Sanctification: a Work of the Godhead A treatment of the words describing practical and positional sanctification By Steve Thomas, a paper presented to the Grace Bible Conference July, 2016 Something that is dirty must be cleansed before it can be used. Something that is broken must be fixed before it is useful. God has graciously decided that it is somehow possible for man to participate in the work that He is doing. The Holy Character of God decrees that He can only delight in His own attributes. Paul describes vessels fitted for destruction, but it should be the desire of the believer to be a vessel fitted for the master s use (2 Tim 2:21). There are several words that show us the process by which sinful man becomes useful to God. In His infinite grace He has allowed us to participate in what He is doing in this time and place. Counterfeits to this work have been attempted currently and throughout Church History. The plan of the Father is brilliant both in its design and in its execution. The attempt to do the work of the Godhead is foolish and fraught with danger. Μεταμορφόω met am or fo' o From G3326 and G3445; to transform (literally or figuratively metamorphose ): change, transfigure, transform. transfigured G3339 Mat 17:2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. transfigured G3339 Mar 9:2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, Mar 9:3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. These two passages describe the same event the change that took place in the appearance of Christ. His deity was revealed to the viewers in its literal physical presence. The earthly form that Christ took on (Phil 2) was changed in their presence. transformed G3339 Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. The agency is not as evident as the mechanics of the transformation here. "Transformed" (metamorphoo) here is a present passive imperative. Continually place yourself at the disposal of the renewedness of mind. The Greek word is a compound word that begins with the preposition meta that here refers to change (the normal meaning is "with" or "after" when not compounded with other forms). The root is the noun morphe that simply means "form." It carries the idea of being changed in form an inward form. The English word "metamorphosis" is a transliteration of this Greek term. This is the term used in biology of the transformation of a tadpole into a frog and a chrysalis into a butterfly. The change in form that occurs in the Christian involves function in the new nature which is a quality of the divine nature. This transformation 1
takes place by (en instrumental) the renewedness of the mind. What is this renewedness? Two facts are very important. The word "new" here is the word for new in kind or in quality. The ending of the noun indicates the term describes an action and therefore it is better translated "renewedness." David Spurbeck, sermon notes 11/13 The idea being taught here is that our renewed mind allows us to utilize the mind of Christ that was placed in the believer at the moment of salvation. This is one of the products of the baptism of the Spirit into the body. We can direct the character of Christ (also known as the Fruit of the Spirit) towards each situation. This in fact is the process of practical sanctification. The changing of the believer so that what he was declared to be at initial salvation (justified) he is becoming more and more. This can be more clearly seen in the next passage. changed G3339 2Co 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. ESV 2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord KJV The agent of the transformation is very evident in this passage. As the believer focuses his attention (reflective thinking) on the glory of the Lord, the Spirit mirrors what is being focused on in the life of the believer. Paul s sentiment of not having apprehended (Phil 3) is seen here. The believer will progress in practical sanctification to the degree that he allows the Spirit to continue to do this work in him. If he quenches the Spirit, hinders the work of the Spirit, or grieves the Spirit he will become carnal. Μορφόω mor fo' o From the same as G3444; to fashion (figuratively): form. be formed G3445 Gal 4:19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! Paul indicates that he is more than willing to go back to the time when they were saved and to go through the pain and travail and labor again. He says that this labor is until the time that Christ has been formed in them. That is to say until they remove themselves and put themselves at the disposal of the Holy Spirit so the He can change them. This looks to the point where Christ is formed (1 st aorist). Paul anticipates their arriving at the place where they permit the Holy Spirit to actively work. They place themselves at the disposal of the Holy Spirit (passive). Paul expects the possibility that this might happen (subjunctive). This is not limited to a few believers but to all believers marked by the "you" (2 nd person plural). It appears that shortly after the Galatian Christians became Christians they failed the test of applying the truths they learned concerning the Christian life. They became carnal with the religious works of the flesh which led them back into the practices of Judaism. 2
There were Jewish zealots who were determined to undermine the Christian faith of these Christians. They sought to bring them under their Jewish zeal though their motives were not good for they did this to get an advantage over them. David Spurbeck Sermon notes from Dec, 2013. The efforts of the Galatians were in causing the effect of bondage for them (4:9). Their desire to be the cause and agent of their own sanctification was canceling the effect of the work of the Godhead in their lives. Paul laments that his efforts were in vain (4:11). He declares to them that the work of the Son has set them free, and given them the rights that belong to the heir (sons with priviledge 4:6 7). The Son is being formed in the believer when the believer gets out of the way. Paul is anticipating that this will take place. Αγιασμός hag ee as mos' From G37; properly purification, that is, (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier: holiness, sanctification. sanctification G38 2Th 2:13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. This