The Role of the Holy Spirit in Sanctification

The sanctification process, which follows the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, is also the work of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:11; 2 Th 2:13; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet 1:2). In 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, Paul is contrasting the difference between the believer’s old life with all of its sinfulness with his or her new life whereby the body of the believer becomes “a temple of the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5 demonstrates an unqualified exclusion of human effort in the sanctification process (cf. Rom 9:12; Eph 2:9).