53. hagnos

Lexical Summary

hagnos: Pure, chaste, holy

Original Word: ἁγνός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: hagnos
Pronunciation: hag-nos'
Phonetic Spelling: (hag-nos')
KJV: chaste, clean, pure
NASB: pure, chaste, free from sin, innocent
Word Origin: [from hagos "an awful thing"]

1. (properly) clean
2. (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

chaste, clean, pure.

From the same as hagios; properly, clean, i.e. (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect -- chaste, clean, pure.

see GREEK hagios

HELPS Word-studies

53 hagnós (an adjective, which may be cognate with 40 /hágios, "holy," so TDNT, 1, 122) – properly, pure (to the core); virginal (chaste, unadultered); pure inside and out; holy because uncontaminated (undefiled from sin), i.e. without spoilation even within (even down to the center of one's being); not mixed with guilt or anything condemnable.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from the same as hagios
Definition
free from ceremonial defilement, holy, sacred
NASB Translation
chaste (1), free from sin (1), innocent (1), pure (5).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 53: ἁγνός

ἁγνός, (ή, (ἅζομαι, see ἅγιος);

1. exciting reverence, venerable, sacred: πῦρ καί ἡ σποδός, 2 Macc. 13:8; Euripides, El. 812.

2. pure (Euripides, Or. 1604 ἁγνός γάρ εἰμί χεῖρας, ἀλλ' οὐ τάς φρένας, Hipp. 316f, ἁγνάς ... μίασμα);

a. pure from carnality, chaste, modest: Titus 2:5; παρθένος an unsullied virgin, 2 Corinthians 11:2 (4 Macc. 18:7).

b. pure from every fault, immaculate: 2 Corinthians 7:11; Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 5:22; 1 Peter 3:2; 1 John 3:3 (of God (yet cf. ἐκεῖνος 1 b.)); James 3:17. (From Homer down.) (Cf. references under the word ἅγιος, at the end; Westc. on 1 John 3:3.)

Topical Lexicon

Purity in the Moral Vision of Scripture

At the heart of the New Testament, ἁγνός portrays freedom from moral stain and the undivided devotion that flows from such freedom. The term embraces both inner motive and outward conduct, refusing to separate thought from action. It stands alongside holiness (ἅγιος) yet focuses particularly on the unsullied character that fits a believer for unhindered fellowship with God and neighbor.

Occurrences and Immediate Contexts

• Philippians 4:8 sets purity in the believer’s mental discipline: “whatever is pure… think on these things.” Constant meditation upon the pure shapes affections and, in turn, behavior.
• Titus 2:5 urges young women to be “pure” so that “the word of God will not be discredited,” highlighting the gospel-witness dimension of personal integrity.
• James 3:17 crowns heavenly wisdom as “first of all pure,” declaring purity the fountainhead from which all other virtues flow.
• 2 Corinthians 11:2 pictures the Corinthian church as “a pure virgin to Christ,” drawing bridal imagery from Old Testament betrothal customs to emphasize exclusive covenant loyalty.
• 1 Peter 3:2 commends the “pure… demeanor” of believing wives, showing that purity carries persuasive power even toward an unbelieving spouse.
• 1 Timothy 5:22 exhorts Timothy, “Keep yourself pure,” underscoring ministerial credibility.
• 1 John 3:3 links purity to eschatological hope: “everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”
• 2 Corinthians 7:11 records the Corinthian church proving itself “blameless” (lit. pure) after repentance, demonstrating that purity may be recovered through godly sorrow.

Old Testament and Septuagint Background

In the Septuagint ἁγνός often renders Hebrew words for ceremonial cleanness or moral innocence (for example, Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 15:26). The move from ritual to ethical emphasis prepares the way for the New Testament’s concentration on purity of heart and life.

Christological Fulfillment

Jesus Christ embodies absolute purity (“He committed no sin,” 1 Peter 2:22). His sinless life establishes the standard, His cross secures cleansing, and His indwelling Spirit enables conformity. Believers purify themselves because Christ is already pure (1 John 3:3); sanctification is therefore imitation rooted in union.

