Sanctify

Concepts100Peter wrote to his readers in 1 Peter 3:13-15, “And who will harm you if you are deeply committed to what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” The word translated honor in verse 15 can perhaps better be translated “sanctify.” It means “to make holy.” Of course, it’s true that no one can make God holy, for He is absolutely holy in and of Himself. Even so, human beings can esteem Him as holy, acknowledging with fervor this overarching attribute of God. The word also is used to convey the idea of “setting apart,” however, and this is the idea that seems to fit best in this context.

Out of 28 occurrences of this Greek word in the Holman Christian Standard Bible, the word’s appearance in 1 Peter 3:15 is the only instance in which “honor” was chosen as the English word to represent the Greek word. Of course, it cannot be denied that the idea of honoring the Messiah as Lord is a part of the meaning and the application intended. In the remaining 27 places the word appears, this term is represented by

  • sanctified in 12 instances, (see Matt. 23:17; John 17:19; Acts 20:32; 26:18; Rom. 15:16; 1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11; 1 Tim. 4:5; Heb. 2:11; 10:10,14,29);
  • sanctify in 5 instances (see John 17:17,19; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 9:13; 13:12);
  • set apart (see John 10:36; 2 Tim. 2:21), set apart for God (see 1 Cor. 7:14, twice), sanctifies (see Matt. 23:19; Heb. 2:11), and honored as holy (see Matt. 6:9; Luke 11:2) in 2 instances each; and
  • made holy (see Rev. 22:11) and make holy (see Eph. 5:26) in 1 instance each.

The Hebrew word meaning “holy” or “to sanctify or to make holy” is used 170 times in the Old Testament. In the HCSB it often is represented by the English words consecrate, consecrated, holy, dedicated, sets apart, and set apart.

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