"pr. sanctioned by the supreme law of God, and nature; pious, devout, Tit. 1:8; pure, 1 Tim. 2:8; supremely holy, Acts 2:27; 13:35; Heb. 7:26; Rev. 15:4; 16:5; τὰ ὅσια, pledged bounties, mercies, Acts 13:34*"
Definition and meaning
pr. sanctioned by the supreme law of God, and nature; pious, devout, Tit. 1:8; pure, 1 Tim. 2:8; supremely holy, Acts 2:27; 13:35; Heb. 7:26; Rev. 15:4; 16:5; τὰ ὅσια, pledged bounties, mercies, Acts 13:34*
In the original Greek the word is written: ὅσιος
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of hosios (G3741) across the King James Bible.
Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
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Common questions
Strong's G3741 (hosios) is a Greek word that means: pr. sanctioned by the supreme law of God, and nature; pious, devout, Tit. 1:8; pure, 1 Tim. 2:8; supremely holy, Acts 2:27; 13:35; Heb. 7:26; Rev. 15:4; 16:5; τὰ ὅσια, pledged bounties, mercies, Acts ... It appears 8 times in the King James Bible.
The word hosios (G3741) appears 8 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3741 is hosios, a Greek word defined as: pr. sanctioned by the supreme law of God, and nature; pious, devout, Tit. 1:8; pure, 1 Tim. 2:8; supremely holy, Acts 2:27; 13:35; Heb. 7:26; Rev. 15:. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
hosios is a Greek word found in the New Testament.