Devine Scripture

Ephesians 5:26

What does Ephesians 5:26 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 5:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 5:26 means

Christ’s self-giving had a purpose: “that he might sanctify it,” cleansing the church “by the washing of water with the word.” The imagery joins cleansing and consecration. “The word” is the gospel by which Christ calls and purifies His people; the “washing of water” evokes the cleansing associated with conversion and baptism without reducing grace to a mere ritual. Christ does not just forgive; He renews, setting the church apart as holy. For husbands, this means loving in ways that encourage their wives’ spiritual growth, supporting them with truth and care, mirroring Christ’s aim for His bride’s holiness and vitality.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So that he might make it holy, having made it clean with the washing of water by the word,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

that he might sanctify it, having cleansed <FI>it<Fi> with the bathing of the water in the saying,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That he might sanctify it, cleansing it by the laver of water in the word of life:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

in order that he might sanctify it, purifying [it] by the washing of water by [the] word,

Context

Building on the command to husbands to love like Christ (v. 25), Paul now reveals Christ’s purpose in His sacrificial love: the church’s sanctification and cleansing through the word. Verse 27 will carry this further to the church’s final presentation in glory. Then verses 28–30 will apply the analogy back to husbands, emphasizing care for wives as one’s own body. The flow shows that Christlike love is purposeful—aimed at another’s holiness, not mere sentiment.

v.25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it;

v.26This passage

v.27that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 15:8

    Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so shall ye be my disciples.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:11

    And such were some of you: but ye were washed, but ye were sanctified, but ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.

  • Hebrews 10:10

    By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

  • 1 John 5:6

    This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood.

  • Acts 22:16

    And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.

  • 1 Peter 3:21

    which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Ephesians 5

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Ephesians 5.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Ephesians 5:26.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary