Charles Ellicott 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.—The original is more emphatic—that He might Himself present it to Himself. This presentation usually belonged to the “paranymph,” or “friend of the bridegroom,” to whom John the Baptist compares himself in John 3:29 (where see Note). Paul himself assumes that office in 2 Corinthians 11:2, I have espoused (or rather, betrothed) you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. Here, however, all is of Christ. He, as Paranymph, comes down to seek and to save His Bride; He, as Bridegroom, receives her in His heavenly home.

A glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle . . .—Properly, (that He might present) the Church as glorious, not having a spot (i.e., a stain on its purity), or a wrinkle (i.e., a defect in its beauty and freshness of life); but that it may be holy (not merely consecrated to holiness) and without blemish (as He is without blemish). On these last words see Note on Ephesians 1:4. They are most commonly sacrificial, corresponding to the sacrificial use of the word “present.” Here, however, they are clearly seen to refer to the nuptial metaphor, based on the preceding context.

In all this we have a picture which properly belongs to the Church in glory, and which is fully drawn out under the same metaphor as Revelation 19:7-9; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 21:9–10; for only in it can the description be fully realised. In capacity and promise it belongs to the whole Church militant; in reality, but in imperfection, to the Church invisible on earth; in absolute perfection to the Church triumphant in heaven.