Albert Barnes Commentary Ephesians 5:27

"that 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." — Ephesians 5:27 (ASV)

That he might present it to himself. In the last day, when he will receive the church as his spouse to heaven (Revelation 21:9). Perhaps the word prepare would better express the sense here than present—that he may prepare it for himself as a holy church. Tyndale renders it, "to make it unto himself."

A glorious Church. A church full of honour, splendour, beauty. The idea of shining, or of being bright, would convey the sense here. Probably there is still an allusion here to a bride adorned for her husband (Revelation 21:2; Psalms 45:9–14); and the idea is that the church will be worthy of the love of the Bridegroom, to whom it will then be presented.

Not having spot. Not having a stain, a defect, or any impurity—still retaining the allusion to a bride, and to the care taken to remove every blemish.

Or wrinkle. In the vigor and beauty of youth; like a bride in whom there is no wrinkle of age.

Or any such thing. Nothing to deform, disfigure, or offend. To this beautiful illustration of the final glory of the church, the apostle was led by the mention of the relation of the husband and the wife. It shows:

1. The tendency of the thoughts of Paul. He delighted to allow the associations in his mind, no matter what the subject was, to draw him along to the Redeemer.

2. The passage here shows us what the church will yet be. There will be a period in its history when there will not be any imperfection; when there will be neither spot, nor wrinkle, nor any such thing. In heaven all will be pure. On earth we are preparing for that world of purity; and it cannot be denied that here there is much that is imperfect and impure.

   But in that future world, where the church will be presented to Christ, clothed in the robes of salvation, there will not be one unholy member, one deceiver or hypocrite, one covetous or avaricious man, one that will pain the hearts of the friends of purity by an unholy life.

   And in all the millions that will be gathered there out of every land, and people, and tongue, and age, there will be no envy, malice, backbiting, pride, vanity, worldliness; there will be no annoying and vexing conflict in the heart with evil passions, nor any such thing. How different from the church as it is now; and how we should pant for that blessed world!