The term "holier" is often used in a comparative sense to describe a state of greater holiness or sanctity. In the biblical context, holiness is a fundamental attribute of God and a quality that believers are called to pursue. The concept of being "holier" implies a progression or growth in spiritual purity and moral integrity.

Biblical Foundation of Holiness

Holiness is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting God's nature and His expectations for His people. In Leviticus 19:2, God commands the Israelites, "Speak to the entire congregation of the Israelites and tell them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’" This call to holiness is reiterated in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to emulate God's holiness in their lives.

Pursuit of Holiness

The pursuit of holiness is a lifelong journey for Christians. It involves a continuous process of sanctification, where believers are transformed into the likeness of Christ. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, the apostle Peter exhorts, "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 passage underscores the importance of striving for holiness in every aspect of life.

Holier Than Thou

The phrase "holier than thou" is often used to describe an attitude of self-righteousness or moral superiority. This attitude is cautioned against in Scripture. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their outward displays of piety while neglecting the weightier matters of the law, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). True holiness is marked by humility and a genuine love for God and others.

Holiness and the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the believer's journey toward holiness. The Spirit empowers and guides Christians in their efforts to live a life pleasing to God. In Galatians 5:16, Paul writes, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit enables believers to overcome sin and grow in holiness.

Holiness in Community

Holiness is not only an individual pursuit but also a communal one. The church, as the body of Christ, is called to be a holy community. Ephesians 5:25-27 describes Christ's love for the church, "to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." The church is to reflect God's holiness to the world.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "holier," the concept of growing in holiness is deeply embedded in Scripture. Believers are called to pursue a life that increasingly reflects the holiness of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit and supported by the community of faith.6942. qadash -- to be set apart or consecrated
... holy (1), consecrate (43), consecrated (35), consecrates (7), consecration (2),
declare holy (1), dedicate (2), dedicated (8), dedicating (1), holier (1), holy ...
/hebrew/6942.htm - 6k

Adam not Innocent, but Holy.
... as he had not sinned, and by constant development could increase his holiness, so
that if he had not fallen he would have attained a still holier state, is ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/x adam not innocent but.htm

Self-Denial.
... For the man who applies himself earnestly and diligently to good works, solely to
attain a holier status and thus become a holier person, has lost his reward. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xvi self-denial.htm

The Lord's Prayer. Our Father who Art in Heaven.
... would keep and deter us from praying, as though it were not of much consequence
if we do not pray, or as though it were commanded those who are holier and in ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/the lords prayer our father.htm

That the Perfect Lover of God had Liever Run into Great Pain than ...
... righteous man would rather choose to suffer all pain than once grieve God; although
he knew he might rise by penance and afterward please God more and be holier ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter viii that the perfect.htm

Christ Our Sanctification.
... But the work is only just begun. Compared to former times, there is a holier love
and spirit in them, but they are by no means wholly sanctified. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/vi christ our sanctification.htm

Whether Spiritual Relationship is an Impediment to Marriage?
... On the contrary, The holier the bond, the more is it to be safeguarded.
Now a spiritual bond is holier than a bodily tie: and since ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether spiritual relationship is an.htm

Of Deeper Matters, and God's Hidden Judgments which are not to be ...
... 2. "And be not given to inquire or dispute about the merits of the Saints, which
is holier than another, or which is the greater in the Kingdom of Heaven. ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter lviii of deeper matters.htm

Our Lord-Sanctifying Himself
... of Christ as to the universality, and the malignity, and the irremediableness of
sin; as also of the power of prayer, and prayer out of a holier and an ever ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/x our lord-sanctifying himself.htm

I Suspect I have Been Allotting Habitually Too Little Time to ...
... We need holier men, and more of them, holier women, and more of them to pray"women
like Hannah, who, out of their greatest griefs and temptations brewed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter vii i suspect i.htm

Prayer for and with Each Other.
... is added intercession, that in prayer the breath of love may quench gently, yet
effectually, remaining egoism, and lead us to the still holier prayer for the ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xliii prayer for and with.htm

Holier (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Holier (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 65:5 who say, Stand
by yourself, don't come near to me, for I am holier than you. ...
/h/holier.htm - 6k

Brethren (528 Occurrences)
... It is by an inconsistency that Protestants have conceded this much to theory of
Rome, that celibacy is a holier estate than matrimony, and that virginity in ...
/b/brethren.htm - 51k

Lord (59401 Occurrences)
... It is by an inconsistency that Protestants have conceded this much to theory of
Rome, that celibacy is a holier estate than matrimony, and that virginity in ...
/l/lord.htm - 61k

Holies (23 Occurrences)

/h/holies.htm - 17k

Ablution
... Kelim i.6), on entering the holy place without having washed his hands, claiming
that he was holier than the high priest because of his ascetic life, was ...
/a/ablution.htm - 18k

Burns (34 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Isaiah 65:5 who say, Stand by yourself, don't come near to me, for I
am holier than you. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all the day. ...
/b/burns.htm - 17k

Holiday-making (1 Occurrence)
Holiday-making. Holiday, Holiday-making. Holier . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). Holiday, Holiday-making. Holier . Reference Bible.
/h/holiday-making.htm - 6k

Nostrils (22 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 65:5 That say: 'Stand by thyself, come not near to me, for I am holier than
thou'; these are a smoke in My nose, a fire that burneth all the day. ...
/n/nostrils.htm - 17k

Nose (23 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Isaiah 65:5 who say, Stand by
yourself, don't come near to me, for I am holier than you. ...
/n/nose.htm - 19k

Burneth (67 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than
thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. ...
/b/burneth.htm - 28k

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