What Is Sanctification?

The word "sanctification" is only used five times and only used in the new testament. Here are the verses.

(1Co 1:30 HRB) But you also belong to YAHWEH through Messiah Yahshua, who was made to us wisdom from YAHWEH, both righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

(1Th 4:3 HRB) For this is the will of YAHWEH, your sanctification, for you to abstain from fornication,

(1Th 4:4 HRB) each one of you to know to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor,

(2Th 2:13 HRB) But we ought to thank YAHWEH always concerning you, brothers, beloved by YAHWEH, because YAHWEH chose you from the beginning to salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and through a true faith, –1 Footnote: 1 Eph. 1:4.

(1Pe 1:2 HRB) according to the foreknowledge of YAHWEH the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit to obedience1 and sprinkling of the blood of Yahshua Messiah: Grace and peace be multiplied to you. Footnote: 1Obedience is also stressed in 1Pe 1:14 & 22.

The word "sanctification" means "a religious ceremony in which something is made holy".

And "holy" means "dedicated or consecrated to the Most High or a religious purpose; sacred."

And "sacred" means "connected with the Most High (or the gods) or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration."

And "veneration" means "great respect; reverence."

Now let us trace the Greek word and clear it. The Greek word is "hagiasmos"G38 literally means "purification" which is translated as "sanctification" in most English Bibles.

G38
ἁγιασμός
hagiasmos
hag-ee-as-mos'
From G37; properly purification, that is, (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier: - holiness, sanctification.

From the Greek word "hagiasmos"G38 we get the literal meaning "purification".

And "purification" means "the act of cleaning by getting rid of impurities". ~
-- http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=purification

A quick search of the Greek word reference "G38" for "hagiasmos" in e-Sword, in KJV with Strongs reference, yields 10 results.

"holiness"G38 Rom 6:19
"holiness"G38 Rom 6:22
"sanctification"G38 1Co 1:30
"sanctification"G38 1Th 4:3
"sanctification"G38 1Th 4:4
"holiness"G38 1Th 4:7
"sanctification"G38 2Th 2:13
"holiness"G38 1Ti 2:15
"holiness"G38 Heb 12:14
"sanctification"G38 1Pe 1:2

Therefore the Greek word "hagiasmos"G38 is translated as "sanctification" and "holiness" in the King James Version Bible.

Other Bible versions also use either of these English words "sanctification" or "holiness". Except for one "The Scriptures 1998+" uses "set-apartness" instead.

The "Orthodox Jewish Bible" uses the Hebrew word *"kedushah" (holiness)* alongside "holiness" in close parentheses.

And the English word "holiness" can also come from Greek -- ἁγιωσύνη -- "hagiōsunē"G42 which means "sacredness". Which is used three times in the New Testament. (Rom 1:4, 2Co 7:1, 1Th 3:13)

In the Old Testament "holiness" is translated from the Hebrew word "qôdesh"H6944.

H6944
קדשׁ
qôdesh
ko'-desh
From H6942; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstractly sanctity: - consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, (X most) holy (X day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary.

The Hebrew word "qôdesh"H6944, however, is also translated into "holy", "holy things", "most holy things", "most holy" (Exo 30:29, Lev 24:9), "sanctuary" (Exo 30:24, 36:1,3), "hallowed thing/s" (Lev 12:4), "holy thing/s" (Lev 23:3,4), "saints" (Deut 33:2), "consecrated" (Jos 6:19), "dedicated" (1Ki 7:51, 15:15), "dedicated thing/s" (2Ki 12:4), "consecrated thing/s" (2Ch 29:33).

The quick search in e-Sword yields 382 verses in 470 matches of the Hebrew word "qôdesh"H6944.

Now let us clear these English words one by one from the top, and straight to the point.

"sanctification" means "a religious ceremony in which something is made holy".
"holy" means "dedicated or consecrated to the Most High or a religious purpose; sacred."
"sacred" means "connected with the Most High (or the gods) or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration."
"sanctuary" means "a holy place; a temple or church"
"hallowed" means "honored as holy"
"saints" means "a person acknowledged as holy"
"consecrated" means "made or declared (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicated formally to a religious or divine purpose"
"dedicated" means "(of a person) devoted to a task or purpose; having single-minded loyalty or integrity"

Sidenote: Please note, some of these words have several meanings in the dictionary. I just picked out the meaning in the context used. Please go ahead and clear these words if you spot the Barriers To Learning, otherwise the rest of the study will become blank, or incomprehensible, and you run the risk of leaving the study altogether.

Most of the Bibles interchange these words accordingly for they somehow mean closely the same thing, the same idea. However, because of the different meanings some of these words have, may manifest the Barriers To Learning.

But that is how the adversary works to deceive. The adversary uses todays words with different meanings, to introduce nuances thereby creating gaps or blanks on one's mind. Gaps or blanks are introduced when a word is not fully understood.

But here is a little short-cut replace any of those words that is misunderstood with any of these according to context: "set apart", "set apartness", "set apart one/s", "set apart place".

Also notice the departure of the New Testament from the Old Testament just by looking at these English words from the same Hebrew word and Greek word. Only a diligent student "rightly dividing the Word of Truth" shall be able to spot these.

