Sometimes we “church” people use “church words” that others don’t understand. Take the word sanctification for example. Sounds fancy enough but what does it really mean?
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (NKJV)
So then, we might deduce that sanctification is remaining sexually pure. Is that all it means?
The Greek word used here is hagiasmos, which the Thayer Greek Dictionary says means:
1) consecration, purification
2) the effect of consecration
2a) sanctification of heart and life
Wikipedia says consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service, usually religious. The word "consecration" literally means, "setting apart."
For this is the will of God, your purification, your setting yourself apart to the things, desires and will of God.
The Greek word hagiasmos is from hagiazo, which Thayer says means:
1) to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow
2) to separate from profane things and dedicate to God
2a) consecrate things to God
2b) dedicate people to God
3) to purify
3a) to cleanse externally
3b) to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin
3c) to purify internally by renewing of the soul
Hagiazo is from the Greek word hagios, which Thayer says means “most holy thing,” or “saint.”
For this is the will of God, for you to be holy…set apart from the things of the world, to Him, your Creator, to be holy as He is holy.
