Word Study - Holiness

Word Study - Holiness

• To be Holy means ‘to be set apart’. Holiness - in the highest sense belongs to God (Isaiah_6:3; Rev_15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God's service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Rom_6:19,22; Eph_1:4; Titus_1:8; 1_Pet_1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1_Cor_1:30; 2_Cor_7:1; Eph_4:23,24). (See SANCTIFICATION.)

• Sanctification - involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom_6:13; 2_Cor_4:6; Col_3:10; 1_John_4:7; 1_Cor_6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1_Cor_6:11; 2_Thess_2:13).

• Faith is instrumental in securing sanctification, inasmuch as it

  1. secures union to Christ (Gal_2:20), and

  2. brings the believer into living contact with the truth, whereby he is led to yield obedience "to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come."

• Perfect sanctification is not attainable in this life (1_Kings_8:46; Prov_20:9; Eccl_7:20; James_3:2; 1_John_1:8). See Paul's account of himself in Rom_7:14-25; Php_3:12-14; and 1_Tim_1:15; also the confessions of David (Psalm_19:12,13; Psalm_51), of Moses (Psalm_90:8), of (Job_42:5,6), and of Daniel (Job_9:3-20). "The more holy a man is, the more humble, self-renouncing, self-abhorring, and the more sensitive to every sin he becomes, and the more closely he clings to Christ. The moral imperfections which cling to him he feels to be sins, which he laments and strives to overcome. Believers find that their life is a constant warfare, and they need to take the kingdom of heaven by storm, and watch while they pray. They are always subject to the constant chastisement of their Father's loving hand, which can only be designed to correct their imperfections and to confirm their graces. And it has been notoriously the fact that the best Christians have been those who have been the least prone to claim the attainment of perfection for themselves.", Hodge's Outlines.

Sanctification, Sanctify

A. Noun
hagiasmos
B. Verb
hagiazo


A1. Sanctification, Sanctify [Noun]

hagiasmos "sanctification," is used of

(a) separation to God, 1_Cor_1:30; 2_Thess_2:13; 1_Pet_1:2

(b) the course of life befitting those so separated, 1_Thess_4:3,4,7; Rom_6:19,22; 1_Tim_2:15; Heb_12:14. "Sanctification is that relationship with God into which men enter by faith in Christ, Acts_26:18; 1_Cor_6:11, and to which their sole title is the death of Christ, Eph_5:25,26: Col_1:22; Heb_10:10,29; Heb_13:12.

"Sanctification is also used in NT of the separation of the believer from evil things and ways. This sanctification is God's will for the believer, 1_Thess_4:3, and His purpose in calling him by the gospel, 1_Thess_4:7; it must be learned from God, 1_Thess_4:4, as He teaches it by His Word, John_17:17,19; cp. Psalm_17:4; Psalm_119:9, and it must be pursued by the believer, earnestly and undeviatingly, 1_Tim_2:15; Heb_12:14. For the holy character, hagiosune, 1_Thess_3:13, is not vicarious, i.e., it cannot be transferred or imputed, it is an individual possession, built up, little by little, as the result of obedience to the Word of God, and of following the example of Christ, Matt_11:29; John_13:15; Eph_4:20; Php_2:5, in the power of the Holy Spirit, Rom_8:13; Eph_3:16.

"The Holy Spirit is the Agent in sanctification, Rom_15:16; 2_Thess_2:13; 1_Pet_1:2; cp. 1_Cor_6:11. ... The sanctification of the Spirit is associated with the choice, or election, of God; it is a Divine act preceding the acceptance of the Gospel by the individual." [ From Notes on Thessalonians, by Hogg and Vine, pp. 115,271.]
For synonymous words see HOLINESS.
See also : hagiasmos in other topics


B1. Sanctification, Sanctify [Verb]

hagiazo "to sanctify," "is used of

(a) the gold adorning the Temple and of the gift laid on the altar, Matt_23:17,19;

(b) food, 1_Tim_4:5;

(c) the unbelieving spouse of a believer, 1_Cor_7:14;

(d) the ceremonial cleansing of the Israelites, Heb_9:13;

(e) the Father's Name, Luke_11:2;

(f) the consecration of the Son by the Father, John_10:36;

(g) the Lord Jesus devoting Himself to the redemption of His people, John_17:19;

(h) the setting apart of the believer for God, Acts_20:32; cp. Rom_15:16;

(i) the effect on the believer of the Death of Christ, Heb_10:10, said of God, and Heb_2:11; Heb_13:12, said of the Lord Jesus;

(j) the separation of the believer from the world in his behavior -- by the Father through the Word, John_17:17,19;

(k) the believer who turns away from such things as dishonor God and His gospel, 2_Tim_2:21;

(l) the acknowledgment of the Lordship of Christ, 1_Pet_3:15. "Since every believer is sanctified in Christ Jesus, 1_Cor_1:2, cp. Heb_10:10, a common NT designation of all believers is 'saints,' hagioi, i.e., 'sanctified' or 'holy ones.' Thus sainthood, or sanctification, is not an attainment, it is the state into which God, in grace, calls sinful men, and in which they begin their course as Christians, Col_3:12; Heb_3:1." * [* From Notes on Thessalonians, by Hogg and Vine, pp. 113,114.]