Learn how to "rightly divide the Word of Truth" ~ Please see:

There is one Bible that translate the Hebrew word "qôdesh"H6944 into "set apart" and the same words above would be translated thus:

"sanctification" means "set-apartness",
"holy" means "set apart"
"sacred" means "set apart"
"sanctuary" means "set apart place"
"hallowed" means "set apart"
"saints" means "set apart ones"
"consecrated" means "set apart"
"dedicated" means "set apart"

The root word for "qôdesh"H6944 is "qâdash"H6942 which means "to be (causatively make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)", where we also get "sanctify", the root word for "sanctification".

H6942
קדשׁ
qâdash
kaw-dash'
A primitive root; to be (causatively make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally): - appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy (-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (-ied one, self), X wholly.

And the one word that best define "sanctify" in Hebrew would be "purify".

Therefore, "sanctification" means "purification". And the Greek (New Testament) and Hebrew (Old Testament) words in this regard agrees.

Now let us insert the word "purification" in the five verses where "sanctification" was before we cleared it. And please note the definition of "purification" -- "the act of cleaning by getting rid of impurities".

But of him are ye in the Messiah Yahushua, who of YHWH is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and "purification", and redemption: (1Co 1:30 Cleared RNKJV)

The phrase "who of" means, "through the ministry of", YHWH, the Father, which is called "sanctification" meaning "purification" -- "the act of cleaning by getting rid of impurities".

For this is the will of YHWH, even your "purification", that ye should abstain from fornication: (1Th 4:3 Cleared RNKJV)

That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in "purification" and honour; (1Th 4:4 Cleared RNKJV)

It turns out the "purification" process is a two man team -- YHWH, the Father and mankind. And those two verses alludes to some of mankind's participation. The rest of the instructions can be found in the Torah, the "Word of YHWH", the teaching of "Yahushua Messiah". (What is the Torah? -- See To The Torah and The Testimony)

But we are bound to give thanks alway to YHWH for you, brethren beloved of the Master, because YHWH hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through "purification" of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (2Th 2:13 Cleared RNKJV) –1 Footnote: 1 Eph. 1:4. (2Th 2:13 The Scriptures 1998+)

Salvation means "deliverance from sin and its consequences".

Elect according to the foreknowledge of YHWH the Father, through "purification" of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Yahushua the Messiah: Favour unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (1Pe 1:2 Cleared) Footnote: 1Obedience is also stressed in 1Pe 1:14 & 22. (1Pe 1:2 Cleared RNKJV)

The Father created the process in the beginning for man. Man then initiates the process through obedience, and the Father "purifies" man. Man's participation in the "purification" process is basically obedience to the instructions of the Father, the "Word of YHWH".

This process must be continually observed as the "renewing" of the mind (man's participation -- Rom 12:2), and the "renewing" of the Ruach YHWH (the Father's ministry to man -- Tit 3:5, 1Co 1:30, 2Th 2:13, 1Pe 1:2),

(Rom 12:2 RNKJV) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of YHWH.

(Tit 3:5 RNKJV) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Set-apart Spirit;

Please see:

Therefore, the "purification" process is a team effort of the Father and Mankind.

Man is a creature of habit, and "lawlessness" can be formed a "Character" in man, developed from the "Habits of Lawlessness". (see The Mark Of The Beast)

However, through this "renewing" process, man can shed off this "Character of Lawlessness" in man, developed from the "Habits of Lawlessness". (see How To Handle Pain)

Obedience is also known as righteousness.

(1Jn 3:7 HRB) Little children, let no one lead you astray; the one practicing righteousness is righteous, even as that One is righteous.

When one starts obeying the instructions of the Father, the "Word of YHWH", who also says "guard my commands", one is "righteous".

(1Jn 3:8 HRB) The one practicing sin is of the devil, because the devil sins from the beginning. For this the Son of YAHWEH was revealed, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

(1Jn 3:9 HRB) Everyone who has been begotten of YAHWEH does not practice sin, because His seed abides in him, and he is not able to sin, because he has been begotten of YAHWEH.

I believe, that Even if one would fall short of the standard of the Father, Yahushua Messiah is made one's "purification" of the Ruach YHWH (1Co 1:30), every Sabbaths.

Why the Sabbaths?

Because it is the only sign of the everlasting covenant, that we may know that He IS YHWH (יהוה,) that does "purifies" us.

(Exo 31:13 RNKJV) Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign1 between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am YHWH (יהוה,) that doth sanctify you. Footnote: 1The only sign of יהוה setting us apart, the only sign of the everlasting covenant, is His Sabbaths, one of them being the seventh day Sabbath. This is repeated in Ezek. 20:12 & 20.

(Eze 20:12 RNKJV) Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign1 between me and them, that they might know that I am YHWH that sanctify them. Footnote: 1See Ex. 31:13-17

(Eze 20:20 RNKJV) And hallow my Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am YHWH your Elohim.

The Father, however, is faithful.

(Psa 119:90 RNKJV) Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

(Lam 3:22 RNKJV) It is of YHWH's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

(Lam 3:23 RNKJV) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

(Lam 3:24 RNKJV) YHWH is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

(Lam 3:25 RNKJV) YHWH is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

And He does not forced one into the process to be "purified". For He already created the process in the beginning for man. Man initiates the "purification" process and the Father, through His Ruach HaQodesh "purifies" man. (see Enter Into His Rest)