Such Were Some of You: Washed, Sanctified, Justified

Paul lists patterns of conduct incompatible with inheriting God’s kingdom, then refuses to let the list become a permanent label for the congregation: “such were some of you.” The turning point is threefold—washed, sanctified, justified—in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God.

This passage needs careful language. The Greek vice-list terms have generated major translation debates, especially malakoi and arsenokoitai. The site’s deeper evidence layer should show the lexical questions rather than pretending every modern English label maps neatly onto one ancient word. The central pastoral movement is nevertheless clear: the gospel is not merely a verdict about sin but a claim that people can be cleansed and re-identified in Christ.