Greek
ἅγιος
hagios
Holy, set apart, sacred
The Greek word for 'holy' — set apart, sacred, devoted to God. Hagios is applied to God ('Holy, holy, holy' — Revelation 4:8), to the Spirit ('Holy Spirit' — Pneuma Hagion), and to believers ('saints' or hagioi). The root concept: separation unto God.
Hagios (ἅγιος) is the Greek word for 'holy' or 'sacred.' The root carries the idea of being set apart, separated from common use, dedicated to God. In the Septuagint, hagios translates the Hebrew 'qadosh' (holy). The word group includes hagiazō (to make holy, sanctify), hagiasmos (sanctification), and hagiosyne (holiness). 'Hagioi' (the plural) is the standard NT term for 'saints' — that is, all believers, set apart for God. Modern English derivatives include 'hagiography' (writings about saints) and the word 'saint' itself indirectly through Latin sanctus.
Hagios in the NT has multiple uses. (1) God is holy. Revelation 4:8 — the four living creatures cry day and night: 'Holy, holy, holy [hagios, hagios, hagios], Lord God Almighty.' Echoing Isaiah 6:3. God's holiness is foundational. (2) The Holy Spirit. Pneuma Hagion (Holy Spirit) is the most common NT use of hagios. Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4, throughout the NT. (3) Christ is the Holy One. Mark 1:24 — even demons confessed Jesus as 'the Holy One of God.' Acts 4:27 — Christ is 'thy holy child Jesus.' (4) Believers are saints. Romans 1:7 — 'to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints [hagiois].' Every Christian is a 'saint' — not in the medieval sense of canonized super-Christians, but in the NT sense of one set apart for God. (5) Sanctified things. The temple is hagios (Matthew 24:15). The new covenant is hagia (Hebrews 10:29). Scripture is 'holy scriptures' (Romans 1:2). (6) Holy living. 1 Peter 1:15-16 — 'But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.' Holiness is both status (positional) and process (progressive sanctification). Three-fold sanctification. Theologians often distinguish: (a) Positional — believers are made holy in Christ at salvation (1 Corinthians 6:11). (b) Progressive — believers grow in holiness through the Spirit's work (2 Corinthians 3:18). (c) Perfected — at glorification, believers will be fully holy (Ephesians 5:27).
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.”
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
“I beseech you therefore, brethren... that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.”
“But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
“To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints.”
Pursue holiness — Hebrews 12:14. Recognize your status: you are a hagios, a saint, set apart by God. Walk worthy of that calling. Live by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). Aim for what is set apart for God — not common, casual, or compromised. Holiness is not earned but received and then pursued.
Hagios is the Greek word for 'holy' — meaning set apart, sacred, devoted to God. It is applied to God ('Holy, holy, holy'), to the Spirit ('Holy Spirit'), to Christ ('the Holy One'), to believers ('saints'/hagioi), and to things devoted to God (Scripture, the temple). The core concept: separation unto God for sacred purpose.
Yes — biblically. The NT uses 'hagioi' (saints) for all believers, not just canonized super-Christians. Romans 1:7 — 'called to be saints.' Ephesians 1:1 — 'to the saints which are at Ephesus.' Every Christian is a saint by virtue of being set apart in Christ. The medieval Catholic distinction (canonized saints) is later development.
God is holy in himself — 'Holy, holy, holy' (Revelation 4:8). He calls his people to share in his holiness: 'Be ye holy; for I am holy' (1 Peter 1:16). Through Christ, believers are positionally holy (made saints at salvation). Through the Spirit, believers grow in practical holiness (sanctification). At glorification, holiness is perfected. The holiness is his; we are conformed to it.
Pneuma Hagion (Πνεῦμα Ἅγιον) — literally 'Holy Spirit' or 'Holy Pneuma.' The Greek uses both terms together. Pneuma (spirit, breath, wind) describes the Spirit's nature; Hagion (holy) describes his character. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, sent by the Father in the Son's name to sanctify, indwell, gift, and guide believers.