Bible Questions
  • Home
  • Topics
    • Popular
    • Steps to Salvation
    • Seeking a Church?
    • A - E >
      • A
      • B
      • C
      • D
      • E
    • F - J >
      • F
      • G
      • H
      • I
      • J
    • K - O >
      • K
      • L
      • M
      • N
      • O
    • P - T >
      • P
      • R
      • S
      • T
    • U - Z >
      • U
      • V
      • W
      • Z
  • Lessons
    • Baptism
    • Bible Basics
    • How to Study >
      • Interpreting the Bible
      • Effective Bible Study
    • Bible Surveys >
      • Beginner Bible Survey
      • Advanced BIble Survey >
        • Old Testament Survey
        • Major and Minor Prophets
        • New Testament Survey
      • Old Testament Characters
    • Book Surveys >
      • Ecclesiastes
      • Sermon on the Mount
      • Acts of the Apostles
      • Romans
      • 1 & 2 Thessalonians
      • 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus
      • James
      • 1 & 2 Peter
      • 1, 2, 3 John
      • Jude
    • Christian Living >
      • Adding to Your Faith
      • Christian Evidences
      • Parables of Jesus
      • Personal Evangelism
      • Practical Christianity
      • Prayer
      • Self-Assessment
      • Supernatural Power
    • The Church >
      • Leadership
      • Work of the Church
  • Podcasts
  • Ask Question
  • About Us
  • Study Aids
  • Blog
  • Sermons
  • Baptism Debate 2011
  • Privacy Policy
<...Go back

What does the Bible say about holiness?


Introduction. There are about twelve different Hebrew and Greek words translated holy in our translations. The chief and basic meaning of these words is "separation to God" (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). These terms are variously translated, "sanctification" being a common English word in addition to "holy."

Holiness is required of man. "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord," we read (Heb. 12: 14). The totality of man is to be set apart, both soul, spirit, and body (1 Cor. 7: 34; 1 Thes. 5: 23). The mind and body of the Christian are to be offered a living sacrifice to God, this is the biblical concept of holiness (Rom. 12: 1, 2). God is holy and, thus, he requires man's holiness (1 Pet. 1: 15, 16). Holiness is separateness, morally speaking, from the baser elements of the world (2 Cor. 6: 17, 18, cp. 1 Cor. 5: 10). Christians constitute a holy nation and priesthood (I Pet. 2: 9, 5).

The instrument to produce holiness or sanctification. Jesus prayed thus, "Sanctify them through thy word: thy word is truth" (John 17: 17). As man obeys verses that teach him to maintain certain thoughts, values, and speech, he becomes holy (Phili. 4: 8; Matt. 6: 33; Col. 4: 6). It must be understood that man participates in his holiness, God does not force or directly impart holiness (cp. 2 Cor. 7: 1).

Holiness is not tantamount to sinlessness. John wrote, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1: 8, 10). The church will ultimately be presented to God as pure. Hear Paul, "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Eph. 5: 27). It is man's duty to presently "perfect holiness in the fear of God" (2 Cor. 7: 1).
 Bible Questions is a work of the Holly Street church of Christ in Denver, CO. 
Copyright (c) 2023 Holly Street church of Christ. All material within the website may be freely distributed for non-commercial uses by including a reference to the website.