Topical Encyclopedia
The term "sanctifies" refers to the act of making something holy, setting it apart for a sacred purpose, or purifying it from sin. In the biblical context, sanctification is a process initiated and completed by God, whereby individuals or objects are consecrated and dedicated to His service. This concept is central to both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting God's desire for His people to be holy as He is holy.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, sanctification often involves rituals and ceremonies that set apart people, places, or objects for God's use. For example, the Sabbath is sanctified as a day of rest and worship: "For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and sanctified it" (
Exodus 20:11). Similarly, the priests and the tabernacle were sanctified through specific rites to serve in the presence of God (
Exodus 29:44).
The concept of sanctification is also applied to the nation of Israel, whom God chose and set apart as His holy people.
Leviticus 20:8 states, "Keep My statutes and practice them. I am the LORD who sanctifies you" . Here, sanctification is both a divine act and a call to obedience, emphasizing the covenant relationship between God and His people.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, sanctification takes on a more personal and spiritual dimension, closely associated with the work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection are central to the believer's sanctification.
Hebrews 10:10 declares, "And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" . This indicates that sanctification is a definitive act accomplished by Christ's atonement.
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the ongoing process of sanctification in the life of a believer.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 states, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" . This verse highlights the transformative work of the Spirit, who empowers believers to live holy lives.
Practical ImplicationsSanctification involves both a positional and progressive aspect. Positionally, believers are sanctified at the moment of salvation, set apart as God's own. Progressively, sanctification is the lifelong process of growing in holiness and conformity to the image of Christ. This dual aspect is evident in
Philippians 2:12-13, which exhorts believers to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good pleasure" .
The call to sanctification is a call to live a life that reflects God's holiness.
1 Peter 1:15-16 urges, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy'" . This pursuit of holiness is not achieved through human effort alone but through reliance on God's grace and the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.
ConclusionSanctification is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, encompassing both the divine act of setting apart and the believer's response in living a holy life. It is a testament to God's transformative power and His desire for His people to reflect His character in the world.
Greek
37. hagiazo -- to make holy, consecrate, sanctify... Origin from hagios Definition to make holy, consecrate, sanctify NASB Word Usage
hallowed (2), keep himself holy (1), sanctified (16),
sanctifies (2), sanctify
...Strong's Hebrew
6942. qadash -- to be set apart or consecrated... my holiness (2), prepare (2), prove myself holy (2), proved himself holy (1), purified
(1), regard as holy (1), sanctified (9),
sanctifies (10), sanctify (12
...Library
The Holy Spirit, Since HeSanctifies Creatures, is Neither a...
... To the Emperor Gratian. Book I. Chapter V. The Holy Spirit, since Hesanctifies
creatures, is neither a creature nor subject to change.?...
That Divine Love More ExcellentlySanctifies the virtues when they...
... SOUL. CHAPTER IV. THAT DIVINE LOVE MORE EXCELLENTLYSANCTIFIES THE VIRTUES
WHEN THEY ARE PRACTISED BY ITS ORDER AND COMMANDMENT. The...
To those who Contend that the Spirit Because He is Called the...
... 25. For as the Fathersanctifies, so, too, the Sonsanctifies, and the
Holy Spiritsanctifies. The Fathersanctifies according to...
Whether Grace is Appropriately Divided into Sanctifying Grace and...
... something. On the contrary, God freely gives him something because he is pleasing
to God. There is therefore no grace whichsanctifies. 2...
Of the violence which May be done to the Body by Another's Lust...
... Nay more, the virtue of holy continence, when it resists the uncleanness of carnal
lust,sanctifies even the body, and therefore when this continence remains...
Texts Explained; Secondly, Psalm Xlv. 7, 8 Whether the Words...
... 2083] .' In saying this He has shown that He is not the sanctified, but the Sanctifier;
for He is not sanctified by other, but Himselfsanctifies Himself, that...
Letter Lxxxix. (AD 406. )
... If, then, when baptism is administered by a man known to be righteous, hesanctifies
the person baptized; but when it is administered by a wicked man, whose...
Sixteenth Day. Holiness and Truth.
... holy. It is not the word thatsanctifies; it is God Himself who alone can sanctify....
Himself. Godsanctifies in the Truth through His word....
Again, when one Speaks of the Holy Spirit as an Object Made Holy.....
... as being sanctified in (the) Spirit. For he who has sanctified one,sanctifies
all things. That man, consequently, belies the fountain...
Articles vii and viii: of the Church.
... the Church, and there are Christians.] And this Church alone is called the body
of Christ, which Christ renews [Christ is its Head, and]sanctifies and governs...
Thesaurus
Sanctifies (14 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Sanctifies (14 Occurrences). Matthew 23:17 You blind fools!
For which is greater, the gold, or the temple that
sanctifies the gold?
...Profane (69 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS). Leviticus 21:15 He shall not profane his seed among his people:
for I am Yahweh whosanctifies him.'" (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)....
Greater (219 Occurrences)
... For which is greater, the gold, or the temple thatsanctifies the gold?... For which
is greater, the gift, or the altar thatsanctifies the gift?...
Important (39 Occurrences)
... For which is greater, the gold, or the temple thatsanctifies the gold? (See NAS)....
For which is greater, the gift, or the altar thatsanctifies the gift?...
Fools (53 Occurrences)
... For which is greater, the gold, or the temple thatsanctifies the gold?... For which
is greater, the gift, or the altar thatsanctifies the gift?...
Sanctifier (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One whosanctifies, or makes holy; specifically,
the Holy Spirit. Multi-Version Concordance Sanctifier (1 Occurrence)....
Blind (91 Occurrences)
... For which is greater, the gold, or the temple thatsanctifies the gold?... For which
is greater, the gift, or the altar thatsanctifies the gift?...
Sacred (140 Occurrences)
... For which is greater, the gold, or the temple thatsanctifies the gold? (See RSV
NIV).... For which is greater, the gift, or the altar thatsanctifies the gift?...
Sanctifieth (21 Occurrences)
Sabbaths (53 Occurrences)
... certainly you shall keep my Sabbaths: for it is a sign between me and you throughout
your generations; that you may know that I am Yahweh whosanctifies you....
Resources
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