What does the Bible say about sanctification?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that sanctification is God’s gracious work of setting His people apart for Himself and progressively making them holy through union with Christ, His Word, and His Spirit. Believers are chosen “in sanctification of the Spirit” and called to do God’s will in holy obedience (1 Peter 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:3). Jesus prayed that His people would be sanctified in the truth, which is God’s Word (John 17:17). Though Christians still struggle with sin, Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice has perfected His people and equips them for honorable use (Hebrews 10:14; 2 Timothy 2:21). God Himself is faithful to sanctify His children wholly as they live by faith in the crucified and risen Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23; Galatians 2:20).
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 2 Timothy 2:21 6 votes
If anyone therefore purges himself from these, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, and suitable for the master’s use, prepared for every good work.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23 5 votes
May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- John 17:17 5 votes
Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13 4 votes
But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth,
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3 4 votes
For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality,
- 1 Corinthians 6:11 3 votes
Some of you were such, but you were washed. You were sanctified. You were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.
- Galatians 2:20 3 votes
I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.
- 1 Peter 1:2 3 votes
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 2 votes
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.
- Hebrews 10:14 2 votes
For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about sanctification and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about sanctification