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    Sanctify (Hagiazō)

    ἁγιάζω (hagiazō)

    To set apart and make holy — dedicating something or someone for God's exclusive purposes.

    Greek
    Strong's G37
    Pronunciation: hag-ee-AD-zoh
    Quick Answer

    Hagiazō is the Greek word for sanctify, meaning to set apart for God's use and to make holy. Sanctification is both God's act of declaring believers holy and the ongoing process of becoming holy in practice.

    "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.”
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    John 17:17

    “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
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    Hebrews 10:10

    “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
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    Strong's Concordance

    Strong's G37 — Sanctify (Hagiazō) (ἁγιάζω (hagiazō))

    Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where ἁγιάζω (hagiazō) appears.

    Open Strong's G37

    Etymology and Original Meaning

    Hagiazō comes from hagios ('holy') and means 'to make holy' or 'to set apart.' The Hebrew equivalent qadash carries the same meaning. To sanctify something is to remove it from common use and dedicate it exclusively to God. A sanctified vessel, person, or day is 'set apart' — reserved for divine purposes. It is the verb form of holiness in action.

    Positional Sanctification

    Hebrews 10:10 declares believers 'sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.' This is positional sanctification — a completed act. Through Christ's sacrifice, believers are permanently set apart as God's people. They are 'saints' (hagioi — 'holy ones') by status, regardless of their current level of practical holiness. This is the foundation: identity before behavior.

    Progressive Sanctification

    While position is settled, practice is ongoing. Paul says sanctification is God's will (1 Thessalonians 4:3) — an active, continuing process. Jesus prayed, 'Sanctify them through thy truth' (John 17:17). Sanctification happens through the Word, the Spirit, obedience, suffering, and community. It is the lifelong process of becoming in practice what believers already are in position — holy.

    The Means of Sanctification

    Scripture identifies multiple means of sanctification: God's Word (John 17:17), the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13), faith (Acts 26:18), discipline and trials (Hebrews 12:10-11), and fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25). Sanctification is not a solo project but a collaborative work — God providing the power and means, believers responding with obedience and cooperation.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does sanctify mean in the Bible?

    Sanctify (hagiazō) means to set apart for God's use and to make holy. It includes both the completed act of being declared holy through Christ (positional) and the ongoing process of becoming holy in practice (progressive).

    How does sanctification happen?

    Through God's Word (John 17:17), the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 2:13), faith, obedience, trials, and community. It is God's work in believers who cooperate through willing surrender and active obedience.

    Which Bible verse uses the word "Sanctify (Hagiazō)"?

    1 Thessalonians 4:3 — "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification" (KJV). It also appears in John 17:17, Hebrews 10:10.

    Why does the Greek word behind "Sanctify (Hagiazō)" matter?

    Hagiazō comes from hagios ('holy') and means 'to make holy' or 'to set apart.' The Hebrew equivalent qadash carries the same meaning. English uses one word, "Sanctify (Hagiazō)", where the Greek ἁγιάζω (hagiazō) carries the fuller sense: to set apart and make holy — dedicating something or someone for god's exclusive purposes.

    Related Words

    Holy
    Righteousness (Tsedaqah)
    Spirit

    Related Reading

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    Word Meaning

    Sanctify (Hagiazō) (ἁγιάζω (hagiazō))

    To set apart and make holy — dedicating something or someone for God's exclusive purposes.

    Strong's

    Strong's G37 — Sanctify (Hagiazō)

    ἁγιάζω (hagiazō) • To set apart and make holy — dedicating something or someone for God's exclusive purposes.

    Word Meaning

    Sanctification (ἁγιασμός (Hagiasmos))

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

    Strong's

    Strong's G40 — Holy

    קָדוֹשׁ (Qadosh) / ἅγιος (Hagios) • Set apart, sacred, morally pure; distinct from the common

    Bible Quiz

    Sanctification Bible Quiz

    Set apart for holiness — the biblical doctrine of growing in Christlikeness.

    Verses About

    Bible Verses About Sanctification

    10 curated KJV verses

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