Correcting Misconceptions About the Doctrine of Holiness
Holiness, in its highest sense, belongs to God (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 15:4) [1]. For Christians, holiness signifies being consecrated to God's service and conforming to His will (Romans 6:19, 22; Ephesians 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Peter 1:15) [1]. The concept of holiness is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of separation and dedication. The Hebrew word H6942K (קָדַשׁ, qadash) means "to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate" [6]. God's call to holiness is explicit, as seen in passages like Leviticus 11:45 and 1 Peter 1:15-16, where believers are commanded to be holy because God is holy [7].
Holiness is not merely a moral reformation but a work of the Holy Spirit that brings the entire person under the influence of new, gracious principles implanted during regeneration [3]. This process, known as sanctification, carries the work begun in regeneration to perfection and extends to the whole individual (Romans 6:13; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Corinthians 6:19) [3]. Personal holiness is a gradual development, often encountering hindrances, which necessitates watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 4:23, 24) [1]. Matthew Henry emphasizes that "Christianity is a doctrine according to godliness, designed to make us not only wiser, but better" [8].
The standard for holiness is found in the character of God (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Ephesians 5:1) and the character of Christ (Romans 8:29; 1 John 2:6; Philippians 2:5) [7]. Christ's example is perfect (Hebrews 7:26) and includes conformity to holiness, righteousness, purity, love, humility, meekness, obedience, and self-denial [2]. John Chrysostom notes that while ancient righteousness and holiness existed among the Jews, they were often in "figure" rather than "truth," whereas Christian righteousness and holiness are "of truth" [9].
A common misconception is to equate holiness with a mere external show of religion or a "form of godliness" without genuine inner transformation [12]. However, true holiness involves the "whole of practical piety" (1 Timothy 4:8; 2 Peter 1:6), encompassing knowledge, veneration, affection, dependence, submission, gratitude, and obedience [4]. The Apostle Paul explicitly states that God has not called believers to uncleanness but to holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:7) [5, 7]. This call to holiness embraces all aspects of a person's life, including abstaining from sexual sin (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, 7) [10]. The ultimate goal is to "perfect holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 7:1) [11].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Holiness — In the highest sense belongs to God (Isa. 6:3; Rev. 15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God's service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Rom. 6:19, 22; Eph. 1:4; Titus 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 4:23, 24). (See [280]SANCTIFICATION.)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
- 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Godliness — The whole of practical piety (1 Tim. 4:8; 2 Pet. 1:6). "It supposes knowledge, veneration, affection, dependence, submission, gratitude, and obedience." In 1 Tim. 3:16 it denotes the substance of revealed religion.”
- I Thessalonians “I Thessalonians 4:7 (Geneva1599) — For God hath not called vs vnto vncleannesse, but vnto holinesse.”
- STEPBible TBESG “[H6942] H6942K = a Meaning of (H6942G) — : holiness<br>1) to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate<br>1a) (Qal)<br>1a1) to be set apart, be consecrated<br>1a2) to be hallowed<br>1a3) consecrated, tabooed<br>1b) (Niphal)<br>1b1) to show oneself sacred or majestic<br>1b2) to be honoured, be treated as sacred<br>1b3) to be holy<br>1c) (Piel)<br>1c1) to set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate<br>1c2) to observe as holy, keep sacred<br>1c3) to honour as sacred, hallow<br>1c4) to consecrate<br>1d) (Pual)<br>1d1) to be consecrated<br>1d2) consecra”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- 1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 1:13: Here the apostle begins his exhortations to those whose glorious state he had before described, thereby instructing us that Christianity is a doctrine according to godliness, designed to make us not only wiser, but better. I. He exhorts them to sobriety and holiness. 1. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, etc., Pe1 1:13. As if he had said, "Wherefore, since you are so honoured and distinguished, as above, Gird up the loins of your mind. You have a journey to go, a race to run, a warfare to accomplish, and a great work to do; as the traveller, the racer, the”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: “in righteousness and holiness of truth.” There was of old a righteousness, there was likewise a holiness with the Jews. Yet was that righteousness not in truth, but in figure. For the being clean in body was a type of purity, not the truth of purity; was a type of righteousness, not the truth of righteousness. “In righteousness,” saith he, “and holiness,” which are “of truth.” And this expression is used with reference to falsehood; for many there are, who to them that are without, seem to be righteous, yet are false. Now by rig”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 4:3: 4:3 God’s will is for you to be holy: The foundation of Christian ethics is not philosophical speculation about virtue but doing God’s will (Rom 12:1-2; Eph 6:6; Heb 10:36; 13:20-21). Holiness (1 Thes 4:4, 7) embraces all of a person’s life (5:23); here it involves staying away from sexual sin (Greek porneia, any sexual union outside marriage).”
- 2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 7:1: These verses contain a double exhortation: - I. To make a progress in holiness, or to perfect holiness in the fear of God, Co2 7:1. This exhortation is given with most tender affection to those who were dearly beloved, and enforced by strong arguments, even the consideration of those exceedingly great and precious promises which were mentioned in the former chapter, and which the Corinthians had an interest in and a title to. The promises of God are strong inducements to sanctification, in both the branches thereof; namely, 1. The dying unto sin, or mortify”
- 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 3:5: Having a form of godliness,.... Either a mere external show of religion, pretending great piety and holiness, being outwardly righteous before men, having the mask and visor of godliness; or else a plan of doctrine, a form of sound words, a scheme of truths, which men may have without partaking of the grace of God; and which, with respect to the doctrine of the Trinity, the church of Rome has; or else the Scriptures of truth, which the members of that church have, and profess to hold to, maintain and preserve; and which contains doctrines according to godliness, and”