Justified

1Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but you are washed, but ye are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 

‘Such were some of you.’ The first five classes of 1Corinthians 6:9-10 have to do with the worst immoralities imaginable and yet it is declared that some of their kind is now saved.

‘But you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.’ Three things that save the soul: [1] Washed. The Greek word apolouo from apo; away from and louo, to wash the whole being, not a part of it. It is used in Acts 22:16 for complete washing from sins; not by baptism, but by calling upon the name of the Lord, as in Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:9-14. Here it is used for complete washing from the sins of 1Corinthians 6:9-10 by calling on the name of Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit (1Cor. 6:11). The Greek: louo without the preposition apo, is used for washing from all sins (Rev. 1:5); the whole feet (John 13:10); the whole body (Acts 9:37; Heb. 10:22); the whole sow (2Pet. 2:22); and all the stripes of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:33). [2] Sanctified. [Greek: hagiazo] to hallow, consecrate, separate from sin unto God (John 17:17). Note how this is put before justification (1Cor. 6:11). [3] Justified. [Greek: dikaioo] to declare righteous or not guilty; justify. It is translated “freed from sin” (Rom. 6:7); “justifier” (Rom. 3:26); “be righteous” (Rev. 22:11); and “justify” 33 times. One is justified the moment he repents and is forgiven (Luke 18:14; Acts 13:39; Rom. 3:24, 28, 30; 4:5; 5:1, 9; 1Cor. 6:11; Gal. 2:16-17; 3:8, 24; Tit. 3:5-7).

Ten proofs when people are justified: when they are washed and sanctified (1Cor. 6:11; 2Cor. 5:17-18); when they repent (Luke 18:13-14); when they believe (Acts 13:38-39; Rom. 3:24-31; 4:5; 5:1; Gal. 2-3); when redeemed (Rom. 3:24; 5:9); when they partake of grace (Rom. 3:24-25; 5:1-2; Tit. 2:11-14; 3:4-7); when they accept God’s call (Rom. 8:30); when born again (Tit. 3:4-7; 1Jn. 2:29; 3:9; 5:1-4, 18; 2Cor. 5:17-18); when brought to Christ (Gal. 3:24; 2Cor. 5:17-18; Gal. 3:27); when reconciled (Rom. 5:9-11; 2Cor. 5:17-21; Col. 1:20-23); when all sins are blotted out (Isa. 43:25; Acts 13:38-39; 1Cor. 6:11). Justification is used of the final settlement between people (Job 11:2; 13:18; 27:5; 32:2; 33:32; Pro. 17:15; Luke 10:29; 16:15); of people clearing God of all wrong (Ps. 51:4; Luke 7:29; Rom. 3:26); and of people justifying themselves of all guilt (Jer. 3:11; Ezek. 16:51-52; Job 9:20; 13:18; 32:2; Luke 16:15). Thus the meaning is clear – to declare not guilty. The justification of man by God simply means that God washes, sanctifies the believer, and declares him no longer guilty (1Cor. 6:9-11; 2Cor. 5:17-18; Acts 13:38-39). God cannot declare one not guilty before he is cleansed from all sin and made holy by the blood of Christ. Sanctification makes the sinner not guilty; justification declares him not guilty.