Last week’s introduction to this topic suggests that this way of God is the most mysterious and challenging of all His ways. We also asserted that the mystery and challenge of holiness has put off most Christians from considering, discussing, and teaching one of God’s great blessings.

God is holy, and He commands us to be the same (1Peter 1:13-16). He provides for everything He requires of His children – by grace, through faith. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the (rhema, meaning spoken) word of God (Romans 10:17). And so, I pray that you hear the word you need to believe in the importance, blessing, and promise of holiness.

Searching out the matter is our initial responsibility. We will do that here by digging deep into the meanings of holiness (hosiotēs), holy (hagios), and a closely related word: sanctify (hagiazō). We will also look at a few passages of Scripture to round out our understanding of God’s answer to the question, “Just what does holiness mean to each of God’s children?”

The Meaning by Definition

I have, on many occasions, discovered the truth of Proverbs 25:2 –

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.

– by simply analyzing the definition of the associated Greek and Hebrew words.

Granted, such an exercise may seem a bit technical to most. The trick, so to speak, is to prayerfully consider the following definitions with attention to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. He is our Teacher, sent to guide us into all truth (John 14:26).

Holiness (hosiotēs; noun, from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, found on Blue Letter Bible): piety toward God, fidelity in observing the obligations of piety, holiness.

Holy/Saints (hagios; adjective/noun, from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, on Blue Letter Bible):

1. Religious awe, reverence; to venerate, revere, especially God and those things He identifies as holy.
   1. Of things (e.g., the holy of holies, the holy land, heaven, the gospel, faith).
   2. Of persons whose services God employs (e.g., apostles, angels, and prophets).
2. Set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His, including:
   1. Jesus;
   2. The nation of Israel;
   3. Christians, as those whom God has selected, that under the influence of the Holy Spirit they may be rendered, through holiness, partakers of salvation in the kingdom of God.
3. Sacrifices and offerings; prepared for God with solemn rite, pure, clean.
4. In a moral sense, pure, sinless, upright, and holy.

Sanctify (hagiazō; verb, from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, on Blue Letter Bible):

1. To make, render or declare sacred or holy, consecrate.
2. To separate from things profane and dedicate to God, to consecrate and so render inviolable. This includes things and persons (see examples above).
   1. Christ is said to be sanctified by undergoing death to consecrate himself to God, whose will He in that way fulfills.
   2. God sanctified Christ (i.e., He selected Him for His service by having committed to Him the office of Messiah).
   3. Similarly, God selected men for the priesthood.
3. To purify, since only what is pure and without blemish can be devoted and offered to God.
   1. To cleanse externally, to purify levitically.
   2. To purify by expiation, free from the guilt of sin.
   3. To purify internally by reformation of the soul: through knowledge of the truth, in the fellowship of Christ, the Holy One; imbued with the Holy Spirit, the divine source of holiness. In general, Christians are called saints as those who, freed from the impurity of wickedness, have been brought near to God by their faith and sanctity.

Sanctification (hagiasmos; noun, from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, found on Blue Letter Bible)

1. Consecration, purification.
2. The effect of consecration: sanctification of heart and life, wrought by the Holy Spirit, in opposition to lust.

While secular definitions are often lacking, the following seem to provide meaningful perspective (at least for consideration):

Sanctification (Merriam-Webster): the state of growing in divine grace as a result of Christian commitment after baptism or conversion.

Sanctification (www.yourdictionary.com): the (usually gradual or uncompleted) process by which a Christian believer is made holy through the action of the Holy Spirit.

I have intentionally resisted the temptation to comment on these definitions to avoid interfering with the Holy Spirit; and will do the same with the following Scripture passages.

The Meaning in Context

The following passages will not only expand your understanding of the meaning of holiness, but introduce you to God’s way for our becoming and being holy. Side note: This is why word studies are so valuable to our becoming faithful stewards of the mysteries of God (1Corinthians 4:1-2).

Holiness

I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. Romans 6:19

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2Corinthians 7:1

…be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:23-24

Holy/Saints

Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. Matthew 7:6

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. Matthew 25:31

…and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Matthew 27:52-53

…Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. Mark 6:20

Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. Acts 9:32

To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7

Sanctify

Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. John 17:17-19

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Thessalonians 5:23

Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. Hebrews 13:12-13

Sanctification

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 1Corinthians 1:30

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God… 1Thessalonians 4:3-5

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth… 2Thessalonians 2:13

A Closing Word of Encouragement

God created the Greek language for the communication of kingdom truth in the New Testament. It is rich and deep in meaning, more “alive” than our modern English language. Even translated into the more limited, the Greek speaks to us of things beyond the capability of our natural minds. That is intentional!

If you have not already done so, go back and read the definitions and Scripture references again – this time with your heart as much as with your head. Determine to find God’s word for faith, that you might not only understand the meaning of holiness, but also become more holy.

God bless you with the stirring of your heart’s desire for holiness.

Have a strong day in the Lord,

Rob

#iamjustthepen