Greek word · Strong's G40

ἅγιος

hágios · adjective · “holy, set apart”

In a sentence

Hagios means holy — set apart, consecrated, belonging to God. It describes God’s own purity and the new identity of his people, called “saints” (hagioi).

To be hagios is to be set apart from common use for God. It speaks of God’s otherness and moral purity — “Holy, holy, holy” — and of whatever and whoever is dedicated to him.

Strikingly, the New Testament calls ordinary believers hagioi, “holy ones” or saints — not because they are sinless but because God has set them apart in Christ. Holiness is therefore both a gift (we are made holy) and a calling (“be holy, for I am holy”).

Strong's reference

Definition: sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

KJV usage: (most) holy (one, thing), saint

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

1 Peter 1:16 “for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”” Isaiah 6:3 “And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.”” Hebrews 12:14 “Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.