Purity in Ecclesial Life and Ministry

Paul’s appeal to present the church as a pure virgin (2 Corinthians 11:2) frames corporate purity as marital fidelity. Leaders must guard doctrine and practice lest spiritual adultery occur. Personal purity (1 Timothy 5:22) protects leaders from scandal, while congregational purity defends the gospel’s reputation before a watching world (Titus 2:5).

Practical Dimensions

1. Thought-life: Deliberate meditation on pure realities (Philippians 4:8) is the Spirit’s method for renewing the mind.
2. Relationships: Purity guards marital fidelity, tempers speech, and cultivates trust in Christian community.
3. Ministry Credibility: A pure life validates preaching, counseling, and leadership.
4. Repentance and Restoration: 2 Corinthians 7:11 proves that where impurity has occurred, godly sorrow can lead back to practical purity and restored testimony.

Eschatological Hope

Purity is energized by hope in Christ’s return. The anticipation of seeing Him “as He is” (1 John 3:2) motivates present purification (1 John 3:3). Future vision shapes present virtue.

Historical Reception

Early church writings (e.g., Didache 3.3) echo New Testament calls for purity, viewing it as nonnegotiable for baptismal candidates. Reformers likewise tied purity to sola fide, insisting that justifying faith must issue in a holy life. Contemporary evangelical ethics continue this trajectory, treating personal purity as both evidence of salvation and necessity for effective witness.

Key Passages for Further Study

Philippians 4:8; Titus 2:5; James 3:17; 2 Corinthians 11:2; 1 Peter 3:2; 1 Timothy 5:22; 1 John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 7:11

Forms and Transliterations

αγνα αγνά ἁγνά αγναί αγνας αγνάς ἁγνάς αγνη αγνή ἁγνή αγνην αγνήν ἁγνὴν αγνον αγνόν ἁγνὸν αγνος αγνός ἁγνός αγνού άγνου αγνους αγνούς ἁγνοὺς αγνών agna agnas agne agnē agnen agnēn agnon agnos agnous hagna hagná hagnas hagnás hagne hagnē hagnḗ hagnen hagnēn hagnḕn hagnon hagnòn hagnos hagnós hagnous hagnoùs

Englishman's Concordance

2 Corinthians 7:11 Adj-AMP
GRK: συνεστήσατε ἑαυτοὺς ἁγνοὺς εἶναι τῷ
NAS: yourselves to be innocent in the matter.
KJV: yourselves to be clear in this matter.
INT: you proved yourselves pure to be in this

2 Corinthians 11:2 Adj-AFS
GRK: ἀνδρὶ παρθένον ἁγνὴν παραστῆσαι τῷ
NAS: I might present you [as] a pure virgin.
KJV: that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin
INT: husband a virgin pure to present [you]

Philippians 4:8 Adj-NNP
GRK: δίκαια ὅσα ἁγνά ὅσα προσφιλῆ
NAS: whatever is pure, whatever
KJV: whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things
INT: right whatever pure whatever lovely

1 Timothy 5:22 Adj-AMS
GRK: ἀλλοτρίαις σεαυτὸν ἁγνὸν τήρει
NAS: keep yourself free from sin.
KJV: keep thyself pure.
INT: of others Yourself pure keep

Titus 2:5 Adj-AFP
GRK: σώφρονας ἁγνάς οἰκουργούς ἀγαθάς
NAS: [to be] sensible, pure, workers at home,
KJV: [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home,
INT: self-controlled pure keepers at home kind

James 3:17 Adj-NFS
GRK: πρῶτον μὲν ἁγνή ἐστιν ἔπειτα
NAS: is first pure, then
INT: first indeed pure is then

1 Peter 3:2 Adj-AFS
GRK: ἐν φόβῳ ἁγνὴν ἀναστροφὴν ὑμῶν
NAS: as they observe your chaste and respectful
KJV: your chaste conversation
INT: in fear pure conduct of you

1 John 3:3 Adj-NMS
GRK: καθὼς ἐκεῖνος ἁγνός ἐστιν
NAS: himself, just as He is pure.
KJV: he is pure.
INT: even as he pure is

Strong's Greek 53
8 Occurrences

ἁγνά — 1 Occ.
ἁγνάς — 1 Occ.
ἁγνή — 1 Occ.
ἁγνὴν — 2 Occ.
ἁγνὸν — 1 Occ.
ἁγνός — 1 Occ.
ἁγνοὺς — 1 Occ.