Sanctification in 1 Corinthians 6:11 Described
In 1 Corinthians 6:11, the Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian believers, reminding them of their past sinful lives and their present transformed state: "And soche ware ye verely: but ye are wesshed: ye are sanctified: ye are iustified by the name of the Lorde Iesus and by the sprete of oure God" (Tyndale) [1]. This verse serves as a powerful declaration of the spiritual change that has occurred in their lives through Christ and the Holy Spirit.
This verse appears within a larger section of 1 Corinthians where Paul confronts various issues within the Corinthian church. Immediately preceding 6:11, Paul issues a strong warning against specific immoral behaviors, stating that those who practice such things "will not inherit the kingdom of God" [6]. These behaviors include sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, male prostitution, homosexuality, theft, greed, drunkenness, slander, and swindling [6]. Matthew Henry notes that Paul uses this list of sins to warn the Corinthians against their former ways [8]. Adam Clarke also highlights Paul's reproof of their litigious disposition and his assertion that "no unrighteous person can enter into the glory of God" [9].
The phrase "Such were some of you" directly refers to the list of sins Paul just enumerated, emphasizing that the Corinthians themselves had previously engaged in these practices [2, 6]. However, the verse then pivots with the strong adversative "but," introducing the profound change that has taken place [1].
Three key actions are attributed to God in this verse: "ye are wesshed," "ye are sanctified," and "ye are iustified" [1]. These actions are performed "by the name of the Lorde Iesus and by the sprete of oure God" [1].
- Washed: The term "washed" (or "cleansed") is a metaphor for the righteousness that comes from forgiveness [6]. It implies a purification from sin, akin to the cleansing rituals found in ancient traditions [4]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown suggest that this "washing" signifies admission to the general benefits of Christ's salvation [7].
- Sanctified: To be "sanctified" means to be set apart or made holy. This is not merely a moral reformation but a work of the Holy Spirit that brings the entire nature under the influence of new, gracious principles implanted during regeneration [5]. Torrey's Topical Textbook defines sanctification as "separation to the service of God" [3]. It is effected by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit [3]. The Tyndale House commentary notes that the Corinthians "were made holy by God himself" [6]. This sanctification is a process that extends to the whole person [5].
- Justified: To be "justified" means to be declared righteous in God's sight. This is achieved through identification with the Lord Jesus Christ [6]. God forgives believers and views them as righteous, not based on their own merit but on Christ's righteousness [6, 7]. This concept is central to Paul's theology, as seen in Romans 1:17 and 3:21-26 [6].
The agents of this transformation are explicitly stated: "by the name of the Lorde Iesus and by the sprete of oure God" [1]. This highlights the Trinitarian nature of salvation. Christ's work on the cross provides the basis for forgiveness and righteousness, while the Holy Spirit applies this work to believers, transforming their lives [6]. The Holy Spirit's role in sanctification is emphasized in other Pauline epistles, such as Romans 15:16 [3].
The ordering of these terms—washed, sanctified, justified—has been a point of discussion. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown suggest that "washed" implies the general benefits of salvation, with "sanctified" referring to being set apart for God and "justified" referring to being declared righteous [7]. The Tyndale House commentary notes that God makes those united with Christ "righteous, holy, and free" [10]. This verse reassures the Corinthian believers of the genuineness of their conversion and the transformative power of God in their lives, moving them from a state of sin to one of holiness and righteousness [6].
Sources
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 6:11 (Tyndale) — And soche ware ye verely: but ye are wesshed: ye are sanctified: ye are iustified by the name of the Lorde Iesus and by the sprete of oure God.”
- 1 Corinthians “Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God. -- 1 Corinthians 6:11”
- 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”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 11, section 1: . Of The Purifications.”
- 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”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 6:11: 6:11 Following the strong warning of 6:9-10, Paul reaffirms his confidence in the genuineness of his readers’ conversion. • you were cleansed (cp. Acts 22:16): Cleanliness is a metaphor for the righteousness that comes from forgiveness (see Titus 3:5). They were made holy by God himself (see 1 Cor 1:2). • They were made right with God by their identification with the Lord Jesus Christ and by the transforming work of the Spirit of our God. God has forgiven them and views them as righteous (see Rom 1:17; 3:21-26), and their lives have really been changed for ”
- 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). ”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 6 (introduction): In this chapter the apostle, I. Reproves them for going to law with one another about small matters, and bringing the cause before heathen judges (Co1 6:1-8). II. He takes occasion hence to warn them against many gross sins, to which they had been formerly addicted (Co1 6:9-11). III. And, having cautioned them against the abuse of their liberty, he vehemently dehorts them from fornication, by various arguments (Co1 6:12 to the end).”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 6 (introduction): The Corinthians are reproved for their litigious disposition; brother going to law with brother, and that before the heathen, Co1 6:1-6. They should suffer wrong rather than do any, Co1 6:7, Co1 6:8. No unrighteous person can enter into the glory of God, Co1 6:9, Co1 6:10. Some of the Corinthians had been grievous sinners, but God had saved them, Co1 6:11. Many things may be lawful which are not at all times expedient, Co1 6:12. Meats are for the belly, and the belly for meats; but the body is not for uncleanness, Co1 6:13. Christ's resurrection a”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 1:30: 1:30 When people are united . . . with Christ Jesus, God makes them righteous, holy, and free (see 6:11; Rom 3:21-26; 5:17-21). This work of Christ is an expression of God’s wisdom.”