Sanctification
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Sanctification in the Bible?
Sanctification denotes the state of being set apart for holy use or the progressive process of moral and spiritual purification. Within New Testament theology, it encompasses both the positional status of believers as holy in Christ and the ongoing ethical transformation required to live out that identity.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the dual nature of sanctification helps readers navigate the tension in Pauline epistles between the believer's immediate standing before God and the practical call to holy living. This distinction clarifies how early Christians understood the relationship between divine grace and personal ethical responsibility.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Sanctification in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Sanctification clarify?
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.