Holiness, Holy, Holily

A. Nouns
hagiasmos
hagiosune
hagiotes
hosits
B. Adjectives
hagios
hosios
C. Adverb
hosios
D. Verb
hagiazo

A1. Holiness, Holy, Holily [Noun]

hagiasmos translated "holiness" in the AV of Rom_6:19,22; 1_Thess_4:7; 1_Tim_2:15; Heb_12:14, is always rendered "sanctification" in the RV. It signifies

(a) separation to God, 1_Cor_1:30; 2_Thess_2:13; 1_Pet_1:2;

(b) the resultant state, the conduct befitting those so separated, 1_Thess_4:3,4,7, and the four other places mentioned above. "Sanctification" is thus the state predetermined by God for believers, into which in grace He calls them, and in which they begin their Christian course and so pursue it. Hence they are called "saints" (hagioi). See SANCTIFICATION.
Note: The corresponding verb hagiazo denotes "to set apart to God." See HALLOW, SANCTIFY.
See also : hagiasmos in other topics


A2. Holiness, Holy, Holily [Noun]

hagiosune denotes the manifestation of the quality of "holiness" in personal conduct;

(a) it is used in Rom_1:4, of the absolute "holiness" of Christ in the days of His flesh, which distinguished Him from all merely human beings; this (which is indicated in the phrase "the spirit of holiness") and (in vindication of it) His resurrection from the dead, marked Him out as (He was "declared to be") the Son of God;

(b) believers are to be "perfecting holiness in the fear of God," 2_Cor_7:1, i.e., bringing "holiness" to its predestined end, whereby

(c) they may be found "unblameable in holiness" in the Parousia of Christ, 1_Thess_3:13.

"In each place character is in view, perfect in the case of the Lord Jesus, growing toward perfection in the case of the Christian. Here the exercise of love is declared to be the means God uses to develop likeness to Christ in His children. The sentence may be paraphrased thus:-- 'The Lord enable you more and more to spend your lives in the interests of others, in order that He may so establish you in Christian character now, that you may be vindicated from every charge that might possibly be brought against you at the Judgement-seat of Christ;' cp. 1_John_4:16,17." [ From Notes on Thessalonians, by Hogg and Vine, pp. 108, 115.]


A3. Holiness, Holy, Holily [Noun]

hagiotes "sanctity," the abstract quality of "holiness," is used

(a) of God, Heb_12:10;

(b) of the manifestation of it in the conduct of the Apostle Paul and his fellow-laborers, 2_Cor_1:12 (in the best mss., for haplotes).


A4. Holiness, Holy, Holily [Noun]

hosits is to be distinguished from hagiotes, as denoting that quality of "holiness" which is manifested in those who have regard equally to grace and truth; it involves a right relation to God; it is used in Luke_1:75; Eph_4:24, and in each place is associated with righteousness.

Notes:

(1) In Acts_3:12, the AV translates eusebeia, by "holiness," RV, "godliness," as everywhere, the true meaning of the word. See GODLINESS.

(2) In Titus_2:3, AV, hieroprepes, which denotes "suited to a sacred character, reverent," is rendered "as becometh holiness," RV, "reverent." See REVERENT.

B1. Holiness, Holy, Holily [Adjective]

hagios akin to hagiasmos and hagiosune, which are from the same root as hagnos (found in hazo, "to venerate"), fundamentally signifies "separated" (among the Greeks, dedicated to the gods), and hence, in Scripture in its moral and spiritual significance, separated from sin and therefore consecrated to God, sacred.

(a) It is predicted of God (as the absolutely "Holy" One, in His purity, majesty and glory): of the Father, e.g.,

Luke_1:49; John_17:11; 1_Pet_1:15,16; Rev_4:8; Rev_6:10; of the Son, e.g., Luke_1:35; Acts_3:14; Acts_4:27,30; 1_John_2:20; of the Spirit, e.g., Matt_1:18 and frequently in all the Gospels, Acts, Romans, 1 and 2 Cor., Eph., 1 Thess.; also in 2_Tim_1:14; Titus_3:5; 1_Pet_1:12; 2_Pet_1:21; Jude_1:20.

