2 Peter 1:5–6 (NIV) — 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
A God-honouring manner of life, issuing from a true knowledge of God and his grace in Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 3:16; 4:7–10; 2 Tim. 3:10–12; Tit. 1:1; 2:11–12).
εὐλάβεια, ας, ἡ(eulabeia) the primary meaning. relates to exercise of caution; in dealing with the transcendent realm one must be especially cautious about giving offense to deities, hence ‘reverence, piety’, and in our literature probably only of reverent awe in the presence of God,awe, fear of God
Godliness: Likeness to God in moral and spiritual character.
godliness, godly, a life or attribute that is pleasing to God. Almost all references to “godliness” in the Bible occur in the Pastoral Letters and in 2 Peter (1 Tim. 2:2; 4:7–8; 6:3, 5–6, 11; 2 Tim. 3:5; Titus 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:3, 6, 7; 3:11). The term translates a Greek word (eusebeia; also used in Acts 3:12, nrsv: “piety”) that was commonly used in the Roman world to describe respect for the Greek and Roman gods and for the orders of society. This may explain why it is not more common in the lxx or in the nt; biblical writers generally prefer such words as “righteousness,” “faith,” “steadfastness,” or “holiness” to describe a faith and life pleasing to God. As an adjective, the related term “godly” (Gk. eusebōs), however, is used in the lxx (where it translates Hebrew khasid):
Greek usage:
εὐσέβειαb, ας f:( eusebeía) behavior reflecting correct religious beliefs and attitudes—‘piety, godliness.’ ἵνα ἤρεμον καὶ ἡσύχιον βίον διάγωμεν ἐν πάσῃ εὐσεβείᾳ καὶ σεμνότητι ‘that we may live a quiet and peaceful life in entire godliness and with modesty’ 1 Tm 2:2. In a number of languages εὐσέβεια in 1 Tm 2:2 may be appropriately translated as ‘to live as God would have us live’ or ‘to live as God has told us we should live.’
Κατά + θεός, οῦ (kata+ theos) according to God
εὐσεβής, ές; (eusebōs) εὐσεβῶς; θεοσεβής, ές; ἱεροπρεπής, ές; θρησκός, όν: pertaining to being devoted to a proper expression of religious beliefs—‘devout, pious, religious.
Worshiper:
John 9:31 (NIV) — 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.
θεοσεβής (theosebēs), God-fearing; devout. A compound of θεός and σέβω.
God-fearing; 1Clement 17.3; Moreover concerning Job also it is thus written; And Job was righteous and unblameable, one that was true and honoured God and abstained from all evil.
The humility therefore and the submissiveness of so many and so great men, who have thus obtained a good report, hath through obedience made better not only us but also the generations which were before us, even them that received His oracles in fear and truth. 2Seeing then that we have been partakers of many great and glorious doings, let us hasten to return unto the goal of peace which hath been handed down to us from the beginning, and let us look steadfastly unto the Father and Maker of the whole world, and cleave unto His splendid and excellent gifts of peace and benefits. 3Let us behold Him in our mind, and let us look with the eyes of our soul unto His long-suffering will. Let us note how free from anger He is towards all His creatures.
Heb. equiv. fr. LXX: אֱלֹהִים
Hebrew usage:
אֱלוֹהַּ and אֱלֹהִים: I אֵל. (khasid )God-fearing devout
a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power. b.divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels.
Habakkuk 1:11 (NIV) —Then they sweep past like the wind and go on— guilty people, whose own strength is their god.”
Malachi 2:15 (NIV) — Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.
The goal of true spiritual endeavor, correspondence to the characteristics of God Himself; 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV) — For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Godliness Biblical Word Study (Kermit Rice)
BIBLE WORD STUDY
godliness
2 Peter 1:5–6 (NIV) — 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
A God-honouring manner of life, issuing from a true knowledge of God and his grace in Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 3:16; 4:7–10; 2 Tim. 3:10–12; Tit. 1:1; 2:11–12).
