Bible Dictionaries
Sanctification, Sanctify

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

"sanctification," is used of (a) separation to God, 1Cor, 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2 (b) the course of life befitting those so separated, 1 Thessalonians 4:3,4,7; Romans 6:19,22; 1 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 12:14 . "Sanctification is that relationship with God into which men enter by faith in Christ, Acts 26:18; 1 Corinthians 6:11 , and to which their sole title is the death of Christ, Ephesians 5:25,26 : Colossians 1:22; Hebrews 10:10,29; 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 Thessalonians 4:3 , and His purpose in calling him by the gospel, 1 Thessalonians 4:7; it must be learned from God, 1 Thessalonians 4:4 , as He teaches it by His Word, John 17:17,19; cp. Psalm 17:4; 119:9 , and it must be pursued by the believer, earnestly and undeviatingly, 1 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 12:14 . For the holy character, hagiosune, 1 Thessalonians 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, Matthew 11:29; John 13:15; Ephesians 4:20; Philippians 2:5 , in the power of the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:13; Ephesians 3:16 .

"The Holy Spirit is the Agent in sanctification, Romans 15:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; cp. 1 Corinthians 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.

"to sanctify," "is used of (a) the gold adorning the Temple and of the gift laid on the altar, Matthew 23:17,19; (b) food, 1 Timothy 4:5; (c) the unbelieving spouse of a believer, 1 Corinthians 7:14; (d) the ceremonial cleansing of the Israelites, Hebrews 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. Romans 15:16; (i) the effect on the believer of the Death of Christ, Hebrews 10:10 , said of God, and 2:11; 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 Timothy 2:21; (1) the acknowledgment of the Lordship of Christ, 1 Peter 3:15 . "Since every believer is sanctified in Christ Jesus, 1 Corinthians 1:2 , cp. Hebrews 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, Colossians 3:12; Hebrews 3:1 ." * [* From Notes on Thessalonians, by Hogg and Vine, pp. 113,114.]