Lexical Summary hagiasmos: Sanctification, holiness, consecration Original Word: ἁγιασμός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance holiness, sanctification. From hagiazo; properly, purification, i.e. (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier -- holiness, sanctification. see GREEK hagiazo HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 38 hagiasmós (a masculine noun derived from 40 /hágios, "holy") – sanctification (the process of advancing in holiness); use of the believer being progressively transformed by the Lord into His likeness (similarity of nature). See 40 /hagios ("holy"). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hagiazó Definition consecration, sanctification NASB Translation sanctification (8), sanctifying work (1), sanctity (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 38: ἁγιασμόςἁγιασμός, (οῦ, ὁ, a word used only by Biblical and ecclesiastical writings (for in Diodorus 4, 39; Dionysius Halicarnassus 1, 21, ἁγισμός is the more correct reading), signifying: 1. consecration, purification, τό ἁγιάζειν. 2. the effect of consecration: sanctification of heart and life, 1 Corinthians 1:30 (Christ is he to whom we are indebted for sanctification); 1 Thessalonians 4:7; Romans 6:19, 22; 1 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 12:14; ἁγιασμός πνεύματος sanctification wrought by the Holy Spirit, 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2. It is opposed to lust in 1 Thessalonians 4:3f. (It is used in a ritual sense, Judges 17:3 (Alexandrian LXX); Ezekiel 45:4; (Amos 2:11); Sir. 7:31, etc.) (On its use in the N. T. cf. Ellicott on 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:13.) Strong’s Greek 38 (ἁγιασμός) speaks of sanctification—a state of consecration brought about by God that issues in practical holiness of life. It embraces both the decisive setting-apart that occurs at conversion and the ongoing transformation that conforms believers to the image of Christ. Biblical Distribution The term appears ten times, concentrated in Paul’s writings and echoed by Peter and the writer to the Hebrews. The spread of references—Romans, Corinthians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Hebrews, and 1 Peter—underscores its centrality to apostolic teaching. Sanctification and Salvation’s Order Romans 6:19 and Romans 6:22 link sanctification to freedom from sin’s dominion. Justification declares the believer righteous; sanctification makes that righteousness visible in conduct, anticipating glorification. 1 Corinthians 1:30 sets sanctification alongside righteousness and redemption, showing that Christ Himself embodies and secures every stage of salvation. God’s Will and Call 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4: “For this is the will of God—your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; each of you must learn to control his own body in sanctification and honor”. Verse 7 reinforces, “For God has not called us to impurity, but to sanctification.” Holiness is therefore not an optional advanced course but the expressed purpose of God’s call. Sanctification as Divine Initiative 2 Thessalonians 2:13 identifies the Trinity’s involvement: “God chose you from the beginning to be saved through sanctification by the Spirit and by faith in the truth”. Likewise, 1 Peter 1:2 locates the believer’s election “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ”. Sanctification is initiated and energized by God, yet it engages human response. Means and Instruments 1 Timothy 2:15 points to persevering faith expressed “with faith, love, and holiness” (ἁγιασμῷ), showing that ordinary vocations—motherhood in this context—become arenas for sanctification. Hebrews 12:14 commands believers to “pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord”. The pursuit is communal, sustained through spiritual disciplines, fellowship, and corrective discipline (Hebrews 12:5-11). Ethical Outworking Romans 6:19 urges believers to present their members “as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.” The text uses slavery imagery to insist that grace never licenses sin; instead, it transfers allegiance. Sanctification produces tangible fruit—purity, integrity, self-control, sacrificial love. Corporate and Eschatological Dimensions The call is both individual and corporate. 1 Thessalonians addresses the church in its sexual ethic; Hebrews speaks to the gathered assembly striving together. Sanctification stretches toward the eschaton: present holiness anticipates the complete conformity promised at Christ’s return (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:23, where a cognate verb appears). Old Testament Roots and Continuity Ἁγιασμός echoes the Hebrew notion of “qadosh,” the separation of Israel, the priesthood, and the sanctuary unto God. The New Covenant extends this holiness to all believers, fulfilling the typology of cleansed vessels and consecrated priests (Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:5). Historical and Ministry Significance Throughout church history, the doctrine safeguarded two truths: salvation is wholly of grace and holiness is non-negotiable. The early church’s catechesis, Reformation emphases on union with Christ, and later holiness movements all drew from these ten texts. Pastoral ministry today applies them by: • Calling sinners to Christ, in whom sanctification is found. Summary Strong’s 38 anchors the New Testament vision of a people set apart by God, progressively transformed by the Spirit, and destined for flawless holiness at Christ’s appearing. Sanctification is God’s will, Christ’s achievement, the Spirit’s work, the believer’s pursuit, the church’s mission, and the believer’s destiny. Englishman's Concordance Romans 6:19 N-AMSGRK: δικαιοσύνῃ εἰς ἁγιασμόν NAS: resulting in sanctification. KJV: to righteousness unto holiness. INT: to righteousness unto sanctification Romans 6:22 N-AMS 1 Corinthians 1:30 N-NMS 1 Thessalonians 4:3 N-NMS 1 Thessalonians 4:4 N-DMS 1 Thessalonians 4:7 N-DMS 2 Thessalonians 2:13 N-DMS 1 Timothy 2:15 N-DMS Hebrews 12:14 N-AMS 1 Peter 1:2 N-DMS Strong's Greek 38 |
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