Overview

Justification changes our standing; sanctification changes our nature. This chapter confesses the lifelong work by which God, through Christ’s Word and Spirit, progressively makes the justified actually holy — putting sin to death and raising up new life, in every part though not yet perfectly, with a real and ultimately victorious war against indwelling corruption.

The Confession, Section by Section

13.1 — Real and progressive renewal

They who are effectually called and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection, by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them: the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and strengthened, in all saving graces, to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless.” (1 Thess. 5:23, ESV)

“We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” (Rom. 6:6, ESV)

“Strive… for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (Heb. 12:14, ESV)

Further proofs: Acts 20:32; Rom. 6:14; Gal. 5:24; Col. 1:11; Eph. 4:23–24; 2 Cor. 7:1.

Exposition: Sanctification is “real and personal” — not a legal fiction but an actual transformation, flowing “through the virtue of Christ’s death and resurrection” applied by Word and Spirit. Its two motions are mortification (sin’s dominion destroyed, lusts “more and more weakened and mortified”) and vivification (“more and more quickened and strengthened… to the practice of true holiness”). It is progressive — “more and more” — and necessary: “without which no man shall see the Lord.” Note: sin’s dominion is broken at once; sin’s presence is removed only gradually.

13.2 — The remaining war

This sanctification is throughout in the whole man, yet imperfect in this life: there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every part; whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” (Gal. 5:17, ESV)

Further proofs: Rom. 7:18, 23; 1 Thess. 5:23; 1 Pet. 2:11; 1 John 1:10.

Exposition: Sanctification reaches “the whole man” but remains “imperfect in this life.” “Remnants of corruption” linger in every part, so the Christian life is “a continual and irreconcilable war.” This explains the believer’s experience: not sinless calm but ongoing battle. The presence of the fight is itself a sign of grace — only the regenerate feel the Spirit warring against the flesh.

13.3 — The certain outcome

In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail, yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome: and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Scripture Proofs (ESV):

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6, ESV)

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:57, ESV)

Further proofs: Rom. 6:14; 2 Cor. 3:18; 7:1; 2 Pet. 3:18; Eph. 4:15–16.

Exposition: The war is real but the outcome is not in doubt. Corruption “may much prevail” for a time, but “the regenerate part doth overcome” — not by the believer’s grit but “through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ.” Sanctification is God’s work in us, which He will finish (Phil. 1:6). So the believer fights from victory, not merely for it.

Doctrinal Summary

Sanctification is the gracious, ongoing work of God’s Word and Spirit, flowing from Christ’s death and resurrection, by which the regenerate are really and progressively renewed — sin’s dominion destroyed and its lusts mortified, new graces quickened — in the whole person though imperfectly in this life. A continual war between flesh and Spirit remains, in which corruption may for a time prevail, but the regenerate part, supplied by Christ’s Spirit, surely overcomes, so the saints grow in grace toward the holiness without which none shall see the Lord.

Connections

• WLC Q75 — “Sanctification is a work of God’s grace, whereby they whom God hath, before the foundation of the world, chosen to be holy, are in time, through the powerful operation of his Spirit applying the death and resurrection of Christ unto them, renewed in their whole man after the image of God…”; Q77 — how justification and sanctification differ.
• WSC Q35 — “Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.”
• WCF 11 (justification — distinct from but inseparable from sanctification), WCF 12 (adoption), WCF 16 (good works, the fruit of sanctification), WCF 17 (perseverance, which secures sanctification’s outcome).
• Loci: Sanctification (definitive and progressive; mortification and vivification); the ordo salutis.

Pastoral & Practical Significance

This chapter is realistic and hopeful at once. It refuses two false gospels: the perfectionism that promises sin can be wholly eradicated now (13.2 says corruption remains in every part), and the despair that concludes the war means you are not saved (13.3 says the regenerate part surely overcomes). If you find the Christian life a fight, the Confession says: of course — that is what sanctification feels like. Take heart that the very ability to grieve and battle sin is the Spirit’s work in you. And rest your hope not on the strength of your striving but on “the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ.” You are called to strive, but you strive in a war already won, toward a holiness God Himself has promised to complete.

Crucially, keep justification and sanctification distinct yet joined: you are not made acceptable to God by your progress in holiness (that is justification, by Christ’s righteousness alone), but real holiness inevitably follows from union with Christ. Sanctification is the grateful, Spirit-empowered response of those already accepted.

For Reflection

• Do I expect the Christian life to be a war, or am I disillusioned every time I find sin still present?
• Where am I trying to win sanctification by willpower rather than drawing on “the continual supply of strength” from Christ’s Spirit?
• How do I keep justification (my standing, secure in Christ) and sanctification (my growth, ongoing and imperfect) distinct without separating them?