Role of Human Cooperation in Christian Sanctification
The Role of Human Cooperation in Christian Sanctification
Christian sanctification is a process of being set apart for God's service and made holy. It involves the work of the Holy Spirit and human cooperation. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, sanctification is "the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man" [1]. This process is rooted in biblical teachings, such as Romans 12:13, which exhorts believers to "Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality" [2].
The Bible attributes sanctification to the work of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that sanctification is "effected by God" and is associated with the Holy Spirit's work (1 Cor 6:11; Ro 15:16) [3]. John Chrysostom, an Eastern Orthodox father, emphasizes that sanctification is not achieved by human good deeds but by God's loving-kindness [4].
Different Christian traditions understand the role of human cooperation in sanctification variously. one commentary tradition on 2 Corinthians 13:14 highlights the importance of the Trinity in unity, suggesting that human participation in sanctification is facilitated by the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit [5]. In contrast, the Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill's commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4:3, emphasizes that internal sanctification is the work of the Spirit of God, while external sanctification arises from this internal work and is manifested in holiness of life and conversation [6].
one commentary tradition on 1 Peter 3:15 further underscores the importance of human cooperation by exhorting believers to "sanctify Christ as Lord" in their hearts, indicating an active role in making Christ holy in their lives [7]. Similarly, Adam Clarke's Methodist/Wesleyan commentary on Exodus 29:44 notes that while human designation is insufficient to qualify someone for ministry, God's sanctification is necessary [8].
The Protestant academic perspective, as seen in the Tyndale House commentary on Ephesians 4:13, emphasizes that the goal of ministry is for believers to mature in their faith and become like Christ through the Spirit's transforming work [9]. Adam Clarke's commentary on 2 Corinthians 13:14 highlights the importance of the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit in facilitating human participation in sanctification [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”
- Romans “Romans 12:13 (BSB) — Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
- 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”
- 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”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 13:14: The benediction which proves the doctrine of the Divine Trinity in unity. "The grace of Christ" comes first, for it is only by it we come to "the love of God" the Father (Joh 14:6). The variety in the order of Persons proves that "in this Trinity none is afore or after other" [Athanasian Creed]. communion--joint fellowship, or participation, in the same Holy Ghost, which joins in one catholic Church, His temple, both Jews and Gentiles. Whoever has "the fellowship of the Holy Ghost," has also "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ," and "the love”
- 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 ”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 3:15: sanctify--hallow; honor as holy, enshrining Him in your hearts. So in the Lord's Prayer, Mat 6:9. God's holiness is thus glorified in our hearts as the dwelling-place of His Spirit. the Lord God--The oldest manuscripts read "Christ." Translate, "Sanctify Christ as Lord." and--Greek, "but," or "moreover." Besides this inward sanctification of God in the heart, be also ready always to give, &c. answer--an apologetic answer defending your faith. to every man that asketh you--The last words limit the universality of the "always"; not to a roller, ”
- Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 29:44: I will sanctify - both Aaron and his sons - So we find the sanctification by Moses according to the Divine institution was only symbolical; and that Aaron and his sons must be sanctified, i.e., made holy, by God himself before they could officiate in holy things. From this, as well as from many other things mentioned in the sacred writings, we may safely infer that no designation by man only is sufficient to qualify any person to fill the office of a minister of the sanctuary. The approbation and consecration of man have both their propriety and use, but must never”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 13:14: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ - All the favor and beneficence that come from and through the Redeemer of the world; as the Lord, the ruler and governor of all things; as Jesus, the Savior of all men by his passion and death; as Christ, the distributer of all that Divine unction which enlightens, comforts, harmonizes, and purifies the mind. May this most exalted, glorious, and all-sufficient Savior, be ever with you! And the love of God - God, your Maker, in that infinite love which induced him to create the world, and form man in his own image and in hi”