The word “Holy” is one of many Biblical words which have changed their association, if not their meaning, in the minds of men. To call anybody “a holy man” was once an expression of high admiration, whereas now, to many, it is almost a term of contempt. Men use it as an epithet to describe one whom they feel to be sanctimonious, or even self-righteous and spiritually arrogant. Nothing, however, could be further from the truth.
Most students of the Scriptures will know that the real meaning of the word translated “holy” is “separated” or “set apart.” The word “saint” is related to the same root, and means sanctified or separated one. It is most important to remember, however, that this quality of “holiness” is not a negative We do not become holy men and women merely by “separating ourselves” from our fellows.1 One of the condemnations, of Israel was that they had adopted this attitude. . .”which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me, for I am holier than thou.” “These are a smoke in my nose,” says God, “a fire that burneth all the day.” True it is that the call to holiness some-times involves adopting a negative attitude in matters of conduct—it requires the saints to refuse participation in many of the world’s activities—yet essentially holiness is a positive, an affirmation rather than a negation. “Separate ye Barnabas and Saul,” said the Spirit, “for the work whereunto I have called them.”2 And later it was Paul himself who reminded the Roman believers that they were “separated unto the Gospel of God.” Here the emphasis is seen to be on the positive aspect of their calling...separated, not “from,” so much as “unto the Gospel.” To be holy in the Scriptural sense, then, is to be set apart by God for some specific purpose.
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Author: L. W. Richardson
Keywords: Holy, Holiness, Separation, Separated ones, Holier than thou, Holy man, Saint, Set apart, Be ye holy
Bible reference(s): Leviticus 11:44, Leviticus 19:2, Leviticus 20:7, Matthew 7:6, Acts 3:12, Acts 13:2, Romans 6:19, Romans 6:22, 1 Corinthians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Ephesians 1:4, Ephesians 4:24, Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:7, 1 Timothy 2:15, Titus 2:3, Hebrews 12:14, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Revelation 18:20 , Revelation 22:11
Source: “Holiness: Without Which No Man Shall See the Lord,” The Testimony, Vol. 13, No. 153, September 1943, pp. 219-20.
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