Pronunciation Guide: ho-see-oh-TACE
Quick Answer: ὁσιότης (hosiotēs) means “holiness” or “piety” – the sacred quality of living in harmony with יהוה’s (Yahweh’s) divine nature. It represents faithful devotion expressed through righteous conduct, appearing only twice in the New Testament but carrying profound theological weight as the hallmark of authentic spiritual transformation.
What Does ὁσιότης Mean?
Strong’s G3742: ὁσιότης represents the profound concept of divine holiness lived out in human experience. This remarkable Greek word encompasses more than mere moral uprightness—it describes the sacred quality of life that flows from intimate relationship with יהוה (Yahweh). Unlike external religious observance, ὁσιότης captures the essence of a heart transformed by divine grace, manifesting in faithful devotion and righteous conduct. The word appears in the New Testament as the goal of spiritual maturation, describing believers who have learned to walk “in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days” as Zechariah prophesied. This is holiness not as human achievement but as divine gift—the very nature of the Messiah imparted to His followers.
Key Insight: ὁσιότης is holiness that flows from the inside out, transforming both heart and behavior through divine power.
Where Does ὁσιότης Come From?
- Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
- Root Words: Derived from ὅσιος (hosios, G3741) meaning “holy, pious, devout”
- Language Origin: Classical Greek with deep theological development in biblical usage
- Primary Usage: Sacred observance of duties toward God, piety, holiness
- Hebrew Equivalents: יֹשֶׁר (yosher) – uprightness, integrity; תֹּם (tom) – completeness, integrity
What Is the Historical and Cultural Context of ὁσιότης?
The journey of ὁσιότης from classical Greek literature to biblical revelation reveals a fascinating development in humanity’s understanding of holiness. In classical Greek writings by Xenophon, Plato, and Isocrates, the root word ὅσιος described what was “sanctioned by the supreme law of God and nature”—a concept that distinguished divine approval from mere human custom. Plato specifically contrasted ὅσιος (divine righteousness) with δίκαιος (human justice), noting that one could act δικαίως toward humans while acting ὁσίως toward the gods.
Etymology and Development
The etymological roots of ὁσιότης connect to ancient Indo-European concepts of truth and moral order. Some scholars link it to Sanskrit सत्य (satya, “true”), though this connection remains debated. What emerges clearly is that ὁσιότης represented something inherently aligned with divine order—not merely following rules, but living in harmony with cosmic truth.
Septuagint Significance
The Septuagint translators chose ὁσιότης to render Hebrew concepts like יֹשֶׁר (uprightness) in Deuteronomy 9:5 and תֹּם (integrity) in 1 Kings 9:4. This translation choice was profound—the Greek word captured not just moral behavior but the Hebrew ideal of walking blamelessly before יהוה (Yahweh). The translators understood that biblical holiness transcended Greek philosophical categories, requiring a word that encompassed both divine character and human response.
Historical Summary: ὁσιότης evolved from classical Greek philosophy through Septuagint theology to New Testament transformation, always pointing toward divine-human harmony.
How Is ὁσιότης Used in the Bible?
ὁσιότης appears only twice in the New Testament—in Luke 1:75 and Ephesians 4:24—yet these appearances carry extraordinary theological weight. Both passages present ὁσιότης not as human achievement but as divine gift, marking the fulfilled purpose of redemption.
In Luke’s Gospel, the word appears in Zechariah’s prophetic song celebrating the Messiah’s coming. The aged priest envisions Israel’s deliverance enabling them “to serve Him without fear, in holiness (ὁσιότητι) and righteousness before Him all our days.” Here ὁσιότης represents the ultimate goal of messianic salvation—not mere forgiveness, but transformation into people who naturally live in harmony with יהוה’s (Yahweh’s) character.
Paul’s usage in Ephesians presents ὁσιότης as the hallmark of “the new self” created in the Messiah’s image. Believers are called to “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (ὁσιότητι) of the truth.” This is not external conformity but internal transformation—the very nature of the Holy One implanted in human hearts.
Usage Summary: Both biblical uses present ὁσιότης as the divine goal of redemption—transformed people living in harmony with God’s character.
- Luke 1:75 – “In holiness [ὁσιότητι] and righteousness before him all our days”
- Ephesians 4:24 – “And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness [ὁσιότητι] of the truth”
How Should ὁσιότης Be Translated?
