Definition of Sanctification in Westminster Larger Catechism
The Westminster Larger Catechism defines sanctification as "the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin and live unto righteousness" [6]. This definition highlights sanctification as a progressive work, distinguishing it from justification, which is a forensic act of God declaring a sinner righteous [6].
The concept of sanctification involves a separation to the service of God [3]. The Hebrew term for "sanctify," H6942 (qadash), means "to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate," or "to be set apart, be consecrated" [4]. Similarly, the Greek term G6114 (hagiasmos) is translated as "sanctification" or "sanctified" [2]. This idea of setting apart is evident in the Old Testament's concept of purification, where individuals were restored to community and worship after ceremonial uncleanness [5].
Sanctification is understood as the work of the Holy Spirit, bringing the entire person under the influence of new, gracious principles implanted during regeneration [1]. It is the process of carrying to completion the work initiated at regeneration, affecting the whole individual [1]. The Westminster Confession of Faith elaborates that those who are effectually called and regenerated are "further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection, by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them" [7]. This process involves the destruction of the dominion of sin and the weakening of lusts, while believers are "more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of true holiness" [7].
Key biblical passages associated with sanctification include 1 Corinthians 6:11, which states, "But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" [9]. John Gill interprets 1 Thessalonians 4:3, "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification," as referring to both internal sanctification—a work of the Spirit implanting spiritual life and grace—and external sanctification, which manifests in holiness of life [8]. Charles Hodge emphasizes that while sanctification requires human effort, it remains fundamentally a supernatural work of God [10].
Sources
- 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”
- STEPBible TBESG “[G6114] G6114 = (G6114) — sanctification; sanctified; sanctuary”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
- STEPBible TBESG “[H6942] H6942G = (H6942G) — : consecate/sanctify<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) consecrated”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Purification — The process by which a person unclean, according to the Levitical law, and thereby cut off from the sanctuary and the festivals, was restored to the enjoyment of all these privileges. The great annual purification of the people was on the Day of Atonement (q.v.). But in the details of daily life there were special causes of cermonial uncleanness which were severally provided for by ceremonial laws enacted for each separate case. For example, the case of the leper (Lev. 13, 14), and of the house defiled by leprosy (14:49-53; see also Matt. 8:2-4). Uncle”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 30: § 1. Its Nature. Sanctification in the Westminster Catechism is said to be “the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin and live unto righteousness.” Agreeably to this definition, justification differs from sanctification, (1.) In that the former is a transient act, the latter a progressive work. (2.) Justification is a forensic act, God acting as judge, declaring justice satisfied so far as the believing sinner is concerned, whereas sanctifica”
- Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed) “Westminster Confession of Faith (Reformed, 1646), CHAPTER 13: CHAPTER 13 Of Sanctification 1. They, who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection, by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them: the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified; and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of true holiness, without which no man sh”
- 1 Thessalonians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Thessalonians 4:3: For this is the will of God, even your sanctification,.... Which is another reason to enforce the above exhortation. "Sanctification" is internal or external. Internal sanctification is the work of the Spirit of God, and is a principle of spiritual life in the soul, a divine and spiritual light in the understanding, a flexion of the will to the will of God, and a settlement of the affections on divine things, and is an implantation of every grace in the heart. External sanctification arises from this, and lies in holiness of life and conversation; and is what ”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 6:11: ye are washed--The Greek middle voice expresses, "Ye have had yourselves washed." This washing implies the admission to the benefits of Christ's salvation generally; of which the parts are; (1) Sanctification, or the setting apart from the world, and adoption into the Church: so "sanctified" is used Co1 7:14; Joh 17:19. Compare Pe1 1:2, where it rather seems to mean the setting apart of one as consecrated by the Spirit in the eternal purpose God. (2) Justification from condemnation through the righteousness of God in Christ by faith (Rom 1:17). ”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 32: § 3. The Method of Sanctification. It has already been shown that although sanctification does not exclude all cooperation on the part of its subjects, but, on the contrary, calls for their unremitting and strenuous exertion, it is nevertheless the work of God. It is not carried on as a mere process of moral culture by moral means; it is as truly supernatural in its method as in its nature. What the Bible teaches in answer to the question, How a soul by nature spiritually dead, being quickened by the mighty power of God, is gradually tran”