What does "Grace" mean in the Bible?

Grace (charis in Greek, chen in Hebrew) is God's undeserved kindness toward humanity. It is the foundation of the Christian gospel — salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.

What does "Agape" mean in the Bible?

Agape is the Greek word for unconditional, selfless love. It describes God's love for humanity and the love Christians are called to show — a love that gives without expecting return.

What does "Faith" mean in the Bible?

Faith (pistis in Greek, emunah in Hebrew) is the foundational response God requires of humanity — trusting in His character, His word, and His saving work through Jesus Christ.

What does "Redemption" mean in the Bible?

Redemption means to purchase freedom by paying a price. In the Bible, God redeems His people from slavery, sin, and death through the blood of Jesus Christ — the ultimate ransom.

Sanctification

ἁγιασμός (Hagiasmos)

The process of being made holy; set apart and transformed by the Spirit

Greek

Pronunciation: hah-gee-as-MOS

Quick Answer

Sanctification (hagiasmos) means 'the process of making holy.' It is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit transforming believers into the image of Christ — growing in holiness from conversion to glory.

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification." — 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (KJV)

Key Verses

1 Thessalonians 4:3

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.”

Read in context

2 Corinthians 3:18

“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.”

Read in context

Philippians 1:6

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Read in context

The Meaning of Hagiasmos

Hagiasmos comes from the same root as 'hagios' (holy). It means 'the process of being made holy' — set apart from sin and dedicated to God. Sanctification has three dimensions: positional (at conversion, believers are declared holy — 'sanctified in Christ Jesus,' 1 Corinthians 1:2), progressive (throughout life, the Spirit produces increasing holiness), and final (at glorification, believers are perfected and sin is completely eradicated).

The Work of the Spirit

Sanctification is not self-improvement but divine transformation. It is the work of the Holy Spirit within the believer: 'We all...are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord' (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Spirit produces His fruit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control — as the believer yields to His work (Galatians 5:22-23).

Human Cooperation

While sanctification is God's work, it requires human cooperation. Paul writes, 'Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you' (Philippians 2:12-13). This is not a contradiction but a partnership: God provides the power, and the believer provides the willing cooperation. Spiritual disciplines — Scripture reading, prayer, worship, fellowship, obedience — are the means through which the Spirit does His transforming work.

The Goal: Christlikeness

The ultimate goal of sanctification is conformity to Christ: 'For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son' (Romans 8:29). God is not merely making believers better versions of themselves but reshaping them into the likeness of Jesus. This process will not be complete in this life, but Philippians 1:6 assures us that 'he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.'

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sanctification the same as holiness?

They are closely related. Holiness (being holy) is the state or quality; sanctification is the process of becoming holy. A believer is positionally holy (set apart for God at conversion) and progressively becoming more holy in practice (growing in Christlikeness through the Spirit's work).

How long does sanctification take?

Progressive sanctification is a lifelong process that continues from conversion until death or Christ's return. It is never complete in this life — even the most mature believers still struggle with sin (Romans 7:14-25). Final sanctification (glorification) occurs when believers receive their resurrection bodies and sin is permanently eliminated.

Can sanctification happen instantly?

Some Christian traditions teach 'entire sanctification' — a moment of complete consecration where sin's power is broken. Others view sanctification as entirely gradual. Most agree that while there can be decisive moments of spiritual breakthrough, the overall pattern is one of progressive, ongoing growth in holiness.

What is the Greek word for "Sanctification" in the Bible?

ἁγιασμός (Hagiasmos), pronounced "hah-gee-as-MOS." It means the process of being made holy; set apart and transformed by the spirit. It is the word behind "Sanctification" in the New Testament, for example in 1 Thessalonians 4:3.

Related Words

Where to go next

Studied the meaning of Sanctification? Continue with these word-study and Scripture pages.

Sanctification

Key Verses

1 Thessalonians 4:3

2 Corinthians 3:18

Philippians 1:6

The Meaning of Hagiasmos

The Work of the Spirit

Human Cooperation

The Goal: Christlikeness

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sanctification the same as holiness?

How long does sanctification take?

Can sanctification happen instantly?

What is the Greek word for "Sanctification" in the Bible?

Related Words

Related Reading

Sanctification (ἁγιασμός (Hagiasmos))

What Is the Meaning of Baptism?

What Is the Meaning of Communion?

Biblical Meaning of Snakes in a Dream (KJV)

Biblical Meaning of Water in a Dream (KJV)

Advent Bible Hub

Where to go next