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13 Bible Verses About Holiness (KJV)

God calls His people to holiness, not as a burden, but as the beautiful shape of a life set apart for Him. Here is what the Bible says.

What the Bible says about holiness

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:15-16
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
Matthew 5:8
“I beseech you therefore, brethren... that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
Romans 12:1
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
Psalm 51:10
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”
2 Timothy 1:9

God saves and calls us with a holy calling, not by our works but by his own purpose and grace.

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”
Ephesians 1:4

Before the world's foundation God chose us to be holy and blameless before him in love.

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
1 Peter 2:9

We are a holy nation and royal priesthood, called out of darkness to show forth God's praises.

“For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”
Hebrews 12:10

God disciplines us for our good, that we might share in his holiness as beloved children.

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23

Paul prays the God of peace would sanctify us wholly and keep us blameless until Christ comes.

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”
Titus 2:12

Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this world.

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”
Psalm 24:3-4

Only those with clean hands and a pure heart may ascend to stand in God's holy place.

“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
Ephesians 4:24

We are to put on the new self, created after God in true righteousness and holiness.

Holiness is not perfection you achieve, but a life increasingly set apart for God, which His Spirit works in you.

How these verses point to Christ

Holiness is being set apart for God, and it is impossible for us to achieve alone. Jesus lived the sinless life we could not and gave himself to make us clean. By his blood he sanctifies us, and by his Spirit he shapes us into his likeness. Holiness is therefore both his gift and his ongoing work in us, freeing us to belong wholly to the God who loves us.

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People also ask

What does the Bible say about holiness?
God calls His people to be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16), pursuing purity of heart (Matthew 5:8) and offering their lives to Him (Romans 12:1).
How can I be holy?
Holiness is God's work in you as you surrender to Him, pursue purity, and let His Spirit renew your heart (Psalm 51:10). It is grace-empowered, not self-made.
Why does God want us to be holy?
Because He is holy and made us for fellowship with Him; holiness is the shape of a life set apart for God and reflecting His character.
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