Robertson Word Pictures - Ephesians 5:26 - 5:26

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Robertson Word Pictures - Ephesians 5:26 - 5:26


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

That he might sanctify it (hina autēn hagiasēi). Purpose clause with hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of hagiazō. Jesus stated this as his longing and his prayer (Joh 17:17-19). This was the purpose of Christ’s death (Eph 5:25).

Having cleansed it (katharisas). First aorist active participle of katharizō, to cleanse, either simultaneous action or antecedent.

By the washing of water (tōi loutrōi tou hudatos). If loutron only means bath or bathing-place ( = loutron), then loutrōi is in the locative. If it can mean bathing or washing, it is in the instrumental case. The usual meaning from Homer to the papyri is the bath or bathing-place, though some examples seem to mean bathing or washing. Salmond doubts if there are any clear instances. The only other N.T. example of loutron is in Tit 3:5. The reference here seems to be to the baptismal bath (immersion) of water, “in the bath of water.” See note on 1Co 6:11 for the bringing together of apelousasthe and hēgiasthēte. Neither there nor here does Paul mean that the cleansing or sanctification took place in the bath save in a symbolic fashion as in Rom 6:4-6. Some think that Paul has also a reference to the bath of the bride before marriage. Still more difficult is the phrase “with the word” (en rēmati). In Joh 17:17 Jesus connected “truth” with “sanctify.” That is possible here, though it may also be connected with katharisas (having cleansed). Some take it to mean the baptismal formula.