What does Jesus Christ do for the church in Ephesians 5:26?
In Ephesians 5:26, Jesus Christ sanctifies and cleanses the church with the washing of water by the Word. This is not baptismal water but the Word itself, as believers inundate themselves with Scripture, and it has a cleansing effect. So the church is cleansed by the Word.
Les explains that in Ephesians 5:26, Paul is talking about Gentile believers, members of the body of Christ. All the things dealt with in Ephesians bring us to this place: the Lord Jesus Himself sanctifies and cleanses the church. The washing of water is not baptismal water but the Word. Les emphasizes that we literally inundate ourselves with the Word, and it has a cleansing effect.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Who is Paul talking about in Ephesians 5:26?
Paul is referring to Gentile believers, the members of the body of Christ. In Ephesians 5:26, the Lord Jesus himself sanctifies and cleanses them with the washing of water—not baptismal water, but the Word. Believers are cleansed by being inundated with the Word, which has a cleansing effect.
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.
More Questions
Why did Christ give Himself for the church according to Ephesians 5:25-26?
Christ gave Himself for the church in order that He might sanctify and cleanse it.
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.