Bulletin Insert: The Meaning of Holiness (Jan. 24, 2020)

 

The Meaning of the word “Holy” as a Divine Attribute

(Pastor Terry Reese; Valley GBC, Armagh; 1/23/21)

 

A. The English word “Holy” is derived from the Old English hālig (“whole”) referring to "wholeness." Used in reference to that which is wholly pure, or a thing wholly devoted unto sacred purposes.

 

B. The original Hebrew & Greek words convey the same idea.

i. Kadesh (Hebrew): set-apartness, separateness.

ii. Hagios (Greek): set apart, sacred, consecrated.

Originally, the root meaning may have simply indicated the idea of set-apartness, without any special reference to moral purity.

Eventually, in the course of time, the terms took on moral dimensions, indicating separation from impurity.

 

Holiness = Separation (2 Cor. 6:14-18).

 

C. The Meaning of the term as a Divine Attribute.

Again, the idea of separatedness.

 

i. The Primary idea: Transcendence (over-and-aboveness).

God is utterly separated from, and infinitely transcends all things that are either earthly or creaturely. God is infinitely high, over and above Creation—even the loftiest of angels (Isa. 6:2). He is in a unique class by Himself, and as an infinite Being, can never be fully fathomed by any creature; a Holiness of MAJESTY.

 

ii. Holiness is also a matter of moral purity.  

God is separated from all that is morally unclean.

 

iii. The two ideas are related.

i. The idea of holiness as moral purity & separation is ultimately derived from the other idea of holiness transcendent Majesty.

ii. In both Testaments, the idea of Holiness as moral purity becomes most frequent in its usage. The two ideas are joined in the concept of God as a lofty and incomprehensible Majesty of supreme greatness and moral excellence. 

 

D. THUS… we—sinful creatures—need a Savior!

Q. “WHO is intrinsically qualified to enter a Holy God’s Presence?”

A. Ps. 15:1-5; 24:3-4. But all of US have sinned! (Rom. 3:10; 23)

Only Christ—the pure & righteous King of Glory (Ps. 24:7-10)—is intrinsically acceptable. Those who enter into covenant with Him through faith have the assurance that He has taken their sins on Himself & that they are clothed in His perfect righteousness (2Cor. 5:21).