ἁγιάζω – Pronunciation Guide: hag-ee-ad’-zo (emphasis on ‘ad’)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G37: To make holy, consecrate, or set apart for sacred use; to purify or sanctify. This foundational Greek verb describes the process of making something or someone holy, carrying deep implications of both ritual consecration and moral transformation.

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Word Study

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root: From ἅγιος (hagios), meaning “holy”
• Language Origin: Koine Greek

Morphology:

• ἁγιάζω (Present Active Indicative) – I sanctify/make holy
• ἁγιάσω (Future Active Indicative) – I will sanctify
• ἡγίασα (Aorist Active Indicative) – I sanctified
• ἡγιασμένος (Perfect Passive Participle) – having been sanctified

Word Origin & History

The verb ἁγιάζω emerged from the rich theological soil of the Septuagint, where it translated the Hebrew קָדַשׁ (qadash). In classical Greek literature, though less common, it appeared in religious contexts describing the consecration of temples and sacred objects to the gods, as noted in Herodotus’s Histories.

The transition from classical to biblical usage expanded its meaning significantly, encompassing not just ritual consecration but the transformative work of making something or someone holy in character and purpose.

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἁγιάζω appears 29 times, reflecting both instantaneous and progressive aspects of sanctification. It describes both God’s definitive act of setting believers apart and the ongoing process of spiritual transformation.

Key Passages:

• John 17:17 – “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:23 – “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely”
• Hebrews 10:10 – “We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all”

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, the concept of sanctification was deeply connected to temple worship and ritual purity. Objects, places, and people designated for divine service underwent specific purification rites. This cultural background illuminates why the early church understood sanctification as both a status change and an ongoing transformation.

Theological Significance

The doctrine of sanctification, rooted in ἁγιάζω, reveals God’s commitment to not only declare His people holy but to make them holy. This dual aspect reflects both His judicial declaration and His transformative power.

This word powerfully demonstrates the trinitarian nature of sanctification: the Father sanctions it, the Son secures it, and the Spirit applies it. It stands as a testament to God’s complete work in salvation, showing that He not only saves from sin’s penalty but also from its power.

Personal Application

Understanding ἁγιάζω challenges believers to view sanctification not as mere moral improvement but as a divine work of transformation. This perspective encourages us to cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying work while remembering that God Himself is the source and power of our holiness.

Related Words

• ἅγιος (holy) – See G40
• ἁγιασμός (sanctification) – See G38
• ἁγιότης (holiness) – See G41
• ἁγνός (pure) – See G53

Did You Know?

• The English word “saint” derives from the same word family as ἁγιάζω
• Modern Greek still uses ἁγιάζω in ecclesiastical contexts
• The word appears in ancient Greek magical papyri, showing its broader cultural impact

Remember This

“To be sanctified is to be both set apart by God and being transformed into His likeness—a divine work with human participation.”