### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun ἁγιότης (hagiótēs), Strong's `{{G41}}`, is derived from the adjective ἅγιος (hagios), `{{G40}}`, meaning "holy." Its core meaning denotes the state or quality of being holy; sanctity; holiness. Unlike related terms that might emphasize the *act* of making holy (ἁγιάζω - hagiazo, `{{G38}}`) or the *process* of sanctification (ἁγιασμός - hagiasmos, `{{G37}}`), hagiótēs focuses on the *condition* or *inherent attribute* of holiness itself. It describes the intrinsic nature of purity, moral uprightness, and separation from defilement, particularly as it pertains to God's character and, by extension, to those set apart for Him. It signifies the absolute distinctness and moral perfection that characterizes the divine.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
hagiótēs appears only twice in the New Testament, yet each instance carries significant weight:
* **[[2 Corinthians 1:12]]**: "For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with hagiótēs and sincerity."
* Here, Paul uses hagiótēs to describe the manner of his and his companions' conduct. It speaks to a life lived in a state of holiness, characterized by purity of motive and action, which reflects God's own character. The pairing with "sincerity" (εἰλικρίνεια - eilikrineia) suggests an unmixed, transparent, and genuine quality of life. This holiness is not a human achievement but is understood as being empowered and sustained "by the grace of God," contrasting sharply with "fleshly wisdom."
* **[[Hebrews 12:10]]**: "For they indeed for a few days disciplined us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His hagiótēs."
* This verse presents a profound theological truth. God's discipline of believers is not arbitrary or punitive, but purposeful. The ultimate aim is that believers "may be partakers of His hagiótēs." Here, hagiótēs refers explicitly to God's own inherent, perfect holiness—His absolute moral purity and His transcendent separation from sin and all that is profane. The goal of divine discipline is transformation into Christlikeness, specifically a participation in God's moral purity and His distinctness from the world's sin. It implies a progressive conformity to God's character, not a deification of humanity.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of hagiótēs is rich and interconnected with several other Greek terms:
* **`{{G40}}` (hagios):** The foundational adjective "holy," from which hagiótēs is derived. It is the primary term for describing that which is set apart for God, consecrated, and therefore pure and distinct. It applies to God, persons, places, and objects.
* **`{{G38}}` (hagiazo):** The verb "to sanctify," "to make holy," or "to set apart." This term describes the *action* of imparting or declaring holiness, or the process by which something or someone becomes holy.
* **`{{G39}}` (hagiosyne):** Another noun for "holiness," often emphasizing the abstract quality or the manifestation of holiness in character or conduct. While closely related to hagiótēs, hagiosyne can sometimes lean more towards the *expression* or *practice* of holiness, whereas hagiótēs emphasizes the *state* or *inherent quality*.
* **`{{G37}}` (hagiasmos):** "Sanctification" or "holiness." This noun can refer to the process of being made holy, the state of being holy, or the result of sanctification. It often denotes the practical outworking of holiness in a believer's life.
* **Separation (from sin and the profane):** A fundamental concept underlying all these terms. Holiness inherently implies a setting apart: separation from the common, from sin, and dedication exclusively to God.
* **Purity:** Both ritual and moral purity are intrinsic aspects of holiness, echoing the Old Testament concept of `{{H6944}}` (qodesh) and its cognates, which likewise signify sacredness, distinctness, and purity.
### Theological Significance
The term hagiótēs holds profound theological significance, illuminating both the nature of God and the ultimate purpose of His redemptive work in humanity.
* **God's Essential Nature:** In [[Hebrews 12:10]], hagiótēs explicitly describes God's own holiness. This is not merely one attribute among many but a defining characteristic of His very being—His absolute moral perfection, His unblemished purity, and His transcendent otherness from all creation and sin. It is the very ground of His righteous judgments and His covenant faithfulness.
* **The Aim of Divine Discipline and Human Transformation:** The call for believers to "be partakers of His hagiótēs" (as in [[Hebrews 12:10]]) reveals the teleological purpose of God's discipline and indeed, the entire Christian life. It is not simply about avoiding sin, but about being actively conformed to the very character of God. This participation is a progressive work of the Holy Spirit (`{{G40}}` Pneuma Hagion), leading to a lifestyle that increasingly reflects God's purity and separation from the world's defilement.
* **Ethical and Practical Implications:** The presence of hagiótēs in Paul's self-description in [[2 Corinthians 1:12]] underscores that holiness is not an abstract theological concept but a lived reality. It demands integrity, sincerity, and a walk that is distinct from worldly wisdom, driven instead by divine grace. It implies a consistent moral purity in all interactions, demonstrating a life set apart for God.
### Summary
ἁγιότης (hagiótēs), `{{G41}}`, signifies the intrinsic state or quality of holiness, emphasizing sanctity, purity, and separation. Derived from `{{G40}}` (hagios), it appears sparsely but powerfully in the New Testament. In [[2 Corinthians 1:12]], it describes the pure and sincere conduct of believers, enabled by divine grace. More profoundly, in [[Hebrews 12:10]], it refers to God's own perfect holiness, which believers are called to share through divine discipline. This term thus encapsulates both the inherent nature of God's unblemished purity and the transformative goal for humanity: to be conformed to His hagiótēs, living a life marked by moral integrity, sincerity, and devotion. It underscores that holiness is not merely an action but a profound state of being, reflecting God's character and His call for His people to be set apart for Him.
TRV