Primary Meanings:
- Holiness (divine character lived out)
- Piety (faithful devotion to God)
- Sacred devotion (worship through lifestyle)
- Divine righteousness (God’s nature expressed in human life)
- Sanctified living (set apart for God’s purposes)
Translation Tip: Context determines whether emphasis falls on devotional attitude (piety) or moral character (holiness).
ὁσιότης Translation Options:
| Translation | Context | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| “holiness” | Describing transformed character | Emphasizes the divine nature imparted to believers |
| “piety” | Focusing on devotional aspect | Highlights faithful observance of duties toward God |
| “sacred devotion” | Worship context | Captures the reverent, set-apart quality of life |
| “godliness” | Practical Christian living | Shows how divine character expresses in daily conduct |
| “sanctified living” | Sanctification teaching | Emphasizes the process of being set apart for God |
What Does ὁσιότης Teach Us About God?
ὁσιότης reveals the heart of יהוה’s (Yahweh’s) redemptive purpose—not merely to forgive sinners but to transform them into His own likeness. When Scripture speaks of believers putting on the new self “created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness,” it unveils the stunning reality that the Creator desires to share His own nature with His children. This is not divine diminishment but divine generosity—the Holy One making a way for the unholy to participate in His holiness.
The concept also illuminates God’s character as both transcendent and immanent. ὁσιότης represents holiness that is absolutely other than human goodness yet graciously accessible through divine gift. יהוה (Yahweh) remains infinitely holy while drawing near to make His people holy. The word captures this beautiful paradox: the God who dwells in unapproachable light making His dwelling place in human hearts.
Theological Core: ὁσιότης reveals God’s desire to share His own holy nature with His beloved children through grace.
How Can I Apply ὁσιότης to My Life?
The call to ὁσιότης is not a burden but an invitation—יהוה (Yahweh) calling you to experience the life you were created to live. Rather than striving to manufacture holiness through religious effort, you’re invited to receive the divine nature as a gift through union with the Messiah. This transforms both motivation and method: instead of “I must be holy,” the believer declares “I am holy in Him, now let me live accordingly.”
Practically, ὁσιότης means allowing the Holy Spirit to align every area of your life with יהוה’s (Yahweh’s) character. This includes your relationships, work, worship, and rest—not as separate compartments but as integrated expressions of divine life within you. The goal is not perfection but authenticity: living as who you truly are in the Messiah rather than pretending to be something you’re not.
Self-Examination Questions: Am I seeking holiness as divine gift or human achievement? How is the Messiah’s nature expressing itself through my daily choices?
What Words Are Similar to ὁσιότης?
- ἁγιωσύνη (hagiōsynē) – “holiness, sanctification” – Emphasizes the process of being set apart – See G0042
- δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē) – “righteousness” – Often paired with ὁσιότης, focusing on justice and right relationships – See G1343
- εὐσέβεια (eusebeia) – “godliness, piety” – Emphasizes reverent worship and practical devotion – See G2150
- ἁγιότης (hagiotēs) – “holiness” – More formal, ceremonial aspect of holiness – See G0041
- σεμνότης (semnotēs) – “dignity, reverence” – Focuses on the reverent demeanor that flows from holiness – See G4587
Did You Know?
- What does ὁσιότης mean in modern Greek? Modern Greek retains the word with similar meaning—holiness, piety, and devotion to God.
- How did Plato use ὅσιος? Plato distinguished between δίκαιος (human justice) and ὅσιος (divine righteousness), with the latter representing what pleases the gods rather than merely satisfying human laws.
- What’s the difference between ὁσιότης and ἁγιωσύνη? ὁσιότης emphasizes the character quality of holiness, while ἁγιωσύνη focuses more on the process of sanctification.
- Why does the Bible use ὁσιότης in Luke 1:75? Luke chose this word to capture Zechariah’s vision of Israel finally living in harmony with יהוה’s (Yahweh’s) character through the Messiah’s work.
- How does ὁσιότης relate to the image of God? Paul uses ὁσιότης in Ephesians 4:24 to describe believers being “created to be like God,” showing holiness as participation in divine nature.
- What causes spiritual coldness today? Often it’s pursuing external religious performance rather than receiving the divine nature that produces authentic ὁσιότης.
- Rare manuscript evidence – The word appears in some early Christian writings outside the canon, always maintaining its meaning of divine character expressed in human life, showing the consistency of early Christian understanding.
Remember This
ὁσιότης is not what you do for God, but what God does in you—His own holy nature flowing through surrendered hearts to transform both character and conduct in beautiful harmony with His will.
