Ephesians 5:26 (KJV)

What does Ephesians 5:26 mean?

Ephesians 5:26 describes Christ’s purpose for the church, the people who belong to him. After saying that Christ gave himself for the church, Paul says Christ intended to make the church holy, or set apart for God, and clean through a washing connected with water and the word.

The image is of a washing that prepares someone for a special occasion. In the surrounding passage, Paul compares Christ’s care for the church to a husband’s care for his wife. Verse 26 is part of that picture, leading toward the presentation of the church in verse 27.

The Greek behind Ephesians 5:26

• “sanctify” — ἁγιάζω (hagiazō): This word carries the sense of making holy or setting apart. Here it describes Christ’s purpose for the church, not merely a physical washing.
• “washing” — λουτρόν (loutron): This word can refer to a bath or washing. It gives the picture of a cleansing bath, rather than simply water being present.
• “word” — ῥῆμα (rhēma): This word often refers to something spoken or a message. In this verse, the washing is linked with a word or message, though Paul does not spell out its exact wording here.

Why Ephesians 5:26 matters

• Christ is the one acting for the church in this sentence. The phrases “he might sanctify” and “cleanse it” describe what Christ does for the church.
• The washing image looks forward to a presentation. Verse 27 speaks of Christ presenting the church to himself, “not having spot, or wrinkle,” which continues the picture of preparation.
• Paul uses this picture within his discussion of marriage. In verse 25, husbands are told to love their wives as Christ loved the church, making Christ’s care the comparison for the passage.