What Does it Mean to be Holy and Acceptable to God

To be holy and acceptable to God involves being set apart for divine purposes and living in conformity to God's will, a concept rooted in both Old and New Testament understandings of holiness. The Greek word ἅγιος (hagios), often translated as "holy," primarily means "dedicated to the gods" or "sacred," and its highest application is to God himself, reflecting his purity, majesty, and glory ^{[2, 3, 4, 5]}. Similarly, the Hebrew root קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qodesh) conveys the idea of being consecrated or set apart ^{[2, 3, 4, 5, 9]}.

In the biblical sense, holiness is first and foremost an attribute of God (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 15:4) ^[1]. God's holiness is praised due to his majesty, glory, excellency, greatness, wisdom, power, goodness, mercy, and loving-kindness ^[7]. For humans, being holy means being consecrated to God's service and conforming to his will (Romans 6:19, 22; Ephesians 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 1:15) ^[1]. This involves a separation from the world and a life aligned with God's passions, reflecting his character ^[16]. Paul emphasizes that being holy means being set apart for God, a concept applied to Israel in the Old Testament and extended to Gentile Christians, indicating their full inclusion among God's people (Exodus 19:6; Romans 1:7) ^[18].

Acceptability to God is closely linked to this concept of holiness. The Bible raises the question of how a mortal can be righteous or clean before God (Job 9:2; 25:4) ^{[8, 10]}. The New Testament clarifies that this acceptability is achieved through Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. For instance, the offering of the Gentiles is made pleasing to God, "being made holy by the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:16) ^[6]. This suggests that the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in sanctification, which is the process of becoming holy ^{[1, 11]}.

Sanctification is described as a work of gradual development, carried out under hindrances, necessitating watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:23, 24) ^[1]. It involves more than mere moral reformation; it is the Holy Spirit bringing the entire human nature under the influence of new, gracious principles implanted during regeneration, extending to the whole person (Romans 6:13; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Corinthians 6:19) ^[11].

Specific actions and attitudes are identified as acceptable to God. These include:

Righteousness, Peace, and Joy in the Holy Spirit: A person who serves Christ in these ways is acceptable to God, possessing both the form and the power of godliness ^[15].
Obedience: Obedience to God's voice, law, and Christ's commands is commanded and is considered better than sacrifice (Deuteronomy 13:4; 1 Samuel 15:22) ^[12].
Good Works and Righteous Living: These are the "fruits of righteousness," encompassing holy tempers, words, and actions, which bring glory to God and benefit humanity ^[19]. John Gill notes that many things are acceptable to God, including the person of Christ, his righteousness, and the services, sufferings, and sacrifices of his people, especially when done in faith and directed to his glory ^[17].
Praise: God is worthy of praise due to his attributes, and praise offered through Christ is acceptable (Hebrews 13:15) ^[7].
Care for the Vulnerable: "Religion which is holy and free from evil in the eyes of our God and Father is this: to take care of children who have no fathers and of widows who are in trouble, and to keep oneself untouched by the world" (James 1:27) ^[14].

