Sanctification as the Work of God's Spirit
Sanctification is understood as the process by which individuals are made holy and set apart for God's service, a work primarily attributed to the Holy Spirit [1, 2]. This process involves more than mere moral improvement; it is a profound transformation of one's entire being, bringing it increasingly under the influence of new, gracious principles implanted during regeneration [1].
The Bible describes sanctification as a separation to the service of God (Psalm 4:3; 2 Corinthians 6:17) [2]. It is effected by God the Father (Ezekiel 37:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:23), Christ (Hebrews 2:11; 13:12), and most directly, the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11) [2]. The apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:11, "But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." This verse highlights the Spirit's role in the cleansing and setting apart of believers.
Sanctification is often described as the continuation and perfecting of the work begun in regeneration, extending to the "whole man" (Romans 6:13; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Corinthians 6:19) [1]. It is the special office of the Holy Spirit within the plan of redemption to carry out this work [1]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, notes that internal sanctification is "the work of the Spirit of God, and is a principle of spiritual life in the soul, a divine and spiritual light in the understanding, a flexion of the will to the will of God, and a settlement of the affections on divine things, and is an implantation of every grace in the heart" [7]. External sanctification, according to Gill, arises from this internal work and manifests in a holy life and conversation [7].
The Holy Spirit's power is central to this process. The Spirit's power is identified as the power of God (Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20) and is exhibited in various divine actions, including creation, the conception of Christ, and raising Christ from the dead [6]. This same power is at work in giving spiritual life and making the Gospel efficacious [6]. The Spirit glorifies Christ by revealing him as God, possessing all divine perfections, and being the only Savior [11].
The means through which the Spirit accomplishes sanctification include the word of God and prayer [3, 4]. Jesus himself prayed, "Sanctify them through thy truth, through thy word, for thy word is truth" (John 17:17) [9]. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist commentator, interprets this as a prayer for believers to be made holy, which serves as their preservation [9]. The word of God is instrumental in this process (Ephesians 5:26) [2].
While sanctification is a divine work, it also involves human cooperation. Personal holiness is a "work of gradual development" and is carried on despite hindrances, necessitating watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:23, 24) [5]. It should lead to the mortification of sin (1 Thessalonians 4:3,4) [2].
The concept of sanctification is closely related to holiness. Holiness, in its highest sense, belongs to God, and Christians are called to be holy as they are consecrated to God's service and conform to His will (Romans 6:19, 22; Ephesians 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 1:15) [5]. John Chrysostom, an early Church Father, emphasizes that sanctification is not by one's own good deeds but by the "loving-kindness of God" [12]. He views sanctification as "The Laver, the Purification," reminding believers of their uncleanness from which God freed them [12]. This perspective underscores that even the initial act of being "called to be Saints" is not of human initiative but divine calling [12].
The work of the Spirit in sanctification is essential for the church, making it "glorious" (Ephesians 5:26,27) [2]. It is also linked to election, as saints are "elected to salvation through" sanctification (2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2) [2]. The Spirit's work perfects the saints, completing the number of those called and bringing every individual believer to maturity [8]. This work is described as God's "workmanship," a "curious work" of grace upon the soul, which is internal and gradually carried on until its completion [10].
Sources
- 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: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
- 1 Timothy “For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. -- 1 Timothy 4:5”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 4:5 (ASV) — for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.”
- 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.)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of the Holy Spirit, The — Is the power of God -- Mt 12:28; Lu 11:20. Christ commenced his ministry in -- Lu 4:14. Christ wrought his miracles by -- Mt 12:28. Exhibited in Creation. -- Ge 1:2; Job 26:13; Ps 104:30. The conception of Christ. -- Lu 1:35. Raising Christ from the dead. -- 1Pe 3:18. Giving spiritual life. -- Eze 37:11-14; Ro 8:11. Working miracles. -- Ro 15:19. Making the gospel efficacious. -- 1Co 2:4; 1Th 1:5. Overcoming all difficulties. -- Zec 4:6,7. Promised by the Father. -- Lu 24:49. Promised by Christ. -- Ac 1:8. Saints Upheld by. -- Ps 51:12”
- 1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 4:3: For this is the will of God, even your sanctification,.... Which is another reason to enforce the above exhortation. "Sanctification" is internal or external. Internal sanctification is the work of the Spirit of God, and is a principle of spiritual life in the soul, a divine and spiritual light in the understanding, a flexion of the will to the will of God, and a settlement of the affections on divine things, and is an implantation of every grace in the heart. External sanctification arises from this, and lies in holiness of life and conversation; and is what ”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 4:12: For the perfecting of the saints, The chosen ones, whom God has sanctified or set apart for himself in eternal election: the ministry of the word is designed for the completing the number of these in the effectual calling; and for the perfecting of the whole body of the church, by gathering in all that belong to it, and of every particular saint, who is regenerated and sanctified by the Spirit of God: for the best of saints are imperfect; for though there is a perfection in them, as that designs sincerity, in opposition to hypocrisy, and as it may be taken comparat”
- John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 17:17: The next thing he prayed for for them was that they might be sanctified; not only kept from evil, but made good. I. Here is the petition (Joh 17:17): Sanctify them through thy truth, through thy word, for thy word is truth; it is true - it is truth itself. He desires they may be sanctified, 1. As Christians. Father, make them holy, and this will be their preservation, Th1 5:23. Observe here, (1.) The grace desired - sanctification. The disciples were sanctified, for they were not of the world; yet he prays, Father sanctify them, that is, [1.] "Confirm the work of s”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 2:10: For we are his workmanship,.... Not as men only, but as Christians; not as creatures merely, but as new creatures; the work of grace upon the soul seems chiefly designed, which like a poem, as the word may be rendered, is a very curious work; the king's daughter is all glorious within, for this is an internal work, and is a good and excellent one; it is not indeed perfected at once, but is gradually carried on, till the finishing stroke is given to it by that hand which begun it; the author of it is God, it is not man's work; nor is it the work of ministers, no, no”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 16:12: He shall glorify me,.... In the ministration of the Gospel, which is "the ministration of the Spirit", Co2 3:8; and asserts Christ to be God over all, to have all that the Father hath, to be possessed of all divine perfections, to have the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in him; ascribes the same works and worship to him as to, the Father; and, as in a glass, holds him forth to be beheld as the brightness of his glory, and his glory to be seen in it, as the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth: it declares him to be the only Saviour and Red”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: names of men he findeth no place for. But what is Sanctification? The Laver, the Purification. For he reminds them of their own uncleanness, from which he had freed them; and so persuades them to lowliness of mind; for not by their own good deeds, but by the loving-kindness of God, had they been sanctified. “Called to be Saints.” For even this, to be saved by faith, is not saith he, of yourselves; for ye did not first draw near, but were called; so that not even this small matter is yours altogether. However, though you had drawn near, accountabl”