Holiness is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting the nature and character of God and His expectations for His people. The concept of holiness is rooted in the Hebrew word "qadosh" and the Greek word "hagios," both of which convey the idea of being set apart, sacred, or consecrated. Holiness is intrinsic to God's nature and is a defining attribute of His being.

God's Holiness

The holiness of God is foundational to understanding His character. In Isaiah 6:3, the seraphim proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory." This threefold repetition emphasizes the absolute purity and separateness of God from His creation. God's holiness is also highlighted in Leviticus 11:44, where He declares, "For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy."

God's holiness is not merely an abstract attribute but is demonstrated through His actions and judgments. In Exodus 15:11, Moses sings, "Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?" God's holiness is majestic and awe-inspiring, setting Him apart from all other beings.

Holiness of God's People

The call to holiness extends to God's people, who are to reflect His character in their lives. In Leviticus 19:2, God commands, "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 urged to live holy lives. 1 Peter 1:15-16 states, "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.'"

Holiness for believers involves both moral purity and a distinctiveness from the world. Romans 12:1-2 exhorts Christians, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Holiness in Worship and Conduct

Holiness is also a key aspect of worship and conduct. The tabernacle and temple were considered holy places, set apart for the worship of God. In Exodus 28:36, the high priest's turban bore the inscription "HOLY TO THE LORD," signifying the sanctity required in approaching God.

Believers are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness in their conduct. Hebrews 12:14 instructs, "Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." Holiness is not only a personal pursuit but also a communal one, as the church is called to be a holy people, a "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9).

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the believer's pursuit of holiness. The Spirit sanctifies and empowers believers to live holy lives. In 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8, Paul writes, "For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness. Therefore, whoever rejects this instruction does not reject man, but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit."

The Holy Spirit works within believers to produce the fruit of holiness, transforming them into the image of Christ. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, and self-control, all of which are aspects of a holy life.

Conclusion

Holiness is a profound and pervasive theme in Scripture, encompassing the nature of God, the calling of His people, and the work of the Holy Spirit. It is both a gift and a responsibility, as believers are called to live lives that reflect the holiness of their Creator.Holiness Holy

These terms sometimes denotes outward purity or cleanliness; sometimes internal purity and sanctification. True holiness characterizes outward acts, but still more the motive and intent of the heart. It is an inward principle; not mere rectitude or benevolence, or any one moral excellence, but the harmonious and perfect blending of all, as all the colors of the prism duly blend from pure light. God is holy in a transcendent and infinitely perfect manner, Isaiah 1:4; 6:3. The Messiah is called "the Holy One," Psalm 16:10; Luke 4:34; Acts 3:14; and Holy is the common epithet given to the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. God is the fountain of holiness, innocence, and the sanctification. Mankind lost all holiness in the fall; but God makes his people gradually "partakers of his holiness" here, and in heaven they will be found perfectly and for ever sanctified; as an earnest of which, he look upon them as already in Christ, holy and beloved. The Bible applies the epithet holy in a secondary sense to whatever pertains especially to God-to heaven, to his temple, its parts, utensils, and services; to his day, his ministers, priests, prophets, and apostles. The Jews were called a holy people, because they were separated unto God, to be a religious and consecrated people; and Christians, as a body, are also called holy, because they are in like manner separated unto Christ. But a "holy man," in the ordinary Christian sense, is one who exhibits in his conduct the inward purity, benevolence, and holy devotedness to the Savior, with which his heart overflows.

42. hagiosune -- holiness
... [42 () shares the same essential meaning as its root 40 ("holy, see there).]. Word
Origin from hagios Definition holiness NASB Word Usage holiness (3). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/42.htm - 7k

3742. hosiotes -- piety, holiness
... 3741 , "what is by the Lord") -- properly, what God sanctions, ie what the Lord
defines (ordains) as holy and just. See 3741 (). 3742 ("holiness") looks to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3742.htm - 7k

38. hagiasmos -- consecration, sanctification
... ee-as-mos') Short Definition: sanctification, holiness Definition: the process of
making or becoming holy, set apart, sanctification, holiness, consecration. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/38.htm - 7k

6944. qodesh -- apartness, sacredness
... holy (1), things dedicated (1). consecrated thing, dedicated thing, hallowed
thing, holiness, most holy day, portion, thing, saint,. ...
/hebrew/6944.htm - 6k

6942. qadash -- to be set apart or consecrated
... 9), sanctifies (10), sanctify (12), set them apart (1), set apart (4), set apart
the consecrated (2), show himself holy (1), transmit holiness (2), treat me as ...
/hebrew/6942.htm - 6k

Holy in Christ
... Ninth Day. Holiness and Mediation. Tenth Day. Holiness and Separation. Eleventh
Day. The Holy One of Israel. Twelfth Day. The Thrice Holy One. Thirteenth Day. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/holy in christ/

Holiness
... them, The holy people." There are some who call themselves holiness people, but
the prophet says we shall be called, "The holy people." Holiness factions and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter ix holiness.htm

Holy Raiment of One's Own Weaving.
... alone. God alone is holy. There is no holiness but that which descends
from Him, the Fountain of all good, hence of all holiness. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/v holy raiment of ones.htm

Adam not Innocent, but Holy.
... Then only, the higher sanctification sets in, and the whole ladder is being climbed;
higher and higher, ever more holy, until holiness reaches the clouds. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/x adam not innocent but.htm

Consecration and Preservation.
... their sanctification""Sanctify you wholly." As already noted, the root idea of
sanctification, and of its cognate expressions, "holiness," "holy," and the ...
/.../thomas/the prayers of st paul/ii consecration and preservation.htm

Praise and Thanksgiving the Holiness of God Brought Near to Man in ...
... And made a curse for man, and dying thus,. He won the power of holiness for us.
Now may Thine image in us shine anew. In holy righteousness and innocence; ...
/.../praise and thanksgiving the holiness.htm

Christ Our Sanctification.
... that Christ is to him and them no more righteous-making, but righteousness; on the
contrary, He had not yet become to them holiness, but only holy-making. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/vi christ our sanctification.htm

The Divine Liturgy of James the Holy Apostle and Brother of the ...
... Holy art Thou, King of eternity, and Lord and giver of all holiness; holy also Thy
only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom Thou hast made all things ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/various/early liturgies/the divine liturgy of james.htm

Of the Example of the Holy Fathers
... what rivalry in holiness! ... The traces of them that remain until now testify that they
were truly holy and perfect men, who fighting so bravely trod the world ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xviii of the example.htm

Sanctified by God the Father.
... and absurdity, but that we are to be perfect in our sphere as He is perfect in His,
that we are to be holy with the same kind of holiness that appertains to Him ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter xi sanctified by god.htm

Is being holy even possible, since only God is holy? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God is holy, holy, holy? | GotQuestions.org

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Holiness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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