Greek word · G572

ἁπλότης

haplotēs

openness

From haplous, 'single', the opposite of 'double' or 'folded'. Its senses include: singleness or integrity of heart: one motive, no hidden agenda; sincerity or straightforwardness: the opposite of duplicity; open-handed generosity: giving without calculating a return (2 Cor 8:2; 9:11, 13).

Appears 8 times in 8 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 24, 2026

What it means

ἀπλότης, -ητος, ή

(ἁπλοῦς), [in LXX: 2 Kings 15:11 (תֹּם), 1 Chronicles 29:17 (לֵבָב יֹשֶׁר, ἁ. τῆς καρδίας, cf. Colossians 3:22, where see Lft.), Wisdom of Solomon 1:1, al. ;]

simplicity, sincerity: Romans 12:8, 2 Corinthians 11:3, Ephesians 6:5, Colossians 3:22; as manifested in generous, unselfish giving, liberality, graciousness: 2 Corinthians 8:2 9:11 9:13 (see ICC, Romans 12:8; Hort, James 1:5, and see: ἁπλῶς).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of 2 Corinthians 11:3

Range of meaning

From haplous, 'single', the opposite of 'double' or 'folded'. Its senses include:

singleness or integrity of heart: one motive, no hidden agenda;
sincerity or straightforwardness: the opposite of duplicity;
open-handed generosity: giving without calculating a return (2 Cor 8:2; 9:11, 13).

The common thread is undividedness: a person whose inside matches their outside and whose loyalty is not split.

Against the English

KJV/WEB/YLT 'simplicity' and BSB 'simple' make a modern reader think of plainness, lack of complication, even naivety. NIV/ESV 'sincere' and NLT 'undivided' are closer. Paul is not praising uncomplicated belief. He is praising a heart that is not double.

How it drifted

In 1611, 'simplicity' (from Latin simplicitas, also 'single, unmixed') still carried the sense of 'without duplicity'. That sense has faded. Modern 'simple' mostly means 'easy, plain, unsophisticated', so the old rendering now points the wrong way.

Used elsewhere in the period

1 Chronicles 29:17 LXX: David gives 'in singleness (haplotēti) of heart'.
Wisdom of Solomon 1:1: 'seek him in haplotēti of heart'.
1 Maccabees 2:37: the faithful choose to 'die in our haplotēti', that is, in integrity and blamelessness.
The Testament of Issachar (Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs) makes haplotēs its central virtue: walking with a single eye, without envy or double-mindedness.
In Paul's letters: slaves serve 'in haplotēti of heart' (Eph 6:5; Col 3:22).
Compare Jesus' 'single' (haplous) eye in Matt 6:22.

From the study of 2 Corinthians 8:2

Range of meaning: Basic sense: "single-ness", without folds or duplicity. Hence simplicity, sincerity, integrity and wholeheartedness. In contexts of giving it comes to mean frank, uncalculating generosity. BDAG lists both senses and places 2 Cor 8:2; 9:11, 13 and Rom 12:8 under "generosity, liberality".
Against the English: KJV "liberality" and modern "generosity" give the result, an open-handed gift. They can hide the root idea that the gift came from an undivided heart with no strings or self-interest attached. The Latin Vulgate's "simplicitas" keeps the root sense.
How it drifted: "Liberality" originally meant the free-handedness proper to a free person (Latin liberalitas). Today "liberal" usually suggests politics or theology, so the KJV word now misleads.
Used elsewhere in the period: LXX 1 Chr 29:17: David offers his gifts "in haplotēs of heart", that is, willingly. Testament of Issachar 3:8 links haplotēs with giving to the poor. Josephus (Antiquities 7.332) uses it of Araunah's free gift to David. Paul: Rom 12:8 ("the one who gives, in haplotēs"), 2 Cor 9:11, 13, and compare Eph 6:5 and Col 3:22 ("sincerity of heart").

From the study of 2 Corinthians 1:12

Range of meaning: Singleness, simplicity in the sense of being undivided. Hence sincerity, uprightness, frankness, and (from the image of an open hand) generosity. Its opposite is being "double": duplicity, ulterior motive.
Against the English: KJV/YLT "simplicity" (in modern English this can suggest naivety or plainness), ESV "simplicity", NIV "integrity". BSB/WEB/NASB translate a different Greek word, "holiness" (see textual notes).
How it drifted: Modern "simplicity" means uncomplicated or unsophisticated. The Greek means the moral singleness of a person whose words and intentions match.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs (Testament of Issachar) haplotēs is the central virtue of the single-hearted man. The LXX uses it for integrity of heart (1 Chr 29:17; Wis 1:1). Paul uses it in 2 Cor 8:2; 9:11, 13 (generosity) and 11:3 (single-minded devotion to Christ).

Where it appears

Romans · 1

Romans 12:8 ἁπλότητι, generosity,

if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Here: Literally 'single-fold-ness': an undivided heart with no hidden motive and no strings attached. When it is used of giving, that open-heartedness shows as open-handedness, so it means both 'sincerely' and 'generously'.

2 Corinthians · 5

2 Corinthians 1:12 ἁπλότητι openness

For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.

Here: Being single, not double: no hidden agenda and no second face. It answers the charge, taken up in 1:17, that Paul says "yes" and "no" at once. Many manuscripts read "holiness" here instead (see textual notes).
2 Corinthians 8:2 ἁπλότητος generosity

In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.

Here: Literally "single-ness": an undivided, uncalculating heart that gives without ulterior motive. In giving contexts it comes out as open-handed generosity.
2 Corinthians 9:11 ἁπλότητα, generosity,

You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will produce thanksgiving to God.

Here: Literally 'singleness' or 'simplicity': an undivided, uncalculating heart. In Paul's collection chapters it names that single-heartedness as it shows itself in open-handed giving, hence 'generosity'.
2 Corinthians 9:13 ἁπλότητι to [the] generosity

Because of the proof this ministry provides, the saints will glorify God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the generosity of your contribution to them and to all the others.

Here: Still governed by 'for' (epi). It means a giving with no hidden motive or held-back portion, which shows itself as open-handed generosity.
2 Corinthians 11:3 ἁπλότητος simplicity

I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.

Here: 'Single-heartedness.' It means undivided loyalty with no hidden second motive. Because v. 2 says the church is promised 'to one husband', it means devotion that belongs to one alone. It does not mean being 'simple' in the sense of unsophisticated.

Ephesians · 1

Ephesians 6:5 ἁπλότητι sincerity

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.

Here: Being undivided, 'single-folded', without a hidden second agenda. It is the opposite of the show-for-the-watcher service named in v.6.

Colossians · 1

Colossians 3:22 ἁπλότητι sincerity

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.

Here: "Singleness": an undivided, unfolded state, with no hidden second agenda and no gap between the outward show and the inner intent. It is the direct opposite of eye-service, which is all show.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.