Bible Studies

Sanctified or Not?

by Michael Edwards 
07/17/15
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For years I have been told that once I accepted Jesus as my Savior I was born again and immediately saved. Then the ongoing process of sanctification starts where the Holy Spirit would make me holy and sanctifies me through trials. However if I believe the Bible instead of what I have been told, I learn I have already been sanctified, set apart as holy by the blood of Jesus.

… but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor 6:11 NASB

And by that will, we have been made holy (sanctified) through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Heb 10:10 NIV

**The Greek word for sanctified is “hagiazó” (I make holy, treat as holy, set apart as holy, sanctify, hallow, purify). It’s the same word used in the Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11:2 for Hallowed, meaning holy.

This is the frontline of our spiritual battle. The only sanctification the Bible speaks about is of our spirit, not our flesh. The enemy wants us to look at our flesh and be depressed. God wants us to know and believe our spirit has already been sanctified and be empowered as we focus on Jesus finished work. Then our right believing leads to the fruit of right living.

Both the one who makes people holy (sanctifies) and those who are made holy (sanctified) are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. Heb 11:2

For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified (holy). Heb 10:14 NASB

Note: Some Bible versions add the word "being" before sanctified in Hebrews 10:14. The word "being" is not in the original Greek manuscripts and adding it is an error. The KJV, and NASB version above is correct when it says: those who are sanctified. **Again, in the Bible the same Greek word is translated sometimes holy and sometimes sanctified. To add the word being to this one verse, causes confusion because of the several verses that say we have been made holy/sanctified. The Bible also calls all believers Saints. Truth never contradicts itself.

And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Acts 20:32 NASB

to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ Acts 26:18 NAS

To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: 1 Cor 1:2 NASB

Thank you Jesus! I believe I have been set apart as holy and all of the glory goes to God.

For Deeper Study

Here is a list of all the verses in the New Testament that use the word Strong's Greek: 37. ἁγιάζω (hagiazó) - Sanctify, Sanctified - for further study. While many teachers and preachers teach that a believer is being sanctified, the Bible teaches we are sanctified by the blood of Jesus. Sanctified defined:

Sanctify, Sanctified – Strong’s Short Definition: I make holy, sanctify Definition: I make holy, treat as holy, set apart as holy, sanctify, hallow, purify.

Those who teach we are being sanctified confuse it with the process of transformation. We are being transformed into the image of Christ by beholding His glory. Here is a short study on transformation: http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=193304.

These are all the verses that use Strong's Greek: 37. ἁγιάζω (hagiazó) — 28 Occurrences

The majority (10) state very clearly we are already sanctified, it is a done deal. We know the Bible does not contradict itself so we must keep this in mind.

Several verses do not apply to our question.

There are two verses at the end that are not as clear but do not alter the fact that 10 verse clearly state we are sanctified.

Matthew 6:9 V-AMP-3S
GRK: τοῖς οὐρανοῖς Ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά
NAS: is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
KJV: art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
INT: the heavens hallowed be the name

Matthew 23:17 V-APA-NMS
GRK: ναὸς ὁ ἁγιάσας τὸν χρυσόν
NAS: the temple that sanctified the gold?
KJV: the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
INT: temple which having sanctified the gold

Matthew 23:19 V-PPA-NNS
GRK: θυσιαστήριον τὸ ἁγιάζον τὸ δῶρον
NAS: the altar that sanctifies the offering?
KJV: the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
INT: altar which sanctifies the gift

Luke 11:2 V-AMP-3S
GRK: τοῖς οὐρανοις ἁγιασθήτω τὸ ὄνομά
NAS: Father, hallowed be Your name.
KJV: art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
INT: heaven hallowed be the name

John 10:36 V-AIA-3S   

The Father sanctified Jesus. - 36do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, I am the Son of God'?
GRK: ὁ πατὴρ ἡγίασεν καὶ ἀπέστειλεν
NAS: the Father sanctified and sent
KJV: the Father hath sanctified, and
INT: the Father sanctified and sent

John 17:17 V-AMA-2S

High priestly prayer for the Apostles - Prior to the cross, they had not yet been sanctified by His blood. Note: set them apart in the truth, your word is truth
GRK: ἁγίασον αὐτοὺς ἐν
NAS: Sanctify them in the truth; Your word
KJV: Sanctify them through
INT: Sanctify them by

