ἁγιασμός (hagiasmos)

The Greek word hagiasmos refers to the process of being made holy or set apart for God. It comes from the verb hagiazō, meaning "to sanctify," and functions as an active noun describing the action itself rather than just a static state. This distinction is important because it suggests that holiness is something that happens to a person over time through God’s work, rather than merely a label they possess.

In the New Testament, hagiasmos appears ten times, with significant usage in Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians and Romans. For instance, in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, Paul explicitly links this concept to moral purity and living in a way that honors God. Similarly, in Romans 6:22, he describes the outcome of being set free from sin as bearing fruit leading to hagiasmos, which ultimately results in eternal life. These passages show that sanctification is both a divine act and a practical outworking in daily conduct.

While some scholars argue that hagiasmos can also imply the resulting state of holiness (as seen in 1 Timothy 2:15), its primary emphasis remains on the ongoing process. This aligns with how translators often render it as "sanctification," capturing the dynamic nature of becoming more like Christ. The term underscores the transformative power of God’s grace, inviting believers to participate actively in their spiritual growth.