Quick Definition
holy, pious
Strong's Definition
and from G40 (ἅγιος), which relates to purity from defilement), i.e. hallowed (pious, sacred, sure)
Derivation: of uncertain affinity; properly, right (by intrinsic or divine character; thus distinguished from 1342, which refers rather to human statutes and relations; from G2413 (ἱερός), which denotes formal consecration;
KJV Usage: holy, mercy, shalt be
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ὅσιος, ὅσια, ὅσιον, and once (1Ti_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 ηΘρΔιγ (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 Eph_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: Tit_1:8; Heb_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): Act_2:27; Act_13:35, after Psalm 15:10 (); χεῖρες (Aeschylus cho. 378; Sophocles O. C. 470), 1Ti_2:8. of God, holy: Rev_15:4; Rev_16:5 (also in secular authors occasionally of the gods; the Orphica, Arg. 27; hymn. 77, 2; of God in Deu_32:4 for ιΘωΘΡψ; Psalm 144:17 () for ηΘρΔιγ, cf. Wis_5:19); τά ὅσια Δαυίδ, the holy things (of God) promised to David, i. e. the Messianic blessings, Act_13:34 from Isa_55:3.
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ὅσιος hosios 8x
pr. sanctioned by the supreme law of God, and nature;
pious, devout, Tit_1:8 ;
pure, 1Ti_2:8 ;
supremely holy , Act_2:27 ; Act_13:35 ; Heb_7:26 ; Rev_15:4 ; Rev_16:5 ;
τὰ ὅσια , pledged bounties, mercies, Act_13:34 * holy.
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ὅσιος , -ον
(so sometimes in cl ., but most freq . -α , -ον ),
[in LXX chiefly for H2623 , also for H2889 , H3477 , H8549 ;]
religiously right, right\-eous, pious, Holy: of men, Tit_1:8 . Heb_7:26 ; by meton ., ὁ . χεῖρας , 1Ti_2:8 ( cf. Deu_32:4 ); of God, Rev_15:4 ; Rev_16:5 ; as subst ., ὁ ὅ ., of the Messiah, Act_2:27 ; Act_13:35 ( LXX ); τὰ ὅ . Δανεὶδ τ . πιστά ( Field, Notes , 121), Act_13:34 ( LXX ).†
SYN.: see ἅγιος G40 ( cf. also DB , ii, 399.b; iv, 352.b, and ref. s.v. -ίως ).
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ὅσιος [page 460]
holy, pious, is of course common in inscrr. dealing with religion. Note Syll 814 (= .3 1199) .7 , a leaden plate from Cnidus containing an invocation of ὅσ [ι ]α on certain persons if they restore a trust (παραθήκη ) and ἀν [όσια ] if they do not. The meaning seems to help us for ὅσια Δαυείδ in Act_13:34 (from LXX : Field Notes , p. 121), as does the combination ὅσια καὶ ἐλεύθερα in other inscrr., such as Syll 815 (= .3 1180) .6 ἐμοὶ δ᾽ ε (ἴ )η ὅσια καὶ ἐλεύθερα ὁμοστεγησάσηι ἢ ὧι πο [τε ] τρόπωι ἐπιπλεκομένηι . For the adj. see also a iii/B.C. law regulating mourning for the dead, Syll 879 (= .3 1219) .25 where it is laid down regarding women who do not conform μὴ ὅσιον αὐταῖς εἶναι , ὡς ἀσεβούσαις , θύειν μηθενὶ θεῶν ἐπὶ δέκα ἔτη , and notice P Flor III. 334 .11 (ii/A.D.) σφράγισον τὸ δαπανηθὲν ἀνάλωμα εἰς τοὺς θησαυρούς , εἰς ᾗ ( a vulgarism for a simple ᾗ (Ed.)) ὅσιόν ἐστι . The ace. fem. pl. ὁσίους in 1Ti_2:8 is best explained as an isolated slip, affected by the analogy of other adj. in ιος fem. (Moulton Gr. ii. p. 157). On the ὅσιοι Ἰουδαῖοι of P Par 68 c. .14 as the successors of the Ἀσιδαῖοι of the Maccabean period see the introd. p. 348. Deissmann, however, prefers to regard it as a general title of honour self-applied by the Alexandrian Jews ( BS p. 68 n. .2 ). In Aristeas 234 to honour the gods is said to consist οὐ δώροις οὐδὲ θυσίαις , ἀλλὰ ψυχῆς καθαρότητι καὶ διαλήψεως ὁσίας (cf. 2Ma_12:45 ).
