Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

The ultimate aim in view when Christ gave himself up for the church (v.25) was that at the end of the age he might be able to “present” her to himself in unsullied splendor as a bride adorned for her husband (Revelation 21:2). The verb “present” (GK 4225) is used of the presentation of Christ in the temple . Paul himself applies it to the presentation of the church as a pure virgin to Christ her husband (2 Corinthians 11:2). Normally it was the friend of the bridegroom who handed over the bride. But Christ dispenses with all intermediaries, and he alone introduces the bride to the bridegroom, who paradoxically is himself. As used here, this verb becomes almost equivalent to “make” or “render.” The eschatological church is transformed by Christ so as to be made “all glorious” (Psalms 45:13). No ugly spots or lines of age disfigure the appearance of the bride. The church becomes what it was intended to be—“holy and blameless” (cf. 1:4). All this is possible only because Christ is the Savior of his body (v.23).