passage is very clear as to the agent of the work. God chose, the Spirit sanctified. The context here is the contrast between the believer and the one who will be deceived by the lawless one, the one who believes not the truth. The believer will be gathered together at the appropriate time to God. He is classified here in verse 13 by the belief in the truth, sanctification by the Spirit (subjective genitive) sanctification wrought by the Spirit, and salvation. Notice the thanksgiving is being directed towards God. There can be no doubt here as to who is doing the work. sanctification G38 1Pe 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. The subjective genitive is used again ( of the Spirit ). Consider the work of the Godhead evident in just this verse. The foreknowledge belongs to the Father, the Spirit is purifying the believer, which was made possible because of the shed blood of the Savior, Jesus Christ. The Father is familiar with us, every part of us, every event preceding and following our existence, every variable surrounding our existence. Some try to limit the foreknowledge of God to His knowing whether or not we would believe. This is very short sighted. Peter classifies the believer by the work accomplished on him by the Godhead. Αγιάζω hag ee ad' zo From G40; to make holy, that is, (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate: hallow, be holy, sanctify. 3
sanctified G37 Joh 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. The context here is the high priestly prayer of Christ before he went to the cross. He makes request to the Father for the cleansing of the disciples and for all those who will be saved on them through their word (17:20). That would be all the believers who would follow to be saved by reading the gospel through the disciple s inspired words in the Scriptures. The agency of the sanctification is of little doubt in this passage. are sanctified G37 Act 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Paul is repeating before his royal audience the words of Christ to him. We again see the connection of faith placed in Christ with forgiveness and inheritance. The believer receives these things (perfect passive participle), from the implied work of the Godhead. being sanctified G37 Rom 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. The Gentiles have been made fit as an offering by the Holy Ghost. are sanctified G37 1Co 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Paul describes here the positional sanctification of the believers at Corinth. They were living anything but holy lives, but Paul reminds them several times over the first few chapters that they have positional purity in Jesus Christ. are sanctified,g37 1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. What a contrast to verse 10! Paul is reminding them, many who were behaving like those in verse 10, that work had been done on them. Their carnality was resulting in behavior that made them indistinguishable from unbelievers. Paul continues to show them that the work of the Godhead has changed them. sanctified,g37 2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 4
The Purging here is not referring to the cleansing of our selves comparable to what the Godhead has done for us, ie. the cleansing from sin and placing of a divine nature inside of us, but referring to separation from the group that had perverse eschatology and was likened to a canker. We must not be found in that group but cleanse ourselves from those. Speaking, I believe, of church discipline for those who are spreading false doctrine and in our personal lives as well. are sanctified G37 Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, he that sanctifieth Christ who once for all consecrates His people to God (Jud_1:1, bringing them nigh to Him as the consequence) and everlasting glory, by having consecrated Himself for them in His being made perfect (as their expiatory sacrifice) through sufferings (Heb_2:10; Heb_10:10, Heb_10:14, Heb_10:29; Joh_17:17, Joh_17:19). God in His electing love, by Christ s finished work, perfectly sanctifies them to God s service and to heaven once for all: then they are progressively sanctified by the transforming Spirit Sanctification is glory working in embryo; glory is sanctification come to the birth, and manifested [Alford]. they who are sanctified Greek, they that are being sanctified (compare the use of sanctified, 1Co_7:14). Jameson, Faucett, Brown sanctified G37 Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. The crosswork of the Son is emphasized here. The audience here had lost focus on the completed work of Christ. They will make an appearance in our second session. Under law, the work had to be done repeatedly by the priests. The finished work of the Son causes us to rest from our labors and place our minds on His glory, so that the Spirit can continue the work begun at initial salvation. are sanctified.g37 Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. A completion of the thoughts started in the first part of the chapter. are sanctifiedg37 Jud 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: There is a textual issue here with the use of hagiazo. The other reading is To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: the kept for is instrumental, so should be read kept by Jesus Christ. The characterization of the epistle as a General Epistle to all believers fits here. For our purposes we see that the work is done by the Godhead. 5
Ποίημα poy' ay mah From G4160; a product, that is, fabric (literally or figuratively): thing that is made, workmanship. workmanship,g4161 Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. This chapter is a powerful proof of the position of the believer because of the work of the Godhead. A frequent reading of the passage should take the believer s eyes off of his own labors and fix them on the word done on his behalf or on him personally by the persons of the Godhead. The same word is used in the following passage to describe the creation of the universe. Where there is construction, there must be a builder, where there is design, there must be a designer. The Holiness of the believer is the product of the work of the Trinity. Rom 1:20 areg4161 made, Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 6