Note 12 at Eph. 5:27: Some people see the church as getting weaker and weaker with Jesus snatching us out of the earth just before we die. That's not what Paul is presenting here. The Lord is not coming back for a weak, pathetic, defiled bride. He's coming back for a glorious church (see note 7 at 1 Cor. 15:25, p. 959).

Certainly, we are supposed to be as chaste and holy as possible in the flesh for the Lord. But this gloriousness and victory that is described here is beyond our actions. This is describing the spiritual condition of the church that exists regardless of our performance (see note 10 at 2 Cor. 5:18, p. 1006).

Note 13 at Eph. 5:27: The Greek word that was translated "wrinkle" here is RHUTIS and means "a folding (as drawing together), i.e. wrinkle (especially on the face)" (Strong). So, this is not talking about a wrinkle as in clothes but a wrinkle as on the face. It is a word picture that the body of Christ is not worn and weather beaten. We are glorious in the spirit realm and in the sight of God.

Note 14 at Eph. 5:27: A good wife wants to be glorious, without spot and wrinkle for her husband. She will stop at nothing to make herself beautiful. In this passage the difference is that the bride can do nothing to make herself beautiful. It was the work of Christ upon the cross-as He gave Himself for the church-that made her washed, cleansed, glorious, without spot and wrinkle, and set apart to Him.