ἅγιος
| Strong's # | G40 |
|---|---|
| Greek Spelling | ἅγιος |
| Pronunciation | HAH-gee-ohs |
| Transliteration | Hagios |
| Definition | holy, set apart, sacred |
Notable Occurences
1 Peter 1:16 “Be holy, for I am holy,” quoting God’s call for His people to reflect His character.
Romans 1:7 Paul addresses the believers in Rome as “saints,” a translation of hagios, meaning those who are set apart for God.
Hebrews 9:12 Christ entered the Most Holy Place once for all, by His own blood, securing eternal redemption.
Revelation 4:8 The heavenly creatures cry out “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,” emphasizing God’s utter otherness and perfection.
Insights
Hagios expresses the idea of being set apart from the ordinary and dedicated to God’s purposes. It’s a term used for God’s own nature, but also for people, places, or things made sacred by association with Him. In the New Testament, believers are called hagios—not because of moral perfection, but because God has chosen and consecrated them. Holiness isn't only about behavior; it’s about identity and belonging. The call to be holy is a call to reflect God's distinctiveness in the world.