(b) It is used of men and things (see below) in so far as they are devoted to God. Indeed the quality, as attributed to God, is often presented in a way which involves Divine demands upon the conduct of believers. These are called hagioi, "saints," i.e., "sanctified" or "holy" ones.

This sainthood is not an attainment, it is a state into which God in grace calls men; yet believers are called to sanctify themselves (consistently with their calling, 2_Tim_1:9), cleansing themselves from all defilement, forsaking sin, living a "holy" manner of life, 1_Pet_1:15; 2_Pet_3:11, and experiencing fellowship with God in His holiness. The saints are thus figuratively spoken of as "a holy temple," 1_Cor_3:17 (a local church); Eph_2:21 (the whole Church), cp. Eph_5:27; "a holy priesthood," 1_Pet_2:5; "a holy nation," 1_Pet_2:9. "It is evident that hagios and its kindred words ... express something more and higher than hieros, sacred, outwardly associated with God; ... something more than semnos, worthy, honorable; something more than hagnos, pure, free from defilement. hagios is ... more comprehensive ... It is characteristically godlikness" (G.B. Stevens, in Hastings' Bib. Dic.).

The adjective is also used of the outer part of the tabernacle, Heb_9:2 (RV, "the holy place"); of the inner sanctuary, Heb_9:3, RV, "the Holy of Holies;" Heb_9:24, "a holy place," RV; Heb_9:25 (plural), of the presence of God in heaven, where there are not two compartments as in the Tabernacle, all being "the holy place;" Heb_9:8,12 (neuter plural); Heb_10:19, "the holy place," RV (AV, "the holiest," neut. plural), see SANCTUARY; of the city of Jerusalem, Rev_11:2; its temple, Acts_6:13; of the faith, Jude_1:20; of the greetings of saints, 1_Cor_16:20; of angels, e.g., Mark_8:38; of apostles and prophets, Eph_3:5; of the future heavenly Jerusalem, Rev_21:2,10; Rev_22:19.
See also : hagios in other topics


B2. Holiness, Holy, Holily [Adjective]

hosios akin to hosits, signifies "religiously right, holy," as opposed to what is unrighteous or polluted. It is commonly associated with righteousness (see hosits). It is used "of God, Rev_15:4; Rev_16:5; and of the body of the Lord Jesus, Acts_2:27; Acts_13:35, citations from Psalm_16:10, Sept.; Heb_7:26; and of certain promises made to David, which could be fulfilled only in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, Acts_13:34. In 1_Tim_2:8; Titus_1:8, it is used of the character of Christians ... In the Sept., hosios frequently represents the Hebrew word chasid, which varies in meaning between 'holy' and 'gracious,' or 'merciful;' cp. Psalm_16:10 with Psalm_145:17." [ From Notes on Thessalonians, by Hogg and Vine, p. 64.]

Notes:

(1) For Acts_13:34, see the RV and the AV marg.; the RV in Rev_16:5, "Thou Holy One," translates the most authentic mss. (AV "and shalt be").

(2) For hieros (see hagios), subserving a sacred purpose, translated "holy" in 2_Tim_3:15, AV (of the Scriptures), see SACRED.


C1. Holiness, Holy, Holily [Adverb]

hosios akin to hosits, and hosios, "holily," i.e., pure from evil conduct, and observant of God's will, is used in 1_Thess_2:10, of the conduct of the Apostle and his fellow-missionaries.


D1. Holiness, Holy, Holily [Verb]

hagiazo "to hallow, sanctify," in the Passive Voice, "to be made holy, be sanctified," is translated "let him be made holy" in Rev_22:11, the aorist or point tense expressing the definiteness and completeness of the Divine act; elsewhere it is rendered by the verb "to sanctify." See HALLOW, SANCTIFY.
See also : hagiazo in other topics

Hallow

hagiazo "to make holy" (from hagios, "holy"), signifies to set apart for God, to sanctify, to make a person or thing the opposite of koinos, "common;" it is translated "Hallowed," with reference to the name of God the Father in the Lord's Prayer, Matt_6:9; Luke_11:2. See SANCTIFY.

Hallow - to render sacred, to consecrate (Ex_28:38; Ex_29:1). This word is from the Saxon, and properly means "to make holy." The name of God is "hallowed", i.e., is reverenced as holy (Matt_6:9).

First-born, Sanctification of the - A peculiar sanctity was attached to the first-born both of man and of cattle. God claimed that the first-born males of man and of animals should be consecrated to him, the one as a priest (Ex_19:22,24), representing the family to which he belonged, and the other to be offered up in sacrifice (Gen_4:4).

Consecrate

Note: In Heb_7:28 the verb teleioo is translated "perfected" in the RV, for AV, "consecrated;" so in Heb_9:18; Heb_10:20, enkainizo, RV, "dedicated." See DEDICATE, PERFECT.

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