ἁγιότης – Pronunciation Guide: hag-ee-ot-ace (hag as in “haggle”, ee as in “see”, ot as in “hot”, ace as in “face”)
Basic Definition
Strong’s G41: Holiness; the state or quality of being set apart for God. This term represents not just moral purity but a consecrated state of being that reflects God’s own nature and character.
Word Study
- Part of Speech: Noun (feminine)
- Root: From ἅγιος (hagios), meaning “holy” or “set apart”
Morphology:
- ἁγιότης (nominative singular) – holiness
- ἁγιότητος (genitive singular) – of holiness
- ἁγιότητι (dative singular) – in/with holiness
Word Origin & History
The term ἁγιότης emerges from the ancient Greek concept of that which belongs to the divine realm. In classical Greek literature, it appears in works discussing religious consecration and divine attributes. The word family is connected to the verb ἁγιάζω (hagiazō), meaning “to make holy” or “to sanctify.”
The concept evolved from early Greek religious usage, where it designated objects, places, or persons set apart for divine service, to its fuller theological development in biblical literature.
Biblical Usage
In the New Testament, ἁγιότης represents an essential attribute of God and a quality He imparts to His people. It appears most prominently in discussions of Christian character and spiritual transformation.
Key Passages:
- 2 Corinthians 1:12 – Paul’s testimony of living in godly holiness
- Hebrews 12:10 – God’s discipline leads to sharing His holiness
Cultural Insights
In the ancient Mediterranean world, holiness was often associated with ritual purity and separation from the common or profane. However, the biblical concept of ἁγιότης transcended mere ceremonial cleanness to encompass a transformative quality that affected every aspect of life. Archaeological evidence from early Christian communities shows how this understanding influenced their daily practices, from shared meals to business dealings.
Theological Significance
ἁγιότης represents a fundamental attribute of God’s nature, reflecting His absolute moral perfection and transcendence above creation. This divine quality becomes the standard and goal for believers’ transformation.
The New Testament presents ἁγιότης as both a gift and a calling – it is something God imparts through His Spirit while simultaneously calling believers to pursue it actively. This dual aspect highlights the dynamic relationship between divine enablement and human responsibility in spiritual growth.
Personal Application
Understanding ἁγιότης challenges us to view holiness not as mere rule-keeping but as a transformative relationship with God that affects every aspect of life. Just as a iron taking on the properties of fire when placed in it, our proximity to God’s holiness should naturally result in our character being transformed to reflect His.
Related Words
- ἅγιος (hagios) – holy, set apart – See G40
- ἁγιασμός (hagiasmos) – sanctification – See G38
- ἁγιωσύνη (hagiosyne) – holiness – See G42
- ἁγιάζω (hagiazo) – to make holy – See G37
Did You Know?
- The concept of ἁγιότης influenced early Christian architecture, with sacred spaces designed to reflect divine holiness
- Ancient Greek temples used the related term ἅγιος to mark boundaries between sacred and common areas
- The word family of ἁγιότης has given us modern terms like “hagiography” (biography of saints) and “hagiology” (study of holy things)
Remember This
ἁγιότης is not just a standard to achieve but a divine quality to receive and reflect, transforming us from glory to glory into His image.
