The idea of “shining,” or of being “bright,” would convey the sense here. Probably there is still here an allusion to a bride “adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2; compare Psalms 45:9-14); and the ideal is, that the church will be worthy of the love of the bridegroom, to whom it will then be presented. Not having spot -…”

“That he might present it - Even in this world. To himself - As his spouse. A glorious church - All glorious within. Not having spot - Of impurity from any sin. Or wrinkle - Of deformity from any decay. Ephesians 5:28”

“5:27 a glorious church without a . . . blemish: The church’s sins have been forgiven through Christ’s sacrifice, and her life is purified by the Holy Spirit. As a result, the church stands holy and without fault before God. Cp. 1:4; 2 Cor 11:2; Col 1:22; Rev 19:7-8; 21:2.”

“he: Co2 4:14, Co2 11:2; Col 1:22, Col 1:28; Jde 1:24 glorious: Psa 45:13, Psa 87:3; Isa 60:15-20, Isa 62:3; Jer 33:9; Heb 12:22-24; Rev 7:9-17, 21:10-26 not: Sol 4:7; Heb 9:14; Pe1 1:19, Pe1 1:19; Pe2 3:14 but: Eph 1:4; Co2 11:2; Col 1:22, Col 1:28; Th1 5:23; Jde 1:21; Rev 21:27 Ephesians 5:28”