ἁγνός, -ή, -όν (ἅγος, see: ἅγιος), [in LXX chiefly for טָהוֹר (Pss, and Pr. only), also 2Ma.13:8, 4Ma.18:7, al;] 1)
free from ceremonial defilement, in a condition prepared for worship (for exx. of pagan usage, V. MM,
VGT, see word). 2)
holy,
sacred,
venerable (II Mac, l.with). 3) As in OT (cl.),
pure,
chaste,
undefiled,
guiltless; (a)
of persons: 2Co.7:11 11:12, 1Ti.5:22, Tit.2:5, 1Jn.3:3; (b)
of things: Php.4:8, Jas.3:17, 1Pe.3:2.
SYN.: εἰλικρινής (which see),
pure, primarily as winnowed, purged, first found in ethical sense in NT (
sincere). On the equivalence of ἁ. and καθαρός (which see), see
DCG, ii, 459a though Westc. (
Epp. Jo., 101) notes a distinction between them. (
AS)