That he might sanctifie & cleanse it with the washing of water, by the word,
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
- New American Standard Version (1995)

that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,
- American Standard Version (1901)

So that he might make it holy, having made it clean with the washing of water by the word,
- Basic English Bible

in order that he might sanctify it, purifying [it] by the washing of water by [the] word,
- Darby Bible

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
- Webster's Bible

in order to make her holy, cleansing her with the baptismal water by the word,
- Weymouth Bible

that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,
- World English Bible

and clenside it with the waisching of watir, in the word of lijf,
- Wycliffe Bible

that he might sanctify it, having cleansed [it] with the bathing of the water in the saying,
- Youngs Literal Bible

Wesley's Notes for Ephesians 5:26

5:26 That he might sanctify it through the word - The ordinary channel of all blessings. Having cleansed it - From the guilt and power of sin. By the washing of water - In baptism; if, with the outward and visible sign, we receive the inward and spiritual grace.

People's Bible Notes for Ephesians 5:26

Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify . . . it. The great love of Christ for the church, his bride, is shown as an example to Christian husbands. Christ gave himself for the church. His object was to "sanctify it", make it holy. In order to do this it was needful to cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. All commentators of repute in all bodies refer this to baptism. All in the church pass through the waters of baptism. But the washing of the water would be of no avail without the word. The power is in the word of the Lord which offers the gospel and commands baptism.