Eph 5:27, Jude 24 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 27. That he might present it to himself . In the last day, when he shall receive the church as his spouse to heaven, . Perhaps the word prepare would better express the sense here than present --that he may prepare it for himself as a holy church. Tindal renders it, "to make it unto himself." A glorious Church . A church full of honour, splendour, beauty. The idea of shining, or of being bright, would convey the sense here. Probably there is still here an allusion to a bride "adorned for her husband," ; and the idea is, that the church will be worthy of the love of the Bridegroom, to whom it will then be presented. Not having spot . Not having a stain, a defect, or any impurity--still retaining the allusion to a bride, and to the care taken to remove every blemish. Or wrinkle . In the rigour and beauty of youth; like a bride in whom here is no wrinkle of age. Or any such thing . Nothing to deform, disfigure, or offend. To this beautiful illustration of the final glory of the church, the apostle was led by the mention of the relation of the husband and the wife. It shows (1.) the tendency of the thoughts of Paul. He delighted to allow the associations in his mind, no matter what the subject was, to draw him along to the Redeemer. (2.) The passage here shows us what the church will yet be. There will be a period in its history when there shall not be any imperfection; when there shall be neither spot, nor wrinkle, nor any such thing. In heaven all will be pure. On earth we are preparing for that world of purity; and it cannot be denied that here there is much that is imperfect and impure. But in that future world, where the church shall be presented to Christ, clothed in the robes of salvation, there shall not be one unholy member, one deceiver or hypocrite, one covetous or avaricious man, one that shall pain the hearts of the friends of purity by an unholy life. And in all the millions that shall be gathered there out of every land, and people, and tongue, and age, there shall be no envy malice, backbiting, pride, vanity, worldliness; there shall be no annoying and vexing conflict in the heart with evil passions, "nor any such thing." How different from the church as it is now; and how we should pant for that blessed world! (b) "it to himself" (c) "or wrinkles"

Ephesians 5:27

Verse 27. That he might present it to himself. In the last day, when he shall receive the church as his spouse to heaven, Rev 21:9. Perhaps the word prepare would better express the sense here than present--that he may prepare it for himself as a holy church. Tindal renders it, "to make it unto himself."

A glorious Church. A church full of honour, splendour, beauty. The idea of shining, or of being bright, would convey the sense here. Probably there is still here an allusion to a bride "adorned for her husband," Rev 21:2, Ps 45:9-14; and the idea is, that the church will be worthy of the love of the Bridegroom, to whom it will then be presented.

Not having spot. Not having a stain, a defect, or any impurity--still retaining the allusion to a bride, and to the care taken to remove every blemish.

Or wrinkle. In the rigour and beauty of youth; like a bride in whom here is no wrinkle of age.

Or any such thing. Nothing to deform, disfigure, or offend. To this beautiful illustration of the final glory of the church, the apostle was led by the mention of the relation of the husband and the wife. It shows

(1.) the tendency of the thoughts of Paul. He delighted to allow the associations in his mind, no matter what the subject was, to draw him along to the Redeemer.

(2.) The passage here shows us what the church will yet be. There will be a period in its history when there shall not be any imperfection; when there shall be neither spot, nor wrinkle, nor any such thing. In heaven all will be pure. On earth we are preparing for that world of purity; and it cannot be denied that here there is much that is imperfect and impure. But in that future world, where the church shall be presented to Christ, clothed in the robes of salvation, there shall not be one unholy member, one deceiver or hypocrite, one covetous or avaricious man, one that shall pain the hearts of the friends of purity by an unholy life. And in all the millions that shall be gathered there out of every land, and people, and tongue, and age, there shall be no envy malice, backbiting, pride, vanity, worldliness; there shall be no annoying and vexing conflict in the heart with evil passions, "nor any such thing." How different from the church as it is now; and how we should pant for that blessed world!

(b) "it to himself" Jude 1:24 (c) "or wrinkles" Song 4:7

Jude 24

Verse 24. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling. This ascription to one who was able to keep them from failing is made in view of the facts adverted to in the epistle--the dangers of being led away by the arts and the example of these teachers of error. Comp. Jude 1:3. On the ascription itself, comp. Rom 16:26-27. The phrase "to keep from falling" means here to preserve from falling into sin, from yielding to temptation, and dishonouring their religion. The word used (απταιστους) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means properly, not stumbling, as of a horse; then without falling into sin, blameless. It is God only who, amidst the temptations of the world, can keep us from falling; but, blessed be his name, he can do it, and if we trust in him he will.

And to present you faultless. The word here rendered faultless is the same which is rendered unblamable in Col 1:22. See the sentiment here expressed explained in the Notes on that passage.

Before the presence of his glory. In his own glorious presence; before himself encompassed with glory in heaven. The saints are to be presented there as redeemed and sanctified, and as made worthy by grace to dwell there for ever.

With exceeding joy. With the abounding joy that they are redeemed; that they are rescued from sorrow, sin, and death, and that heaven is to be their eternal home. Who now can form an adequate idea of the happiness of that hour?

(d) "him" Rom 16:25-27 (e) "keep" 2Ti 4:18 (f) "present" Col 1:22