Liddell-Scott — Intermediate Greek Lexicon
ὅσιος ὅσιος, η, ον "hallowed, sanctioned by the law of God", Theogn. , Trag. :— οὐχ ὅσιος "unhallowed", Eur. , etc opp. to δίκαιος (sanctioned by "human" law), "sanctioned by divine law", τὰ ὅσια καὶ δίκαια "things of divine" and human "ordinance", Plat. ; θεοὺς ὅσιόν τι δρᾶν to discharge "a duty men owe the gods", Eur. opp. to ἱερός "(sacred" to the gods), "permitted or not.forbidden by divine law", ἱερὰ καὶ ὅσια things sacred and "profane", Thuc. , etc.:— ὅσιόν or ὅσιά [ἐστι], foll. by inf., "it is lawful, fas est", Hdt. , etc.; οὐκ ὅσιόν ἐστι "nefas est", id=Hdt. ; ὅσιον χωρίον a place "which may be trodden without impiety", and so = βέβηλος, Lat. profanus, Ar. ; so, ὅσια ποιέειν Hdt. ; φρονεῖν Eur. of persons, "pious, devout, religious", Aesch. , Eur. , etc. "pure", ἱερῶν πατρῴων ὅσιος "scrupulous in performing" the rites of his forefathers, Aesch. ; ὅσιαι χεῖρες "pure, clean" hands, id=Aesch. adv. ὁσίως Eur. , etc.; οὐχ ὁσίως Thuc. :— ὁσίως ἔχει τινί, c. inf., it is "allowed" for one to do, Xen. :—also ὅσια as adv., ἐξ ἐμοῦ οὐχ ὅσι᾽ ἔθνησκες "in unholy manner", Eur. :—comp. ὁσιώτερον, id=Eur. : Sup., ὡς ὁσιώτατα Plat.
STEPBible — Tyndale Abridged Greek Lexicon
ὅσιος, -ον
(so sometimes in cl., but most frequently -α, -ον), [in LXX chiefly for חָסִיד, also for טָהוֹר, יָשָׁר, תָּמִים ;]
religiously right, righteous, pious, Holy: of men, Tit.1:8. Heb.7:26; by meton., ὁ. χεῖρας, 1Ti.2:8 (cf. Deu.32:4); of God, Rev.15:4 16:5; as subst., ὁ ὅ., of the Messiah, Act.2:27 13:35" (LXX) ; τὰ ὅ. Δανεὶδ τ. πιστά (Field, Notes, 121), Act.13:34 (LXX).†
SYN.: see: ἅγιος (cf. also DB, ii, 399.b; iv, 352.b, and ref. see word -ίως) (AS)
📖 In-Depth Word Study
Devout (3741) hósios
Devout (3741) (hósios) pertains to being without fault relative to deity, devout, pious, pleasing to God, holy. It describes a person who lives right before God and so is described as devout, dedicated or holy.
It is thus quite fitting that hosios describes Jesus our Messiah as the prophesied Holy One (Acts 2:27, 13:35), the Great High Priest (Hebrews 7:26-note), our soon coming King ( Revelation 15:4-note) and the One Who reigns forever as the Holy One (Revelation 16:5-note)
Hosios was used to refer to that which was true to divine direction and purpose, to genuine obedience to God’s will.
Hosios describes the man who reverences the fundamental decencies of life, the things which go back beyond any man-made law. The idea in this word includes personal piety, an inner attitude of conforming to what is felt to be pleasing to God and consistent with religious practices. This man keeps himself free of anything which would "stain" him in the eyes of God.
Steven Cole...
This refers to practical holiness, being separate from sin and evil behavior. It does not mean being separate from sinners, because the Lord Jesus was the friend of sinners. But the devout man does not carouse with sinners in their sin. Rather, he seeks to lead them to repentance. The devout man takes God and the Word of God seriously. He doesn’t take the things of God as a joke. He lives in obedience to God’s Word. (Read the full sermon)
Hosios is used 8 times in the NT and is translated devout(1), holy(4), Holy(1), Holy One(3).
Acts 2:27 Because Thou wilt not abandon my soul to Hades, Nor allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay. (Quoting the Septuagint of Psalm 16:10)
Acts 13:34 "And as for the fact that He raised Him up from the dead, no more to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: 'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.' 35 "Therefore He also says in another Psalm, 'Thou wilt not allow Thy Holy One to undergo decay.'
1 Timothy 2:8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.
Titus 1:8 (note) but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,
Hebrews 7:26 (note) For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; (Hosios describes the inherent nature of God,)
Revelation 15:4 (note) "Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? For Thou alone art holy; For all the nations will come and worship before Thee, For Thy righteous acts have been revealed."
Revelation 16:5 (note) And I heard the angel of the waters saying, "Righteous art Thou, who art and who wast, O Holy One, because Thou didst judge these things;
There are 41 uses of hosios in the Septuagint (LXX) (Deut. 29:19; 32:4; 33:8; 2 Sam. 22:26; Ps. 4:3; 12:1; 16:10; 18:25; 30:4; 31:23; 32:6; 37:28; 43:1; 50:5; 52:9; 79:2; 85:8; 86:2; 89:19; 97:10; 116:15; 132:9, 16; 145:10, 13, 17; 148:14; 149:1, 5, 9; Prov. 2:11, 21; 10:29; 17:26; 18:5; 20:11; 21:15; 22:11; 29:10; Is. 55:3; Amos 5:10)
Ps 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly (LXX = hosios) ones.
SELF-CONTROLLED: egkrate: (Acts 24:25, Gal 5:23, 2Pe 1:6)
Disciplined (NIV)
temperate (DNT)
he must be able to control himself (ICB)
They must be...level headed (TLB)
temperate and keeping himself in hand (Amplified)