What does 'the washing of water by the Word' mean in Ephesians 5:26?
The washing of water by the Word refers to cleansing by Scripture, not baptismal water. Christ sanctifies and cleanses the church through the Word so He can present it to Himself glorious, holy, set apart, without spot, wrinkle, or blemish.
Les explains that Ephesians 5:26 describes Christ loving the church and giving Himself for it so that He might sanctify and cleanse it. The washing of water by the Word is not baptismal water; it is Scripture. This cleansing prepares the church, the body, the called-out assembly, to be presented to Himself glorious, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy, set apart, without blemish. Les connects this to husbands loving their wives as their own bodies, and to the truth that believers are members of His body, of His flesh and bones, made one with Christ.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
More Questions
What is the washing of water by baptism that Ephesians 5:26 mentions?
The cleansing by 'the washing of water' in Ephesians 5 is done by the Word, not by water baptism.
Does Ephesians 5:26 say that baptismal water cleanses the church?
In Ephesians 5:26, the 'washing of water by the Word' means cleansing by Scripture, not by baptismal water.
How does Ephesians describe the daily cleansing of a believer?
Ephesians teaches that the believer's daily cleansing comes through the Word, not through a tub of water or a washcloth.