John 17:19 V-PIA-1S

High priestly prayer for the Apostles - Prior to the cross, they had not yet been sanctified by His blood.
GRK: αὐτῶν ἐγὼ ἁγιάζω ἐμαυτόν ἵνα
NAS: For their sakes I sanctify Myself,
KJV: sakes I sanctify myself, that
INT: them I sanctify myself that

John 17:19 V-RPM/P-NMP

High priestly prayer for the Apostles - Prior to the cross, they had not yet been sanctified by His blood.
GRK: καὶ αὐτοὶ ἡγιασμένοι ἐν ἀληθείᾳ
NAS: also may be sanctified in truth.
KJV: might be sanctified through
INT: also they sanctified in truth

Acts 20:32 V-RPM/P-DMP

After the cross - Done deal – “those who are sanctified.”
GRK: ἐν τοῖς ἡγιασμένοις πᾶσιν 
NAS: all those who are sanctified.
KJV: among all them which are sanctified.
INT: among the sanctified all

Acts 26:18 V-RPM/P-DMP

After the cross - Done deal – “those who have been sanctified.”
GRK: ἐν τοῖς ἡγιασμένοις πίστει τῇ
NAS: those who have been sanctified by faith
KJV: among them which are sanctified by faith
INT: among those that have been sanctified by faith that [is]

Romans 15:16 V-RPM/P-NFS

Paul was a minister to the Gentiles bringing them the gospel so they could be sanctified too.
GRK: ἐθνῶν εὐπρόσδεκτος ἡγιασμένη ἐν πνεύματι
NAS: acceptable, sanctified by the Holy
KJV: acceptable, being sanctified by
INT: Gentiles acceptable sanctified by [the] Spirit

1 Corinthians 1:2 V-RPM/P-DMP
GRK: ἐν Κορίνθῳ ἡγιασμένοις ἐν Χριστῷ
NAS: which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ
KJV: Corinth, to them that are sanctified in
INT: in Corinth having been sanctified in Christ

1 Corinthians 6:11 V-AIP-2P
GRK: ἀπελούσασθε ἀλλὰ ἡγιάσθητε ἀλλὰ ἐδικαιώθητε
NAS: of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified
KJV: but ye are sanctified, but
INT: you were washed but you were sanctified but you were justified

1 Corinthians 7:14 V-RIM/P-3S

Sanctify means set apart.
GRK: ἡγίασται γὰρ ὁ
NAS: husband is sanctified through
KJV: husband is sanctified by
INT: Is sanctified for the

1 Corinthians 7:14 V-RIM/P-3S

Sanctify means set apart.
GRK: γυναικί καὶ ἡγίασται ἡ γυνὴ
NAS: wife is sanctified through
KJV: wife is sanctified by
INT: wife and is sanctified the wife

Ephesians 5:26 V-ASA-3S

If sanctification depends on practical sanctification to really make us holy, without spot or wrinkle, when will the church ever be ready for Jesus return? Especially since every day new believers are born again. 

26that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish Eph 5:26

GRK: ἵνα αὐτὴν ἁγιάσῃ καθαρίσας τῷ
NAS: so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed
KJV: That he might sanctify and cleanse it
INT: that her he might sanctify having cleansed by the

1 Timothy 4:5 V-PIM/P-3S

4For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, 5because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
GRK: ἁγιάζεται γὰρ διὰ
NAS: for it is sanctified by means
KJV: For it is sanctified by the word
INT: it is sanctified indeed by 

Hebrews 2:11 V-PPA-NMS

For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, ESV

GRK: τε γὰρ ἁγιάζων καὶ οἱ
NAS: For both He who sanctifies and those
KJV: both he that sanctifieth and
INT: both indeed sanctifies and those

Hebrews 2:11 V-PPM/P-NMP

For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, ESV

GRK: καὶ οἱ ἁγιαζόμενοι ἐξ ἑνὸς
NAS: and those who are sanctified are all
KJV: and they who are sanctified [are] all
INT: and those sanctified of one

Hebrews 9:13 V-PIA-3S

 13For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, 14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!

