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What does sanctified mean here?

Claim:

Paul claims that non-believing people can be “sanctified.” This term always (?) refers to Christians. What does he mean by this?

Response:

Paul doesn’t mean that unbelievers are made righteous (or “holy”) simply because they are married to a Christian. Such a concept is not only completely foreign to Paul’s thinking, but it also contradicts verse 16 (“For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband?”).

Instead, the Greek word for “sanctified” (hagiazō) literally means “to be set apart.” Paul is saying that God will bring extra conviction and attention on a household with only one believer in it. The example of the Philippian jailor is a good example of this. This one man came to Christ, and he led his entire family to Christ (Acts 16:30ff).

About The Author
James Rochford

James earned a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, graduating magna cum laude. He is the founder of Evidence Unseen and the author of several books. James enjoys serving as a pastor at Dwell Community Church in Columbus, Ohio, where he lives with his wife and their two sons.