Question 40: What does it mean to say that God is holy?

Answer:

To say that God is holy means that He is utterly set apart, pure, and perfect in all His ways. He is without sin, completely righteous, and worthy of awe and reverence. His holiness defines His character and reveals His glory, demanding our worship and calling us to be holy in return. (Isaiah 6:3, Leviticus 19:2, 1 Samuel 2:2, Revelation 4:8, 1 Peter 1:15–16)

Full Scripture References

“And they were calling out to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.’” — Isaiah 6:3 (BSB)

“Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.” — Leviticus 19:2 (BSB)

“There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God.” — 1 Samuel 2:2 (BSB)

“They do not rest day or night, saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’” — Revelation 4:8 (BSB)

“But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” — 1 Peter 1:15–16 (BSB)

Expanded Explanation of Catechism Question

To say that God is holy is to recognize His utter uniqueness, moral perfection, and transcendent purity. Holiness is not just one of God’s attributes—it encompasses all His attributes. His love is holy, His justice is holy, His power is holy. In both the Old and New Testaments, God is repeatedly described as “holy, holy, holy”—a threefold declaration of His absolute separation from all sin and impurity (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8).

The holiness of God evokes awe and reverence. When Isaiah encountered the holiness of God, he was overwhelmed by his own sinfulness (Isaiah 6). Likewise, when Peter realized who Jesus was, he said, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). God’s holiness reveals our unholiness, and this drives us to repentance. It also comforts us, because God’s holy nature means He is completely trustworthy—incapable of corruption, evil, or deceit.

The Book of Common Prayer reflects God’s holiness throughout its liturgy, especially in the Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts”) and the confession of sin, acknowledging that we come before a holy God only by grace. Article I of the Thirty-Nine Articles describes God as “of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness,” implying His moral purity. His holiness is not cold or distant—it is radiant with truth, beauty, and life.

God’s holiness also defines our calling. As Leviticus and 1 Peter declare, “Be holy, because I am holy.” This command flows from our relationship to God: because we belong to Him, we are to reflect His character. Holiness, then, is not legalism but consecration—a life set apart for God. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us through the Word, conforming us to the image of Christ, who is the perfect display of divine holiness in human flesh.

As Bishop J.C. Ryle wrote, “Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God.” The more we behold God’s holiness, the more we see the worth of Christ’s atonement and the beauty of a life lived in obedience to Him. The Church exists to worship the Holy One and to become, by grace, a holy people. This is our high calling—not just to admire God’s holiness, but to share in it.

Early Church Fathers on Catechism Question

St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130–202 AD) wrote: “God is holy and merciful, and those who know Him must strive to reflect His holiness through faith and obedience.” — Against Heresies, 4.16.4

Irenaeus connected God’s holiness with the believer’s moral transformation and reverent worship. St. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150–215 AD) taught: “God alone is holy by nature, but He calls us to partake of His holiness by His grace.” — Stromata, 7.10

Clement affirmed that holiness is a divine attribute shared with believers through union with God. St. Athanasius (c. 296–373 AD) declared: “God is holy, and in His holiness He is both judge and savior, condemning sin and rescuing the sinner.” — On the Incarnation, 20

Athanasius saw God’s holiness not only in His justice, but in His redemptive love. St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407 AD) preached: “Holiness is the highest praise of God. Therefore the angels cry continually, ‘Holy, holy, holy.’” — Homily on Isaiah 6

Chrysostom emphasized the centrality of holiness in heavenly and earthly worship. St. Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) said: “God is holy, not because He refrains from evil—He is holiness itself, and in Him is no shadow of sin.” — Expositions on the Psalms, 99.1

Augustine taught that God’s holiness is essential and unchanging, the very standard of righteousness.