Holiness means sanctified or the state of being set apart for The Master's use and His glory. The Lord commands us to be holy even as our Heavenly Father is holy. This means that we are to be unspotted from the corruption that is in the world through ungodly lust or worldly passions.
Scriptures That Define Holiness
- 2 Timothy 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.
- Isaiah 35:8 - And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
- 2 Corinthians 7:1 - Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
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- Hebrews 12:14 - Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
- 1 Peter 2:9 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
- 1 Thessalonians 4:7 - For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
- Leviticus 20:26 - And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23 - And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Biblical Scholars on Holiness and Living Holy:
| Church Father (Time Period) | Paraphrase with Scriptural Reference |
|---|---|
| Augustine of Hippo (354–430) | Holiness is attained by aligning the will entirely with God. (Romans 12:1–2) |
| John Chrysostom (347–407) | A life set apart in devotion to God exemplifies true sanctity. (1 Peter 1:16) |
| Jerome (347–420) | Holiness grows when one renounces worldly attachments. (1 Thessalonians 4:7) |
| Gregory of Nyssa (335–395) | Purity of heart is the pathway to spiritual ascent and divine vision. (Matthew 5:8) |
| Basil the Great (329–379) | Godliness is expressed through acts of charity and obedience. (1 Timothy 4:8) |
| Ambrose of Milan (340–397) | Sanctity is cultivated through constant prayer and moral vigilance. (Psalm 119:9) |
| Cyril of Alexandria (376–444) | Holiness is internalized when one seeks God above all. (Psalm 24:3–4) |
| Athanasius of Alexandria (296–373) | The holy life imitates Christ’s perfection and self-sacrifice. (Ephesians 5:1–2) |
| Ephrem the Syrian (306–373) | Purity of soul fosters clarity in spiritual discernment. (Philippians 4:8) |
| Isidore of Pelusium (d. 436) | Sanctity is expressed in loving service and humility. (Romans 12:1–2) |
| Leo the Great (400–461) | Holiness guides leadership with justice and mercy. (1 Peter 1:15–16) |
| Peter Chrysologus (c. 380–450) | A sacred life is marked by obedience and moral integrity. (Romans 6:22) |
| Hilary of Poitiers (c. 310–367) | Purity and godliness protect the soul from corruption. (1 Corinthians 6:19–20) |
| Gregory Nazianzen (329–390) | Sanctity flows from contemplation and union with God. (Psalm 73:28) |
| John of Damascus (675–749) | A holy life involves constant remembrance of God and moral vigilance. (1 Thessalonians 5:23) |
| Maximus the Confessor (580–662) | Holiness is conformity to God’s will through disciplined virtue. (Romans 12:1) |
| Bede the Venerable (673–735) | Godliness is shown in prayer, charity, and obedience. (Matthew 5:16) |
| Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109) | Holiness is the soul’s pursuit of God above all else. (Colossians 3:1–2) |
| Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153) | Sanctity arises from detachment and love of God. (Psalm 119:2) |
| Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) | Holiness is the perfection of the virtues in conformity with God. (1 Peter 1:15) |
| John Cassian (360–435) | Purity and devotion cultivate a life pleasing to God. (Psalm 24:3–4) |
| Gregory of Tours (538–594) | A sacred life seeks God’s glory above self-interest. (1 Corinthians 10:31) |
| Irenaeus of Lyons (130–202) | Godliness imitates the life of Christ and rejects sin. (Ephesians 4:22–24) |
| Tertullian (155–240) | Holiness preserves the soul from the corruption of the world. (Romans 12:2) |
| Origen (184–253) | Sanctity arises from knowledge and love of God. (John 17:17) |
| Cyprian of Carthage (200–258) | A life devoted to God demonstrates purity and obedience. (Romans 6:19) |
| Clement of Alexandria (150–215) | Godliness is cultivated through virtue and contemplation. (1 Timothy 4:7–8) |
| John Climacus (579–649) | Holiness is achieved by subduing passions and focusing on God. (Matthew 5:8) |
| Leo the Great (400–461) | A holy character reflects mercy, justice, and compassion. (Micah 6:8) |
| Athanasius of Alexandria (296–373) | Purity of heart allows participation in divine life. (1 John 3:3) |
| Ephrem the Syrian (306–373) | Sanctity nurtures spiritual discernment and peace. (Psalm 119:105) |
| Isidore of Pelusium (d. 436) | Holiness manifests in obedience and care for others. (Galatians 5:22–23) |
| Augustine of Hippo (354–430) | Godliness is the soul’s alignment with divine will. (Romans 12:1–2) |
| John Chrysostom (347–407) | Sacred living fosters harmony and moral integrity. (Romans 12:10) |
| Jerome (347–420) | Holiness requires detachment from worldly distractions. (Matthew 6:33) |
| Gregory of Nyssa (335–395) | Purity of spirit enables the soul to perceive God. (Matthew 5:8) |
| Basil the Great (329–379) | Godliness is expressed in charitable works and pious living. (James 1:27) |
| Ambrose of Milan (340–397) | Holiness grows through prayer, fasting, and obedience. (1 Thessalonians 4:7) |
| Cyril of Alexandria (376–444) | Sanctity is interior and reflects in righteous actions. (Psalm 15:1–2) |
| Athanasius of Alexandria (296–373) | Living a holy life imitates Christ’s obedience and humility. (Philippians 2:5–8) |
| Ephrem the Syrian (306–373) | Sanctity guides the soul toward discernment and devotion. (Psalm 119:105) |
| Isidore of Pelusium (d. 436) | Purity of heart is revealed in service and moral vigilance. (Romans 12:1) |
| Leo the Great (400–461) | Godliness informs just and compassionate leadership. (Micah 6:8) |
| Peter Chrysologus (c. 380–450) | Holiness is visible in moral integrity and obedience. (Romans 6:22) |
| Hilary of Poitiers (c. 310–367) | Sanctity protects against corruption and pride. (1 Corinthians 6:19–20) |
| Gregory Nazianzen (329–390) | Godliness is cultivated through contemplation and union with God. (Psalm 73:28) |
| John of Damascus (675–749) | Holiness involves constant remembrance of God and moral vigilance. (1 Thessalonians 5:23) |
| Maximus the Confessor (580–662) | Purity of heart aligns the human will with divine purpose. (Romans 12:1) |
| Bede the Venerable (673–735) | Godliness is shown in obedience, prayer, and charity. (Matthew 5:16) |
| Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109) | Holiness is the soul’s pursuit of God above all else. (Colossians 3:1–2) |
| Bernard of Clairvaux (1090–1153) | Sanctity arises from detachment from the world and love of God. (Psalm 119:2) |
| Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) | Holiness is the perfection of virtues in conformity with God. (1 Peter 1:15) |
| John Cassian (360–435) | Purity and devotion cultivate a life pleasing to God. (Psalm 24:3–4) |
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