Access to God, which implies acceptability, is granted through Christ and by the Holy Spirit, obtained through faith (John 10:7, 9; Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 11:6) ^[13]. This access follows reconciliation with God (Colossians 1:21, 22) and is a privilege of saints, allowing them to approach God with confidence (Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16) ^[13].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Holiness — In the highest sense belongs to God (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God's service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Rom. 6:19, 22; Eph. 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:23, 24). (See [280]SANCTIFICATION.)”
STEPBible TBESG “[G0040] G0040H = a Meaning of (G0040G) — ἅγιος, -α, ον (τό ἅγός, religious awe; ἅζω, to venerate), [in LXX chiefly for קֹ֫דֶשׁ ;] primarily, dedicated to the gods, sacred (Hdt.; rare in Att., never in Hom., Hes. and Trag., who use ἁγνός), hence, holy, characteristic of God, separated to God, worthy of veneration. __1. Its highest application is to God himself, in his purity, majesty, and glory: <ref='Luk.1.49'>Luk.1:49</ref>, <ref='Jhn.17.11'>Jhn.17:11</ref>, <ref='Rev.4.8'>Rev.4:8</ref>. Hence __(a) of things and places which”
STEPBible TBESG “[G0039] G0039H = the Greek of (H6944H) — ἅγιος, -α, ον (τό ἅγός, religious awe; ἅζω, to venerate), [in LXX chiefly for קֹ֫דֶשׁ ;] primarily, dedicated to the gods, sacred (Hdt.; rare in Att., never in Hom., Hes. and Trag., who use ἁγνός), hence, holy, characteristic of God, separated to God, worthy of veneration. __1. Its highest application is to God himself, in his purity, majesty, and glory: <ref='Luk.1.49'>Luk.1:49</ref>, <ref='Jhn.17.11'>Jhn.17:11</ref>, <ref='Rev.4.8'>Rev.4:8</ref>. Hence __(a) of things and places which”
STEPBible TBESG “[G0040] G0040G = (G0040G) — ἅγιος, -α, ον (τό ἅγός, religious awe; ἅζω, to venerate), [in LXX chiefly for קֹ֫דֶשׁ ;] primarily, dedicated to the gods, sacred (Hdt.; rare in Att., never in Hom., Hes. and Trag., who use ἁγνός), hence, holy, characteristic of God, separated to God, worthy of veneration. __1. Its highest application is to God himself, in his purity, majesty, and glory: <ref='Luk.1.49'>Luk.1:49</ref>, <ref='Jhn.17.11'>Jhn.17:11</ref>, <ref='Rev.4.8'>Rev.4:8</ref>. Hence __(a) of things and places which have a claim”
STEPBible TBESG “[G0039] G0039G = the Greek of (H6944J) — ἅγιος, -α, ον (τό ἅγός, religious awe; ἅζω, to venerate), [in LXX chiefly for קֹ֫דֶשׁ ;] primarily, dedicated to the gods, sacred (Hdt.; rare in Att., never in Hom., Hes. and Trag., who use ἁγνός), hence, holy, characteristic of God, separated to God, worthy of veneration. __1. Its highest application is to God himself, in his purity, majesty, and glory: <ref='Luk.1.49'>Luk.1:49</ref>, <ref='Jhn.17.11'>Jhn.17:11</ref>, <ref='Rev.4.8'>Rev.4:8</ref>. Hence __(a) of things and places which”
Romans “Romans 15:16 (BBE) — To be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, doing the work of a priest in the good news of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles might be pleasing to God, being made holy by the Holy Spirit.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Praise — God is worthy of -- 2Sa 22:4. Christ is worthy of -- Re 5:12. God is glorified by -- Ps 22:23; 50:23. Offered to Christ -- Joh 12:13. Acceptable through Christ -- Heb 13:15. Is due to God on account of His majesty. -- Ps 96:1,6; Isa 24:14. His glory. -- Ps 138:5; Eze 3:12. His excellency. -- Ex 15:7; Ps 148:13. His greatness. -- 1Ch 16:25; Ps 145:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11; Isa 6:3. His wisdom. -- Da 2:20; Jude 1:25. His power. -- Ps 21:13. His goodness. -- Ps 107:8; 118:1; 136:1; Jer 33:11. His mercy. -- 2Ch 20:21; Ps 89:1; 118:1-4; 136:1-26. His loving-k”
Job “Job 9:2 (BSB) — “Yes, I know that it is so, but how can a mortal be righteous before God?”
STEPBible TBESG “[H6942] H6942K = a Meaning of (H6942G) — : holiness 1) to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be set apart, be consecrated 1a2) to be hallowed 1a3) consecrated, tabooed 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to show oneself sacred or majestic 1b2) to be honoured, be treated as sacred 1b3) to be holy 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate 1c2) to observe as holy, keep sacred 1c3) to honour as sacred, hallow 1c4) to consecrate 1d) (Pual) 1d1) to be consecrated 1d2) consecra”
Job “Job 25:4 (ASV) — How then can man be just with God? Or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Obedience to God — Commanded -- De 13:4. Without faith, is impossible -- Heb 11:6. Includes Obeying his voice. -- Ex 19:5; Jer 7:23. Obeying his law. -- De 11:27; Isa 42:24. Obeying Christ. -- Ex 23:21; 2Co 10:5. Obeying the gospel. -- Ro 1:5; 6:17; 10:16,17. Keeping his commandments. -- Ec 12:13. Submission to higher powers. -- Ro 13:1. Better than sacrifice -- 1Sa 15:22. Justification obtained by that of Christ -- Ro 5:19. Christ, an example of -- Mt 3:15; Joh 15:20; Php 2:5-8; Heb 5:8. Angles engaged in -- Ps 103:20. A characteristic of saints -- 1Pe 1:14. Saints ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
James “James 1:27 (BBE) — The religion which is holy and free from evil in the eyes of our God and Father is this: to take care of children who have no fathers and of widows who are in trouble, and to keep oneself untouched by the world.”
Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 14:18: For he that in these things - The man, whether Jew or Gentile, who in these things - righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, serveth Christ - acts according to his doctrine, is acceptable to God; for he has not only the form of godliness in thus serving Christ, but he has the power, the very spirit and essence of it, in having righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost; and therefore the whole frame of his mind, as well as his acts, must be acceptable to God. - And approved of men; for although religion may be persecuted, yet the righteous man, wh”
John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 17:16: 17:16-18 Being holy refers to purity gained by separation from the world, and living a life so aligned with God that it reflects his passions. Disciples are set apart by God, equipped by the Spirit, and readied by God’s word to enter the world without being victimized by its darkness.”
Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:9: Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. There are many things that are acceptable to God, as the person of Christ, his righteousness, sacrifice, sufferings, death, and mediation; the persons of his people, their services, sufferings, sacrifices of prayer, and praise to him, and of bounty and liberality to the poor; their graces, and the exercise of them; and the actions of their lives and conversations, when they are becoming the Gospel, are according to the will of God, and are done in faith, and are directed to his glory: and these things which are acceptable to”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:7: 1:7 To be holy means to be set apart for God. This expression is used throughout the Old Testament to describe Israel, God’s chosen people (cp. Exod 19:6), whom God called from among all other nations to be his own. By calling the Gentile Christians his own holy people, Paul makes it clear that Gentiles are now fully included among God’s people.”
Philippians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Philippians 1:11: Being filled with the fruits of righteousness - By righteousness we may understand, here, the whole work of the Spirit of God, in the soul of a believer; and by the fruits of righteousness, all holy tempers, holy words, and right actions. And with these they are to be filled, πεπληρωμενοι, filled up, filled full; the whole soul and life occupied with them, ever doing something by which glory is brought to God, or good done to man. By Jesus Christ - That is, according to his doctrine, through the power of his grace, and by the agency of his Spirit. Unto the glor”

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