Ephesians 5:27 27in order that he might present the church to himself in glory, without spot or wrinkle or any such things, but in order that she might be holy and without blemish.
This is a second purpose clause in the sentence that began in verse 25. This purpose is linked to the conclusion of verse 26 and how Christ sanctifies the church through the word. The purpose of this sanctifying is to present a holy church to himself. This is an interesting concept. Christ prepares the church through sanctification as a gift to himself. To be “in Christ” requires that one be transformed through grace into his holy likeness. The church must be holy in order to be who God intends it to be and for the church to be in his holy presence since only that which is holy can be near God. This sanctification is available because of what Christ has done on the cross for us. This verse is eschatological (“last things”) and deals with the “end” or “goal” of time. The church can experience this sanctifying power now as each individual experiences new life in Christ. Although the church is made of individuals, Paul is not writing here about individuals but the church as the whole. The bond of unity within the church is strengthened and confirmed by individuals who experience new life.
Paul writes in Romans 3:23 that everyone has fallen short of God’s “glory.” Now, he gives the Ephesians the goal of our existence: to return to the experience of God’s glory for which we were created. Adam and Eve experienced God’s glorious presence in the garden of Eden. There was no sin to separate them from God. Sometime terrible happened when they ate some of the forbidden fruit that resulted in a fall from this glory. This problem has been inherited by all people and is evident in the lifestyle of ignorance Paul describes in Ephesians 4:17-19.
This glory is described in five ways. The first three are in the negative and contrasted with the last two positive. The first two fit the image of putting on brand new clothing (see Romans 13:14). First, it is without spot, stain, or blemish, and so it is clean of defects. Second, it is without wrinkle and looks good and so has a good appearance and witness. The third description, or any such things, is undesignated and so inclusive of many possibilities related to defilement or imperfection.
The fourth and fifth are stated as positive contrast (but) of what the church can be through Christ. Holiness is the primary goal so that the church may be qualified to come before God. This holiness is not a matter of human effort but divine grace that is available because of Christ giving himself (verse 25). Holiness is always a matter of grace but requires the human response of consecrated faith and trust in this grace.
This theological statement is given in the context of how husbands should relate to wives. The marriage relationship is best experienced through the God’s grace in Christ. Marriage ought to be the foundation for other types of relationships which a man or woman may have, such as in the church. In the Old Testament, discipleship started in the home. Today, discipleship must also begin in the home. Putting Christ first will make a marriage stronger. A marriage blessed with children can be the first place for spiritual growth of the family. Strong families will lead to strong and mission focused churches. All of this is dependent upon what Christ has done for us.
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