Lexical Summary hosios: Holy, pious, devout, righteous Original Word: ὅσιος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance righteous, pious, holyOf uncertain affinity; properly, right (by intrinsic or divine character; thus distinguished from dikaios, which refers rather to human statutes and relations; from hieros, which denotes formal consecration; and from hagios, which relates to purity from defilement), i.e. Hallowed (pious, sacred, sure) -- holy, mercy, shalt be. anakainosis see GREEK hieros see GREEK hagios HELPS Word-studies 3741 hósios (a primitive word, NAS Dictionary) – properly, what is sanctioned by a higher law (especially divine law), i.e. accords with divine truth (providence) and hence deserves respect (reverence). [3741 /hósiosin classical Greek likewise refers to what deserves pious respect.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition righteous, pious, holy NASB Translation devout (1), holy (4), Holy One (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3741: ὅσιοςὅσιος, ὅσια, ὅσιον, and once (1 Timothy 2:8) of two terminations (as in Plato, legg. 8, p. 831 d.; Dionysius Halicarnassus, Antiquities, 5, 71 at the end; cf. Winers Grammar, § 11, 1; Buttmann, 26 (23); the feminine occurs in the N. T. only in the passage cited); from Aeschylus and Herodotus down; the Sept. chiefly for חָסִיד (cf. Grimm, Exgt. Hdbch. on Sap., p. 81 (and references under the word ἅγιος, at the end)); "undefiled by sin, free from wickedness, religiously observing every moral obligation, pure, holy, pious" (Plato, Gorgias, p. 507 b. περί μέν ἀνθρώπους τά προσηκοντα πράττων δικαἰ ἄν πραττοι, περί δέ θεούς ὅσια. The distinction between δίκαιος and ὅσιος is given in the same way by Polybius 23, 10, 8; Schol. ad Euripides, Hec. 788; Chariton 1, 10; (for other examples see Trench, § lxxxviii.; Wetstein on Ephesians 4:24; but on its applicability to N. T. usage see Trench, as above; indeed Plato elsewhere (Euthyphro, p. 12 e.) makes δίκαιος the generic and ὅσιος the specific term)); of men: Titus 1:8; Hebrews 7:26; οἱ ὅσιοι τοῦ Θεοῦ, the pious toward God, God's pious worshippers (Wis. 4:15 and often in the Psalms); so in a peculiar and pre-eminent sense of the Messiah (A. V. thy Holy One): Acts 2:27; Acts 13:35, after Psalm 15:10 Topical Lexicon Meaning and Theological Concept Strong’s Greek 3741 (hosios) conveys the idea of moral purity that accords with God’s own character and covenant faithfulness. It describes a quality that is both inward (devotion, reverence) and outward (righteous conduct). Whereas hagios often stresses separation unto God, hosios highlights integrity, loyalty, and ethical consistency before Him. Occurrences and Contexts in the New Testament Eight occurrences cluster around four doctrinal horizons: the resurrection of Christ (Acts), the qualifications of overseers (Pastoral Epistles), the unique priesthood of Jesus (Hebrews), and the worship-judgment scenes of Revelation. Messianic Fulfillment in Acts Peter (Acts 2:27) and Paul (Acts 13:34-35) each cite Psalm 16:10 to affirm that God would not “let Your Holy One see decay.” In Greek both apostles use hosios rather than hagios. The choice underscores that Jesus is the covenantally faithful One whose devotion to the Father was vindicated by resurrection. Paul adds, “I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David” (Acts 13:34), binding the term to the irrevocable Davidic covenant and proclaiming its fulfillment in Christ. Christ’s Sinless Priesthood Hebrews 7:26 crowns the description of our High Priest: “Such a High Priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” Hosios heads the list, asserting that Jesus embodies covenant loyalty and untarnished integrity, qualities essential for the mediator who offers Himself once for all. The verse bridges Psalm 110’s messianic priesthood with the Levitical ideal in Exodus 28:36, where the high priest bore a gold plate engraved “Holy to the LORD.” Pastoral Guidance for Church Leaders Titus 1:8 requires an overseer to be “hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy (hosion), and disciplined.” Integrity of character, not mere external conformity, is in view. 1 Timothy 2:8 adds that men are to pray “lifting up holy (hosious) hands, without anger or dissension,” linking personal purity and corporate worship. These texts show that hosios is not an unattainable ideal but the expected norm for redeemed life empowered by grace. Worship and Judgment in Revelation The heavenly worshipers in Revelation confess, “For You alone are holy (hosios)” (Revelation 15:4). Later, the angel of the waters affirms, “You are just, O Holy One (hosios), who is and who was, because You have brought these judgments” (Revelation 16:5). Holiness here validates God’s righteous wrath; His judgments flow from His unassailable covenant faithfulness. For believers, this inspires awe and persevering trust amid tribulation. Ethical Implications for Believers 1. Integrity in all spheres: Since Christ the Holy One indwells His people, every realm—family, work, church—becomes a venue for covenantal faithfulness. Historical and Liturgical Notes Early Christian writers picked up the biblical usage. The Didache (14.1) exhorts the church to assemble “on the Lord’s Day, break bread and give thanks after having confessed your sins, that your sacrifice may be pure (hagnē).” Though using a synonym, the ethical demand mirrors hosios. Fourth-century creeds confess Christ as “God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, holy (hagios),” but devotionals often opted for hosios in hymns to stress His faithful obedience unto death. Practical Ministry Applications • Discipleship curricula should distinguish between positional holiness (hagios) and the practiced faithfulness of hosios, guiding believers toward consistent obedience. Summary Hosios links the resurrected Christ, the sanctified community, and the righteous judgments of God in one harmonious thread. It affirms that the Lord who is perfectly faithful calls and empowers His people to share in that same covenant faithfulness until He comes. Forms and Transliterations οσια οσιά οσία όσια ὅσια οσίας όσιοι όσιοί οσίοις οσιον όσιον όσιόν ὅσιον ὅσιόν οσιος όσιος όσιός ὅσιος οσίου οσιους οσίους ὁσίους οσίω οσίων hosia hósia hosion hósion hósión hosios hósios hosious hosíous osia osion osios osiousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 2:27 Adj-AMSGRK: δώσεις τὸν ὅσιόν σου ἰδεῖν NAS: ALLOW YOUR HOLY ONE TO UNDERGO KJV: thine Holy One to see INT: will you give the holy one of you to see Acts 13:34 Adj-ANP Acts 13:35 Adj-AMS 1 Timothy 2:8 Adj-AMP Titus 1:8 Adj-AMS Hebrews 7:26 Adj-NMS Revelation 15:4 Adj-NMS Revelation 16:5 Adj-NMS Strong's Greek 3741 |
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