and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.
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...
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.
he--The oldest manuscripts and authorities read, "That He might Himself present unto Himself the Church glorious," namely, as a bride (Co2 11:2). Holiness and glory are inseparable. "Cleansing" is the necessary preliminary to both. Holiness is glory internal; glory is holiness shining forth outwardly. The laver of baptism is the vehicle, but the word is the nobler and true instrument of the cleansing [BENGEL].