Ephesians 5:27

“... so as to present the church to himself in splendour, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind - yes so that she might be holy and without blemish.”

In the previous verses, we read that Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, in order to make her holy. Now the ultimate purpose of this is so that He can present the church to Himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish .

paul has a high view of the church, as can be seen right throughout the letter to the Ephesians. For Paul, the church is not a human institution or a Sunday morning club. No, it is something of cosmic significance, the Bride that the Son of God died to redeem.

so the cross is not just about setting individual sinners free from Hell. That is important, but it is not just that.

When Jesus died, he had in view a church, a race of people that transcends every human division of race, sex or economic class. This is something new that has never been seen in all of creation. A people who are cleansed from every sin and now stand perfectly re-created in holiness and perfection.

Christ will present the church to himself. It seems an odd expression as we usually think of someone or something being presented to someone else. Jesus gave his life for the church, and so He can rightly presented to himself. It is His possession, His trophy, His property.

The church is presented to Christ in Splendour. In Greek the word used here derives from “doxa” the word usually translated as “glory”. The church is presented in glory, not her own glory but the glory of God.

like a bride cleaned up, wearing makeup, wearing the finest of clothes, and looking radiant, so the church is presented to Christ as “splendid.”

We are all too aware of the failings of various expressions of church. Pastors fail, sometimes in terrible and abusive ways. People can be hypocritical and self-righteous. Church can be a cover for child abuse.

but all of that will pass away. The church in its divine calling is something glorious. We might see the grime and dirt, but God sees the hidden splendour.

the church will be without a spot or wrinkle. Not even the smallest of imperfections distract from the true beauty of the church. All of the things that make us despair, the hurtful and criminal things, will be taken away, and the church will be perfect in appearance and in nature. We can be sure of that because of the holiness of God.

we are called to be holy as he is holy. We are set apart for God’s purposes. This calling to holiness will be realised. At the moment, in this life, we are being fashioned into holiness. we are being moulded, crafted, purposed to take a particular position in the church, in the temple which God is creating (Ephesians 2:21-22)

Our destiny is that the church will ultimately be without blemish. This means that every christian, every member of the church, will be without blemish. In this age we struggle with many temptations and fall prey to many sins, but in the age to come, every one of us will be without sin. The things that attract us will no longer seem desirable. We will truly be holy and without blemish.

key points in this verse:

• christ has a goal for the church to be splendid comma without any imperfection.

• salvation is about more than individuals, but a whole body, a bride for Christ

• all of the messy imperfections in the church and in every christian will be completely washed away