ἁγνότης (hagnotēs)
hagnotēs
purity
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun hagnotēs refers to a state of moral and ritual purity, often carrying the specific nuance of chastity or uprightness in conduct. Derived from the adjective hagnos, it describes a life that is free from defilement and aligned with holy standards. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, both within the letters of Paul to the Corinthian church.
Paul uses hagnotēs to describe the qualities that characterize genuine ministry. He lists it alongside other virtues such as love and the Holy Spirit in 2 Corinthians 6:6, presenting it as an essential attribute of a servant’s integrity. Later, in 2 Corinthians 11:2, he expresses concern for the church’s singular devotion to Christ, using the word to highlight the need for pure, undivided commitment. The term thus points to both personal moral cleanliness and faithful relational loyalty.
While related to holiness (hagiasmos), hagnotēs focuses more on the practical outworking of purity in behavior and character. It is not merely an internal state but a visible quality of life that reflects reverence for God. Translators typically render it as "purity" or "chastity," depending on the context, emphasizing the tangible nature of this virtue in Christian witness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hagnotēs points to a life marked by moral clarity and sincere devotion. It describes a heart and conduct that remain free from hidden motives or spiritual compromise. In a culture often driven by performance, this virtue invites us to examine our inner motivations, seeking integrity in how we serve and love others.
Paul highlights this quality as essential for genuine ministry, linking it with the Holy Spirit and sincere love. It suggests that true service flows from a clean heart, one that is undivided in its loyalty to Christ. This purity is not just about avoiding wrong actions but about cultivating a positive, wholehearted commitment to God’s standards.
When we strive for this kind of uprightness, we reflect the character of Jesus more clearly. It offers a steady foundation for our relationships and our witness, reminding us that God values the sincerity of our hearts as much as our outward deeds. May we find encouragement in pursuing this simple, focused devotion to Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- purity,1×
- purity1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἁγνότητος1×
- ἁγνότητι,1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 6:6
in pureness, in knowledge, in perseverance, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,
Paul lists purity alongside the Holy Spirit and sincere love, showing it as a visible mark of authentic ministry rather than just personal piety.
-
II Corinthians 11:3
But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
Although the noun form does not appear here, the context of being corrupted from simplicity connects directly to the loss of the undivided devotion that hagnotēs describes.