Lexical Summary hieros: Sacred, holy Original Word: ἱερός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance holy. Of uncertain affinity; sacred -- holy. HELPS Word-studies 2413 hierós (an adjective) – properly, sacred (because associated with God's sanctuary, the Temple); consecrated to deity and therefore "holy," i.e. inviolably sacred because acceptable for God's service. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition sacred, a sacred thing, a temple NASB Translation sacred (1), sacred services (1), temple (71). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2413: ἱερόςἱερός, ἱερά, ἱερόν (its primary sense is thought to be mighty; cf. Curtius, § 614; Vanicek, p. 88; yet see Schmidt as below; fr, Homer down), sacred, consecrated to the deity, pertaining to God: ἱερά γράμματα, sacred Scriptures, because inspired by God, treating of divine things and therefore to be devoutly revered, 2 Timothy 3:15 (Josephus, Antiquities prooem. 3; (10, 10, 4 at the end); b. j. 6, 5, 4; contra Apion 1 (10, 3; 18, 6); 26, 1; ἱεραι βίβλοι, Antiquities 2, 16, 5; (c. Apion 1, 1; 23, 4), etc.; οὐκ ἐνετραφης οὐδέ ἐνησκηθης τοῖς ἱεροῖς γραμμασι, Philo, leg. ad Gaium § 29, Mang. edition ii., p. 574); (κήρυγμα, Mark 16 WH in (rejected) 'Shorter Conclusion'); neuter plural as a substantive, τά ἱερά, the holy things, those which pertain to the worship of God in the temple, 1 Corinthians 9:13, cf. ἐργάζομαι, 2 a. (See references under the word ἅγιος, at the end; especially Schmidt, chapter 181.) Topical Lexicon Overview of the TermStrong’s Greek 2413 (ἱερός, hieros) conveys the idea of something devoted to God’s exclusive use. While synonymous in meaning with the more common adjective “holy” (ἅγιος), ἱερός stresses consecration—whether of persons, objects, writings, or even places—underscoring their direct association with divine service. Distribution in the New Testament The word appears only four times in the Greek New Testament, yet each context highlights a different sphere of sacredness: 1. Priestly service and offerings (1 Corinthians 9:13) Together these references present a comprehensive picture of what the early church understood to be “hieros”: worship, place, revelation, and mission. Sacred Service: 1 Corinthians 9:13 “Do you not know that those who serve in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings with the altar?” Paul reminds the Corinthians that Old-Covenant priests who “work with the sacred things” live from the offerings. By invoking ἱερός, he legitimizes financial support for gospel workers on the basis of a long-standing divine pattern. The verse affirms continuity between Old and New Covenants: the God who appointed sacred duties for Levitical priests likewise ordains material provision for ministers of the gospel. The principle reinforces both the sanctity of Christian ministry and the responsibility of the church to sustain it. Sacred Place: Colossians 4:13 Paul bears witness to Epaphras’s zeal for believers in Colossae, Laodicea, and “Hierapolis”—literally “Sacred City.” The name preserves the ancient recognition of certain locations as set apart for divine purposes. By including Hierapolis among the assemblies dear to Epaphras, Paul implicitly affirms that even cities once tied to pagan devotion can be reclaimed as centers of Christian witness. The gospel redeems geography: what was formerly sacred to false gods becomes a theater for Christ’s lordship. Sacred Writings: 2 Timothy 3:15 “From infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Here ἱερὰ γράμματα designates the canonical Old-Testament writings Timothy grew up reading. Their sacredness lies not in parchment or ink but in divine origin (2 Timothy 3:16). Paul’s wording safeguards the inspiration, authority, and sufficiency of Scripture for producing wisdom that leads to salvation. The verse forms a cornerstone for biblical doctrine, linking the holiness of the writings with their power to transform lives. Sacred Mission: Mark 16:20 “They went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word by the signs that accompanied it.” Although the English text does not show the adjective, the underlying Greek places ἱερόν in close relation to the preached word, portraying the apostolic proclamation itself as a holy enterprise authenticated by miraculous signs. The sacredness of mission is evidenced by divine cooperation: the risen Lord validates His messengers, turning ordinary preaching into an instrument of supernatural power. Theology of the Sacred Across Testaments 1. Continuity of Holiness: Whether priestly privileges, inspired texts, or apostolic labors, the concept of ἱερός demonstrates that God consistently sets apart people and things for His glory. Practical Implications for Ministry Today • Support for Gospel Workers: Following the pattern established in 1 Corinthians 9:13, congregations should gladly sustain those laboring in Word and sacrament. Conclusion Though rare in the New Testament, ἱερός powerfully encapsulates God’s act of consecration. Whether seen in priestly sustenance, the authority of Scripture, the re-purposing of a city, or the supernatural advance of the gospel, the term calls the church to recognize, honor, and participate in the holy realities God has established for His redemptive purposes. Forms and Transliterations ἐν ιερα ιερά ἱερὰ Ἱερᾷ ιεράς ιερέων ιερον ιερόν ἱερὸν ιερού ιερω ιερώ en hiera hierà Hierā̂i hieron hieròn iera ieronLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 16:20 N-ANSGRK: αὐτῶν τὸ ἱερὸν καὶ ἄφθαρτον INT: them the sacred and imperishable 1 Corinthians 9:13 Adj-ANP Colossians 4:13 N-DFS 2 Timothy 3:15 Adj-ANP |
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