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
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
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
Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13
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
For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality,
- 1 Corinthians 6:11
Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God.
- Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living 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
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled in his blood: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
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
For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- Firstborn of Israelites sanctified Exodus 13:2
- All Israel sanctified Exodus 19:10; Exodus 19:14
- Material things sanctified by anointing Exodus 40:9-11
- The Lord is the Sanctifier Exodus 31:13; Leviticus 20:8; Leviticus 21:8; Leviticus 22:9
- The alter sanctifies the gift Exodus 29:37; Exodus 30:29
- Tabernacle sanctified by God’ s presence Exodus 29:43; Exodus 40:34; Exodus 40:35
- UNCLASSIFIED SCRIPTURES RELATING TO Exodus 31:13; Exodus 33:16; Leviticus 21:1-23; Jeremiah 1:5; Ezekiel 37:28; John 17:17; John 17:19; Acts 26:17; Acts 26:18; Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 1:30
- See HOLINESS
- See REGENERATION
- See REDEMPTION
- See SALVATION
- See SIN, FORGIVENESS OF
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Is separation to the service of God Psalms 4:3; 2 Corinthians 6:17
- Effected by
- God Ezekiel 37:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Jude 1:1
- Christ Hebrews 2:11; Hebrews 13:12
- The Holy Spirit Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11
- In Christ 1 Corinthians 1:2
- Through the atonement of Christ Hebrews 10:10; Hebrews 13:12
- Through the word of God John 17:17; John 17:19; Ephesians 5:26
- Christ made, of God, to us 1 Corinthians 1:30
- Saints elected to salvation through 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2
- All saints are in a state of Acts 20:32; Acts 26:18; 1 Corinthians 6:11
- The Church made glorious by Ephesians 5:26; Ephesians 5:27
- Should lead to
- Mortification of sin 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:4
- Holiness Romans 6:22; Ephesians 5:7-9
- Offering up of saints acceptable through Romans 15:16
- Saints fitted for the service of God by 2 Timothy 2:21
- God wills all saints to have 1 Thessalonians 4:3
- Ministers
- Set apart to God’s service by Jeremiah 1:5
- Should pray that their people may enjoy complete 1 Thessalonians 5:23
- Should exhort their people to walk in 1 Thessalonians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:3
- None can inherit the kingdom of God without 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
- Typified Genesis 2:3; Exodus 13:2; Exodus 19:14; Exodus 40:9-15; Leviticus 27:14-16
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