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What do we mean when we say "God
is holy?"
The statement "God is holy" has a twofold
meaning: (1) Relationally: God is separate from all
that is finite and earthly; He is our Father in heaven;
(2) Ethically/morally: God is separate from all that
is unclean, impure, and defiled.
Biblical Words for Holy
- Hebrew (qados) = to cut, separate; separation
from common or ordinary use or contact
- Greek (hagios) = to be separated from and
devoted to; both a relational quality and a moral
quality.
God’s holiness represents His transcendent majesty
and absolute moral perfection: Hos. 11:9, "For
I am God, and not man – the Holy One among you."
Read Ps. 113:4-6. God’s transcendence is often
expressed in spatial terms: Num. 24:16, "the
Most High;" Gen. 14:18, "God Most High;"Ps.
47:2, "Lord Most High;" Ps. 83:18, "the
Most High over all the earth;" Dan. 4:2, "the
Most High God." However, as an omnipresent being,
God is also immanent (near). See Dt. 4:39; Jos. 2:11;
Is. 57:15; Jer. 23:23, 24.
Each person of the triune God is explicitly called
holy:
- God the Father is called the "Holy One"
thirty nine times in the Old Testament.
- Jesus called the "Holy One" by angels
(Lk. 1:35); demons (Mk. 1:24); apostles (Jn. 6:69);
prophets (Acts 2:27).
- God the Spirit is called Holy no less than 90xs
in the Bible.
Read Is. 6:1-5; Rev. 4:8. No other attribute of God
is repeated three times.
Read Ps. 45:7; Ps. 5:4-5; Hos. 9:15; Mal. 1:3; Rev.
2:6. How does God relate to the wicked? Note, however,
God’s hate is not like ours. It is principled
indignation, always conditioned by His holiness
and justice.
Likewise, God’s abilities are always conditioned
by His holiness, He cannot be tempted by evil (Jm.
1:13), nor can He lie (Heb. 6:18).
To Consider: Why do you suppose it is important
to define the holiness of God both morally and relationally?
Practical Implications
- Read 1 Pt. 1:15-16; Lev. 19:2; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph.
1:4. What does God command us to be? Do you think
this means morally, relationally, or both? Read
2 Cor. 6:14-7:1.
- Read Heb. 12:14. Is holiness an option in the
Christian life?
- God delights in us as we reflect his moral character
in every thought, attitude, word, and deed. Therefore,
we are to imitate God and thereby glorify his holiness
and goodness (Eph. 5:1; Mt. 5:48; Lk. 6:36; Col.
3:9-10).
- Read Zech. 14:20-21; Eph. 5:26-27; Rev. 21:10-11.
Holiness reveals the character of the coming kingdom
where there will no longer be any notion of separation
from, but pure and unceasing devotion to.
- In what areas of your life can you better demonstrate
personal holiness (morally, relationally)? How do
you plan to make this change?
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