Lexical Summary hagnotés: Purity, sincerity, chastity Original Word: ἁγνότης Strong's Exhaustive Concordance purity, blamelessnessFrom hagnos; cleanness (the state), i.e. (figuratively) blamelessness -- pureness. see GREEK hagnos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 54 hagnótēs – purity, even in inner make-up, i.e. real integrity. See 53 (hagnos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hagnos Definition purity, chastity NASB Translation purity (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 54: ἁγνότηςἁγνότης, (ητος, ἡ (ἁγνός), purity, uprightness of life 2 Corinthians 6:6; in 2 Corinthians 11:3 some critical authorities add καί τῆς ἁγνότητος after ἁπλότητος (so L Tr text, but Tr marginal reading WH brackets), others read τῆς ἁγνότητος καί before ἁπλότητος Found once in secular authors, see Boeckh, Corp. Inscriptions i., p. 583 no. 1133 1. xv. δικαιοσύνης ἕνεκεν καί ἁγνότητος. Topical Lexicon Purity as a Distinct Christian VirtueIn Scripture, purity denotes an undivided, uncontaminated heart that reflects God’s own holiness (Psalm 24:4; Matthew 5:8). The term that appears twice in 2 Corinthians intensifies this idea, pointing to a moral and spiritual clarity that is free from deceit, sensual stain, and mixed motives. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. 2 Corinthians 6:6 – Paul lists purity among the evidences of authentic ministry: “in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love”. Both passages frame purity as a safeguard for apostolic integrity and as a defense against satanic deception. Old Testament Roots Purity echoes the Hebrew concepts of “clean” (tahor) and “blameless” (tamim). The Levitical emphasis on clean offerings (Leviticus 22:17-25) prefigures the inner purity now required of believers whose bodies are living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). Association with Other Virtues Purity is regularly linked with love (1 Peter 1:22), wisdom (James 3:17), faith (1 Timothy 1:5), and truth (Philippians 4:8). Its placement among these qualities shows that purity is not isolationist but relational, shaping every expression of Christian character. Purity in Pauline Ministry Paul’s life evidenced purity in message and method. His refusal to corrupt the word of God (2 Corinthians 2:17) parallels his call for pure motives. The apostle understood that only a pure ministry can commend the gospel to a watching world (2 Corinthians 4:2). Christological Focus Purity finds its ultimate model in Jesus Christ, “holy, innocent, undefiled” (Hebrews 7:26). Union with Him purifies the conscience (Hebrews 9:14) and motivates believers to “purify themselves, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3). Ecclesiological Significance A congregation marked by purity becomes a credible witness (Philippians 2:15). Discipline is exercised to maintain corporate purity (1 Corinthians 5:6-8), while leaders must keep themselves pure to set an example (1 Timothy 4:12; 1 Timothy 5:22). Historical Reception Early church fathers exalted purity as the crown of Christian virtues, guarding against Gnostic dualism by insisting that bodily conduct matters. Reformers applied the concept to doctrinal purity, contending that the church must remain uncontaminated by error. Counterfeits and Corruption Paul’s warning in 2 Corinthians 11:3 shows that deceptive teaching threatens purity as much as immorality does. The serpent’s subtlety introduces mixture—half-truths that erode wholehearted devotion to Christ. Purity and the Holy Spirit The Spirit both imparts and preserves purity (Galatians 5:22-23). Yielding to Him produces inward holiness, while grieving Him (Ephesians 4:30) dulls the desire for purity. Pastoral Application • Guard the mind through Scripture meditation (Psalm 119:9). Eschatological Hope The church’s future is a marriage to Christ, “a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish” (Ephesians 5:27). Present pursuit of purity anticipates that final unveiling, urging believers to “walk in white” (Revelation 3:4) until the Bridegroom appears. Forms and Transliterations αγνοτητι αγνότητι ἁγνότητι αγνοτητος ἁγνότητος agnoteti agnotēti agnotetos agnotētos hagnoteti hagnotēti hagnóteti hagnótēti hagnotetos hagnotētos hagnótetos hagnótētosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Corinthians 6:6 N-DFSGRK: ἐν ἁγνότητι ἐν γνώσει NAS: in purity, in knowledge, in patience, KJV: By pureness, by knowledge, INT: in purity in knowledge 2 Corinthians 11:3 N-GFS Strong's Greek 54 |
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