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.
Les explains that in Ephesians 5:26 Paul is talking about Gentile believers, members of the body of Christ. The verse says the God of glory, the Lord Jesus himself, sanctifies and cleanses them with the washing of water. Les stresses that this is not baptismal water but the Word. This is how believers are cleansed: they literally inundate themselves with the Word, and it has a cleansing effect.
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
More Questions
What is the point of all that Paul teaches in Ephesians leading up to verse 5:26?
Everything Paul dealt with earlier in Ephesians leads to the point that the Lord Jesus Christ himself might sanctify and cleanse the church with the washing of water.
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.
What is the 'washing of water by the Word' in Ephesians 5:26?
The 'washing of water' in Ephesians 5:26 is the Word (Scripture), not baptismal water.