But ye are washed. The word here used (aKiKova-aa^^i) is in the middle voice, and therefore may be rendered, ye have washed yourselves^ or^ permitted yoitrsdves to he washed; or, as the majority of commentators prefer, on account of the following passives, ye were loashed. This use of the First Aorist Middle in a passive sense is very unusual, but not un- authorized; see 1 Cor. 10, 2. It does not seem to be of much moment whether the word be taken here as active or as pas- sive, for the same thing may be expressed in either form. Men are called upon to wash away their sins. Acts 22, 16 ; to put off the old man, etc. and to put on the new man, Eph. 4, 22. 24 ; although the change expressed by these terms is elsewhere referred to God. The reason of this is, that a human and a divine agency are combined in the effects thus produced. We work our own salvation, while God works in us, Phil. 2, 12. 13. With equal propriety, therefore, Paul might say to the Co- rinthians, ' Ye washed yourselves ; ' or, ' Ye were washed.' To wash means to purify, and is frequently used in Scripture to express moral or spiritual purification. Is. 1, 16, "Wash ye, make you clean." Ps. 51, 7, " Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Jer. 4, 14. In these and many other passages the word expresses general purification, without exclusive reference to guilt or to pollution. There is no reason why it should not be taken in this general sense here, and the phrase be rendered, either, ' Ye have purified yourselves,' or, * Ye are purified.' The reference which so many assume to bap- tism, does not seem to be authorized by any thing in the context.
But ye are sanctified. This clause is either an amplifica- tion of the preceding one, expressing one aspect or effect of the washing spoken of, viz., their holiness ; or, it is to be understood of their separation and consecration. * Ye have not only been purified, but also set apart as a peculiar people.' In Scripture, any thing is said to be sanctified that is devoted to the service of God. Thus, God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. Gen. 2, 3. Moses sanctified the people, Ex. 19, 14, &c. &c.
But ye are justified. As to justify in Scripture always means to pronounce righteous, or to declare just in the sight of the law, it must be so understood here. The Corinthians had not only been purified and consecrated, but also justified, i. e. clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and on that ac- count accepted as righteous in the sight of God. They were