pistös

Pistos (πιστός) is a Greek adjective meaning faithful, trustworthy, or loyal. It describes a person or thing that adheres to obligations, remains loyal to friends or allies, or is reliable. In religious contexts it denotes fidelity to God or to a doctrine. The related noun pistis (πίστις) means faith or belief, and the verb pisteúō (πιστεύω, to believe) shares the same root.

Forms and etymology: Pistos originates from the same root as pistis, with the usual Greek gender forms: πιστός (masculine), πιστή (feminine), πιστόν (neuter). The word is commonly translated as “faithful” or “trustworthy” in English, depending on context. The lineage ties it to concepts of belief, trust, and allegiance.

Usage: In Classical Greek, pistós could describe someone loyal to an oath, a reliable witness, or a faithful ally. In Hellenistic and Byzantine Greek, the term often carried moral or religious overtones, signifying steadfastness in piety and loyalty. In Modern Greek, πιστός remains a everyday descriptor of reliability and fidelity, and the plural form πιστοί commonly refers to believers or the faithful in religious communities.

See also: pistis (faith), pisteúō (to believe), pístis (faithfulness).

Note: In English-language discussions of Greek, pistós is typically rendered as “faithful” or “trustworthy,” with nuances that depend on whether the reference is to personal reliability, oath-keeping, or religious belief.