Greek word · G2150

εὐσέβεια

eusebeia

piety

Reverence and right devotion toward the divine, shown in proper worship and in dutiful conduct toward gods, family, city and ruler. It was a central public virtue in the Greek and Roman world, the Greek counterpart of Latin pietas.

Appears 15 times in 15 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

εὐ-σέβεια, -ας, ἡ

(εὐσεβής, which see), [in LXX: Proverbs 1:7, Isaiah 33:6 (יִרְאָה), Proverbs 13:11 (aliter in Heb.), Isaiah 11:2 (יְהוָֹה יִרְאָה), I Est.1:23, Wisdom of Solomon 10:12, Sirach 49:3, and very frequently in 4Mac ;]

1. piety, reverence (towards parents and others).

2. piety towards God, godliness: Acts 3:12, 1 Timothy 2:2 4:7-8 6:5-6 6:11, 2 Peter 1:3 1:6-7; τὸ τῆς εὐ. μυστήριον, 1 Timothy 3:16; ἡ κατ᾽ εὐ. διδασκαλία, 1 Timothy 6:3; ἡ ἀλήθεια ἡ κατ᾽ εὐ., Titus 1:1; μόρφωσις εὐσεβείας, 2 Timothy 3:5; pl. (see Bl., § 32, 6; Mayor on James 2:1), 2 Peter 3:11 (on the use of εὐ. and cognates in Past. Epp., see CGT, on 1 Timothy 2:2; cf. also Cremer, 524).†

(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 1 Timothy 3:16

Range of meaning

Reverence and right devotion toward the divine, shown in proper worship and in dutiful conduct toward gods, family, city and ruler. It was a central public virtue in the Greek and Roman world, the Greek counterpart of Latin pietas.

Against the English

"Godliness" in modern English usually means private moral goodness or personal holiness ("cleanliness is next to godliness"). Eusebeia is broader and more public. It is the whole posture of reverent loyalty to God, expressed in worship and in a well-ordered life. NIV's "true godliness" and NLT's "our faith" each pull it in a different direction.

How it drifted

"Godliness" was a good sixteenth-century choice (Tyndale, KJV), but it has narrowed to mean moral strictness. The Greek word's public, religious and civic sense of rightly honouring God has largely dropped out.

Used elsewhere in the period

Greek inscriptions praise benefactors and rulers for eusebeia. In Augustus' Res Gestae (34), the honorific shield names his virtues, and pietas appears in the Greek version as eusebeia. In the LXX it translates "the fear of the LORD" in Proverbs 1:7 and Isaiah 11:2 and 33:6. 4 Maccabees uses it constantly for faithful Jewish devotion that holds firm under persecution. Philo treats it as the queen of virtues. In the NT it is concentrated in the Pastoral Letters (1 Timothy 2:2; 3:16; 4:7–8; 6:3, 5, 6, 11; 2 Timothy 3:5; Titus 1:1).

From the study of 1 Timothy 6:3

Range of meaning

'Piety, reverence, devotion'. In wider Greek it means proper respect toward the gods, and by extension toward parents, the city and rulers: fulfilling one's duties within the order of things. In Jewish Greek it means reverence for the one God shown in obedience to his law. The Pastorals use it 10 times (1 Tim 2:2; 3:16; 4:7, 8; 6:3, 5, 6, 11; 2 Tim 3:5; Titus 1:1), against only a handful of uses in the rest of the NT (Acts 3:12; 2 Peter).

Against the English

'Godliness' (KJV, BSB, ESV, NASB, WEB) is accurate but has become a vague church word suggesting inner spirituality or moral strictness. YLT 'piety' is closer to the Greek. The word joins reverence for God with respectable, ordered conduct that outsiders can see.

How it drifted

In modern devotional English 'godliness' tends to mean private holiness or being 'like God'. The Greek word was a public, recognisable virtue praised in honorary inscriptions and associated with Roman pietas (Augustus boasted of his pietas). It was about rightly honouring God and fulfilling one's relationships.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (LXX) εὐσέβεια translates 'the fear of the LORD' in Isa 11:2 and Prov 1:7 (LXX). It is the central virtue of 4 Maccabees, where 'pious reason' masters the passions, and Philo calls it the queen of the virtues. Greek inscriptions constantly honour benefactors and officials for their εὐσέβεια toward the gods.

From the study of 2 Peter 1:7

Range of meaning

In Greek usage: proper reverence toward the gods, shown in worship and in keeping one's duties to them. It also covered due respect toward parents, the dead, rulers and one's city. It was a feeling of awe and a way of behaving at the same time: the person who is eusebēs honours the divine and does what is fitting. In Hellenistic Jewish writing it became a standard word for faithful devotion to the God of Israel and obedience to his law.

