ἁγιασμός – Pronunciation Guide: hag-ee-as-mos’ (emphasis on ‘as’)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G38: Sanctification, holiness, consecration. The progressive process of being made holy through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, resulting in both a status of being set apart for God’s purposes and the practical outworking of holy living.

Word Study

• Part of Speech: Masculine Noun
• Root Origin: From ἁγιάζω (hagiazo, G37), meaning “to make holy, consecrate”

Morphology:

• ἁγιασμός (nominative singular) – sanctification
• ἁγιασμοῦ (genitive singular) – of sanctification
• ἁγιασμῷ (dative singular) – in/by sanctification
• ἁγιασμόν (accusative singular) – sanctification (as direct object)

Word Origin & History

The word ἁγιασμός emerges from the Greek religious and cultural context where the concept of being “set apart” for divine purposes was well-established. It shares its root with the Greek ἅγιος (hagios), meaning “holy” or “sacred,” which was used extensively in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew קדש (qadosh).

In classical Greek literature, particularly in religious texts, the concept represented a state of ritual purity necessary for approaching the divine. Plato, in his “Laws,” uses related terms to discuss the sacred nature of religious obligations and the importance of maintaining spiritual purity in worship practices.

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἁγιασμός appears ten times, predominantly in Paul’s epistles, where it takes on a distinctively Christian theological meaning. The term encompasses both the believer’s position in the Messiah and the progressive work of the Holy Spirit in conforming believers to His image.

Key Passages:

• 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification”
• Romans 6:19 – “Present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification”
• Hebrews 12:14 – “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness”

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, the concept of sanctification was deeply connected to temple worship and priestly service. Objects and people designated for divine service underwent specific purification rituals, creating a vivid picture of separation from common use to sacred purpose. This cultural background illuminates why the early church, deeply rooted in Jewish tradition, readily embraced this term to describe the Christian life.

Theological Significance

ἁγιασμός represents a profound theological truth about God’s work in believers’ lives. It emphasizes that sanctification is both a position granted through union with the Messiah and a progressive journey of transformation. This dual aspect reflects God’s perfect work of justification and His ongoing work of conforming us to His Son’s image.

The word carries implications of God’s sovereignty and human responsibility working in divine harmony. While sanctification is ultimately God’s work, it requires our active participation, illustrating the beautiful partnership between Divine grace and human faithfulness.

Personal Application

Understanding ἁγιασμός challenges believers to view their daily lives through the lens of sacred purpose. Every decision, relationship, and activity becomes an opportunity to express and experience God’s sanctifying work. This perspective transforms mundane tasks into sacred moments of growing in holiness.

Related Words

• ἅγιος (hagios) – holy, set apart – See G40
• ἁγιάζω (hagiazo) – to make holy, consecrate – See G37
• ἁγιότης (hagiotes) – holiness – See G41
• ἁγιωσύνη (hagiosyne) – holiness – See G42

Did You Know?

• The word ἁγιασμός appears more frequently in 1 Thessalonians than in any other New Testament book
• Modern Greek still uses this word in ecclesiastical contexts with essentially the same meaning
• The concept influenced early Christian architecture, with spaces designed to reflect progressive sanctification

Remember This

Sanctification is God’s masterpiece of transformation, where His perfect holiness becomes our progressive reality.