GRK: τοὺς κεκοινωμένους ἁγιάζει πρὸς τὴν
NAS: who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing
KJV: the unclean, sanctifieth to
INT: the defiled sanctifies for the

Hebrews 10:10 V-RPM/P-NMP

And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Heb 10:10 ESV
GRK: ᾧ θελήματι ἡγιασμένοι ἐσμὲν διὰ
NAS: we have been sanctified through
KJV: we are sanctified through
INT: that will sanctified we are through

Hebrews 10:14 V-PPM/P-AMP

For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. NASB

Note: in some translations the word (being) has been added before sanctified by the translators but it is not in the original Greek. See the third one down for an example. The brackets means added by translators.
GRK: διηνεκὲς τοὺς ἁγιαζομένους 
NAS: for all time those who are sanctified.
KJV: for ever them that are sanctified.
INT: ever those [being] sanctified

Hebrews 10:29 V-AIP-3S

28Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?
GRK: ἐν ᾧ ἡγιάσθη καὶ τὸ
NAS: by which he was sanctified, and has insulted
KJV: wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing,
INT: in which he was sanctified and the

Hebrews 13:12 V-ASA-3S

So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. ESV
GRK: Ἰησοῦς ἵνα ἁγιάσῃ διὰ τοῦ
NAS: also, that He might sanctify the people
KJV: that he might sanctify the people
INT: Jesus that he might sanctify by the

1 Peter 3:15 V-AMA-2P

Sanctify/Set apart Christ as Lord in your hearts
GRK: τὸν Χριστὸν ἁγιάσατε ἐν ταῖς
NAS: but sanctify Christ as Lord
KJV: But sanctify the Lord God
INT: Christ sanctify in the

Revelation 22:11 V-AMP-3S

We participate in our sanctification by believing God. The only way we can keep ourselves holy/sanctified/set apart is to keep the faith.

"Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy." NAS
GRK: ὁ ἅγιος ἁγιασθήτω ἔτι 
NAS: still keep himself holy.
KJV: he that is holy, let him be holy still.
INT: he that [is] holy let him be holy still 

Below are the two verses that are not as clear that use the word sanctification.

These may simply indicate that we will be fully set apart to God, fully sanctified, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is when we will be set apart with Him where He is and not progressive sanctification.  

1)     1 Thessalonians 5:23 V-AOA-3S

23Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
GRK: τῆς εἰρήνης ἁγιάσαι ὑμᾶς ὁλοτελεῖς
NAS: Himself sanctify you entirely;
KJV: God of peace sanctify you wholly;
INT: of peace may sanctify you wholly

Philippians 1:6 supports the thought that we will be fully set apart, our sanctification will be complete when Jesus comes and we are physically set apart to where He is. To me this would not be a defense for progressive sanctification since the fulfillment cannot happen until we are free from our flesh.  This option does not contradict the verses that say we are already sanctified.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Phil 1:6 ESV

1 Corinthians 1:8
He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2)  2 Timothy 2:21 V-RPM/P-NNS

GRK: εἰς τιμήν ἡγιασμένον εὔχρηστον τῷ
NAS: for honor, sanctified, useful
KJV: unto honour, sanctified, and meet
INT: to honor having been sanctified useful to the

This verse seems to suggest that a person can further set themselves apart for good works by departing from iniquity and rightly dividing the word of truth. Makes me think of those who can be chosen for leaders in the church according to Paul. It was not just any believer, it was those who were not caught up in sin.  Below is the verse in context.

The Lord's Approved Workman

14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 2 Tim 2: 14-21 KJV

Paul could also be simply reiterating the truth that a person is sanctified. We know that many verses say we are already sanctified but if a person purges himself as Paul is explaining, they will be a vessel of honor and meet for the master’s use. Some will earn rewards by the works they do and some will make it into heaven smelling like smoke.

Additional thoughts

1)     Words have meanings. If over and over again the Bible says we are sanctified, we are. 

2)     The thief on the cross, or anyone who accepts Jesus on their deathbed, has no time to progressively be sanctified, to work out their sanctification. The only way they could be sanctified is in an instant by the blood of Jesus. 

3)     The Bible teaches about the renewal of the mind but it does not use the word sanctification. Renewal of the mind and being set apart are different things.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Rom 12:2

Read studies on transformation: 

How to be Transformed Into His Image,

Transformed, Our Face Like the Sun, Our Clothes Whiter than White

4)     Again a voice came to him a second time, "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy." Acts 10:15 – Unholy would be unsanctified, unclean. 

Read Study: God Said a Believer Can Never be Considered Unholy