What Is Sanctification?
What Is Sanctification? Sanctification is the ongoing process by which God transforms believers to become more like Christ, separating them from sin and developing holiness in their character.
Key verse: 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (KJV)
Sanctification is the ongoing process by which God transforms believers to become more like Christ, separating them from sin and developing holiness in their character.
Sanctification is the ongoing process by which God transforms believers to become more like Christ, separating them from sin and developing holiness in their character.
"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication." — 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Sanctification comes from the Greek word meaning 'to set apart' or 'make holy.' It operates on three levels. Positional sanctification happens at the moment of salvation — God declares believers holy and set apart for His purposes (1 Corinthians 6:11). Progressive sanctification is the lifelong process of growing in Christlikeness through the Holy Spirit's work, Scripture, prayer, and obedience (2 Corinthians 3:18). Final sanctification (glorification) occurs when believers receive their perfected bodies and are completely free from sin's influence. Paul prayed for believers' complete sanctification (1 Thessalonians 5:23) while acknowledging the ongoing struggle (Romans 7:14-25). Sanctification is both God's work and our responsibility — Paul urges believers to 'work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you' (Philippians 2:12-13). It involves putting off the old nature and putting on the new (Ephesians 4:22-24), a process that continues until we see Christ face to face.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness of Sins?
How God forgives sin and what the Bible says about receiving complete pardon through Christ.
Key Scripture References
"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication."
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
How Are You Saved According to the Bible?
Salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ — not by works or human effort.
What is justification by faith?
Justification by faith is the doctrine that sinners are declared righteous before God not by works but through faith in Jesus Christ, a cornerstone of Protestant theology.
What Is Grace in the Bible?
Grace is God's unmerited favor — His free gift of salvation and blessing that we cannot earn through our own efforts.
Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
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What Is Sanctification?
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Theology & Doctrine
Sanctification Bible Quiz
Set apart for holiness — the biblical doctrine of growing in Christlikeness.
Bible Verses About Sanctification
10 curated KJV verses
Sanctification (ἁγιασμός (Hagiasmos))
The process of being made holy; set apart and transformed by the Spirit
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside 1 Thessalonians. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read 1 Thessalonians on day 322 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Is Sanctification?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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