Theological glossary · FaithLogic

Sanctification

Being made holy — a decisive setting-apart to God at conversion, and a lifelong transformation of character by the Spirit into Christ's likeness.

Latin sanctificare, 'to make holy'; Greek hagiazō, hagiasmos.

1 Corinthians 1:2; 6:11 ('you were sanctified'); Romans 6:1–14; 8:13; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 7:1; Ephesians 4:22–24; Philippians 2:12–13; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; Hebrews 10:14; 12:14.

Distinguished into 'definitive/positional' (a completed break with sin's dominion — Hebrews 10:14, 'perfected for all time those who are being sanctified') and 'progressive' (ongoing renewal). Advances, in the Reformed account, by mortification and vivification through the means of grace; the Wesleyan tradition holds a further 'entire sanctification' is available in this life; Catholic theology sees growth in infused grace, completed for most in purgatory; the East frames the whole as theosis.

Structured 'indicative then imperative' — Scripture states who the believer now is in Christ, then commands living it out ('become what you are'). It is God's work in which the believer actively cooperates ('you put to death … by the Spirit').

Whether it can be completed in this life (Wesleyan) or not (Reformed, Catholic, Orthodox); the reading of Romans 7; effort vs. rest in how it advances.

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