ἁγνός (hagnos)
hagnos
pure
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word hagnos describes a state of being pure, chaste, or undefiled. It appears in eight New Testament verses, frequently describing moral integrity in people like Timothy’s younger widows (1 Timothy 5:22) or the qualities of believers’ thoughts (Philippians 4:8). Unlike words that focus on ritual cleanliness, hagnos emphasizes a personal wholeness and freedom from guilt.
Its root connects to reverence and sacredness, suggesting that purity is not just about avoiding sin but maintaining a dignified character worthy of respect. The sources note a subtle distinction from similar terms: while other words might describe something purified like winnowed grain, hagnos carries a sense of solemnity and moral steadfastness. It is used for both people and abstract concepts, such as the wisdom that is "pure" (James 3:17).
Translators often render hagnos as "pure" or "chaste," capturing its ethical weight. The term appears in contexts urging believers to live without blemish, reflecting a life aligned with divine standards. Its usage highlights that true purity involves both internal integrity and external conduct, serving as a model for holy living.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hagnos points to a life that is clean, sincere, and free from hidden motives. It is more than just following rules; it describes a heart that aligns with God’s nature. When Scripture calls us to be pure, it invites us into a state of integrity where our inner thoughts match our outer actions.
This purity is not achieved by isolation but by focusing on what is true and honorable. As Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8, we are encouraged to dwell on things that are pure and worthy of praise. This focus shapes our character over time, helping us live with dignity and respect before others.
Living this way brings peace. It allows us to walk steadily through difficult seasons without being weighed down by guilt or shame. We can trust that God sees our efforts to keep our hearts clean and uses them to bless those around us.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- pure6×
- pure,1×
- innocent1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἁγνὴν2×
- ἁγνός1×
- ἁγνὸν1×
- ἁγνή1×
- ἁγνάς,1×
- ἁγνά,1×
- ἁγνοὺς1×
Key Verses
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Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
This verse links purity directly to the discipline of thought, showing that hagnos begins in the mind before it appears in behavior.
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James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Here, purity is the first quality of heavenly wisdom, indicating that true understanding starts with a clean heart free from hypocrisy.
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I Timothy 5:22
Lay hands hastily on no one. Don’t be a participant in other people’s sins. Keep yourself pure.
Paul’s command to keep oneself pure serves as a practical warning against being drawn into the sins or controversies of others.
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II Corinthians 11:2
For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you in marriage to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
Paul uses the metaphor of a pure virgin to describe the church’s singular devotion to Christ, highlighting fidelity in relationship.