so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
27. That he might present it to himself. He declares what is the design of baptism and of our being washed. It is, that we may live in a holy and unblamable manner before God. We are washed by Christ, not that we may return to our pollution, but that we may retain through our life the purity which we have once received.
Here the apostle begins his exhortation to the discharge of relative duties. As a general foundation for these duties, he lays down that rule Eph 5:21. There is a mutual submission that Christians owe one to another, condescending to bear one another's burdens: not advancing themselves above others, nor domineering over one another and giving laws to one another.
Commenting on Ephesians 5:21-33
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh,.... This is unnatural, contrary to the first principles of nature; see Isa 58:7; which the (u) Jews understand of one that is near akin, and there is none nearer than a wife: but nourisheth and cherisheth it; feeds and clothes it: even as the Lord the church; who never hated her, but nourishes and cherishes her...