Against the English

'Godliness' (KJV, BSB, ESV, NIV) is the usual rendering; 'piety' (YLT) is closer in feel. Modern English 'godliness' can sound like 'God-likeness' or general saintliness. The Greek word is about reverence: honouring God rightly and living accordingly.

How it drifted

'Godly' in older English meant 'devout, pious'. Today it is often heard as 'morally perfect' or 'like God', which moves the word from relationship and duty to a vague holiness.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint), eusebeia translates 'the fear of the LORD' at Isaiah 11:2 and 33:6, and Proverbs 1:7 LXX reads 'reverence (eusebeia) toward God is the beginning of perception'. 4 Maccabees makes 'devout reason' (eusebēs logismos) its central theme. Josephus and Philo use it often. In the New Testament it is concentrated in the Pastoral Letters (1–2 Timothy, Titus) and 2 Peter (1:3, 6, 7; 3:11). Greek civic inscriptions praise benefactors for their eusebeia toward the gods.

Similar words

Where it appears

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 3:12 εὐσεβείᾳ godliness

    And when Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why are you surprised by this? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

    Here: Devout reverence toward God shown in faithful religious practice. Peter denies that the healing was a reward God gave because the apostles were especially devout holy men.

1 Timothy · 8

  1. 1 Timothy 2:2 εὐσεβείᾳ godliness

    for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.

    Here: The recognised virtue of right reverence toward God, shown in how one lives. It is a keynote of the Pastoral Letters (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus).

  2. 1 Timothy 3:16 εὐσεβείας of godliness

    By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.

    Here: Rightly ordered reverence and loyalty toward God, lived out in conduct. The genitive can mean the mystery that belongs to this devotion, or the mystery it springs from and centres on.

  3. 1 Timothy 4:7 εὐσέβειαν. godliness.

    But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.

    Here: Proper reverence toward God, lived out in a whole recognisable way of life: worship, duty and conduct together. It is the opposite of the 'unhallowed' stories at the start of the verse.

  4. 1 Timothy 4:8 εὐσέβεια godliness

    For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.

    Here: Reverent devotion to God that shows itself in a whole way of life. This is the goal of the training commanded in v.7, and one of the letter's key words.

  5. 1 Timothy 6:3 εὐσέβειαν godliness

    If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,

    Here: Reverent devotion to God shown in fitting conduct. It was a well-known Greek public virtue. In this letter it is the visible, ordered life that true teaching produces.

  6. 1 Timothy 6:5 εὐσέβειαν godliness

    and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.

    Here: A keyword of these letters for the whole visible way of life that reverence for God produces. The opponents treat that public, respected religious life as a business.

  7. 1 Timothy 6:6 εὐσέβεια godliness

    Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain.

    Here: Reverent devotion to God shown in a properly ordered life. In this letter it is the summary word for the faith lived out (3:16; 4:7–8). It is not a career or a platform.

  8. 1 Timothy 6:11 εὐσέβειαν, godliness,

    But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

    Here: Reverent devotion to God shown in a dutiful, well-ordered life. It is pointed here, because in v. 5 the false teachers treat eusebeia as a way to make money and in v. 6 Paul says true eusebeia with contentment is the real gain.

2 Timothy · 1

  1. 2 Timothy 3:5 εὐσεβείας, of godliness

    having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!

    Here: Proper reverence toward God, lived out in duty and in conduct others can see. It is one of the key words of 1–2 Timothy and Titus, where it stands for the whole of a life shaped by true faith.

Titus · 1

  1. Titus 1:1 εὐσέβειαν godliness

    Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,

    Here: Reverent devotion to God that shows in dutiful, ordered conduct. It was a well-known Greek and Roman virtue word. Here it is claimed for the gospel: true knowledge of God shows itself in a reverent way of life.

2 Peter · 4

  1. 2 Peter 1:3 εὐσέβειαν godliness

    His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

    Here: The proper reverence and dutiful respect owed to God, shown in conduct. It was a widely praised Greco-Roman virtue, and 2 Peter claims it for the life Christ makes possible (see also 1:6, 1:7, 3:11).

  2. 2 Peter 1:6 εὐσέβειαν, godliness,

    and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

    Here: The proper reverence and dutiful devotion owed to God, shown in conduct. It was a standard public virtue word in the Greek world, and here it is applied to the God of Israel. It picks up "life and godliness" from verse 3.

  3. 2 Peter 1:7 εὐσεβείᾳ godliness

    and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

    Here: Reverence toward God lived out as proper, dutiful conduct. It was a well-known Greek virtue word, here given its content by the Christian God (compare v. 3, 'life and godliness').

  4. 2 Peter 3:11 εὐσεβείαις in godliness

    Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness

    Here: 'Pieties': reverence for God shown in practice. It is plural, meaning many acts of devotion and duty. It is a key word in 2 Peter (1:3, 6, 7) and closes the letter's ethical argument.

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