CHAP. V. VER. 27. 329

A larger number of commentators take the ground that the end contemplated in this verse is accomplished in the present life. In other words, that the state of the church here described is one attained in this world. Of those who take this view, some, as the ancient Pela- gians, interpret the passage as teaching that perfect holiness is not only attainable, but is actually attained by believers before death. Others do not understand the passage as speaking of holiness, but of propitiation, which is effected once for all. In this view it is paral- lel to Heb. 10, 10, where we are said to be “sanctified . by the offering of the body of Christ once for all ;” and ver. 14, where it is said, “‘ By the one offering up of himself he hath for ever perfected them that are sanctified.” Both of these passages in Hebrews evi- dently refer to the perfection of Christ’s sacrifice, and they undoubtedly prove, what no one questions, that the words ἁγιάζειν and καθαρίζειν, here used, may ex- press sacrificial purification or expiation. But this is far from proving that these words, and especially the former, are to be so taken here. To sanctify is com- monly, in Scripture language, to make spiritually holy, and this sense is far better suited to the context than any other meaning of the word. But if the design of Christ’s death as here expressed is to render his church perfectly holy, then there can be no debate as to the time when this end is to be accomplished. For even should it be granted, that here and there one among the multitude of believers does attain perfection in this life, of which neither Scripture nor experience affords any example,