ἑνότης
henótēs
G1775 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
State of being one; the condition of unity or oneness, especially among persons or elements. In the New Testament, refers to harmonious agreement, mutual accord in belief or purpose, or the undivided state of a group, particularly within religious or communal contexts. Can denote both abstract quality (oneness) and relational unity (unanimity or concord).
Semantic Range
state of being one, oneness, unity (abstract); unanimity, harmonious agreement, relational concord
Root / Etymology
From the adjective εἷς (one), with the abstract nominal suffix -ότης (-ótēs), indicating the quality or state of being one.
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἑνότης appears only twice in extant Greek literature, both times in the Pauline Epistles (Ephesians 4:3, 4:13). As an abstract noun, it is formed analogously to other Greek terms denoting qualities or conditions (e.g., δῐκαιότης 'righteousness'). In Hellenistic and philosophical Greek, similar terms may be used for cosmic or metaphysical oneness, but ἑνότης itself is rare. In its New Testament usage, it describes the ideal of unified purpose and belief within the community, emphasizing relational harmony rather than simple mathematical oneness. Standard English translations render it as 'unity,' but the Greek term, especially in Paul’s usage, connotes both existential oneness and cooperative accord. No significant change in meaning occurred between classical and Koine periods as the term was virtually unattested before the New Testament; its derivation from εἷς parallels Latin 'unitas.' Its contextual use in Ephesians 4 highlights the communal implication, particularly in reference to 'the unity of the Spirit' and 'the unity of the faith.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from εἷς; oneness, i.e. (figuratively) unanimity:--unity.
Root Family
ἑνότης (henotēs) — oneness, unity, harmonious agreement, relational concord
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1775-01 |
ἑνότητα | enoteta | N ACC F SG |
unity | oneness | oneness | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1775-01 |
Ephesians 4:3 | ἑνότητα | enoteta | N ACC F SG |
unity | oneness | oneness |
G1775-01 |
Ephesians 4:13 | ἑνότητα | enoteta | N ACC F SG |
unity | oneness | oneness |