Why did Christ give Himself for the church according to Ephesians 5?
Christ gave Himself for the church, His body, to sanctify and cleanse it by the washing of water through the Word, so He might present it to Himself a glorious church without spot, wrinkle, or blemish—holy and blameless, reflecting His union with believers.
Les explains that Ephesians 5:25 is set in the marriage relationship, where Christ's relationship to members of the Body of Christ is identical to that of husband and wife. Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it so He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word—not baptismal water, but the water of the Word; this Book is the cleansing agent. He did this that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without blemish. Les also notes we are members of His body, His flesh, and His bones, spiritually integrated with Christ—in Him and He in us. This is the great mystery Paul speaks concerning Christ and the church.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
More Questions
Who is the church that Christ loved and gave Himself for in Ephesians 5:25?
In Ephesians 5:25, when Paul speaks of the church Christ loved and gave Himself for, he is speaking of us believers, we who are members of the body of Christ.
Who is Paul talking about in Ephesians 5:25 when he says Christ gave Himself for it?
The 'us' for whom Christ gave Himself in Ephesians 5:25 is believers—those who are members of the body of Christ—not Israel or some other group.