εὐλάβεια, ας, ἡ(eulabeia) the primary meaning. relates to exercise of caution; in dealing with the transcendent realm one must be especially cautious about giving offense to deities, hence ‘reverence, piety’, and in our literature probably only of reverent awe in the presence of God, awe, fear of God
Godliness: Likeness to God in moral and spiritual character.
godliness, godly, a life or attribute that is pleasing to God. Almost all references to “godliness” in the Bible occur in the Pastoral Letters and in 2 Peter (1 Tim. 2:2; 4:7–8; 6:3, 5–6, 11; 2 Tim. 3:5; Titus 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:3, 6, 7; 3:11). The term translates a Greek word (eusebeia; also used in Acts 3:12, nrsv: “piety”) that was commonly used in the Roman world to describe respect for the Greek and Roman gods and for the orders of society. This may explain why it is not more common in the lxx or in the nt; biblical writers generally prefer such words as “righteousness,” “faith,” “steadfastness,” or “holiness” to describe a faith and life pleasing to God. As an adjective, the related term “godly” (Gk. eusebōs), however, is used in the lxx (where it translates Hebrew khasid):
Greek usage:
εὐσέβειαb, ας f:( eusebeía) behavior reflecting correct religious beliefs and attitudes—‘piety, godliness.’ ἵνα ἤρεμον καὶ ἡσύχιον βίον διάγωμεν ἐν πάσῃ εὐσεβείᾳ καὶ σεμνότητι ‘that we may live a quiet and peaceful life in entire godliness and with modesty’ 1 Tm 2:2. In a number of languages εὐσέβεια in 1 Tm 2:2 may be appropriately translated as ‘to live as God would have us live’ or ‘to live as God has told us we should live.’
Κατά + θεός, οῦ (kata+ theos) according to God
εὐσεβής, ές; (eusebōs) εὐσεβῶς; θεοσεβής, ές; ἱεροπρεπής, ές; θρησκός, όν: pertaining to being devoted to a proper expression of religious beliefs—‘devout, pious, religious.
Worshiper:
John 9:31 (NIV) — 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.
θεοσεβής (theosebēs), God-fearing; devout. A compound of θεός and σέβω.
God-fearing; 1Clement 17.3; Moreover concerning Job also it is thus written; And Job was righteous and unblameable, one that was true and honoured God and abstained from all evil.
The humility therefore and the submissiveness of so many and so great men, who have thus obtained a good report, hath through obedience made better not only us but also the generations which were before us, even them that received His oracles in fear and truth. 2Seeing then that we have been partakers of many great and glorious doings, let us hasten to return unto the goal of peace which hath been handed down to us from the beginning, and let us look steadfastly unto the Father and Maker of the whole world, and cleave unto His splendid and excellent gifts of peace and benefits. 3Let us behold Him in our mind, and let us look with the eyes of our soul unto His long-suffering will. Let us note how free from anger He is towards all His creatures.
Heb. equiv. fr. LXX: אֱלֹהִים
Hebrew usage:
אֱלוֹהַּ and אֱלֹהִים: I אֵל. (khasid )God-fearing devout
a. rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power. b. divine ones, superhuman beings including God and angels.
Habakkuk 1:11 (NIV) —Then they sweep past like the wind and go on— guilty people, whose own strength is their god.”
Malachi 2:15 (NIV) — Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.
The goal of true spiritual endeavor, correspondence to the characteristics of God Himself; 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV) — For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Holiness of Christians
Elected to…Rom. 8:29
Called to…1 Thess. 4:7
Created in…Eph. 4:24
Possessed by…1 Cor. 3:16, 17
Bodies…Rom. 8:29
Manner of life…1 Pet. 1:15
Fruitfulness…John 15:8
God’s holiness…1 Pet 1:15, 16
God’s mercies…Rom. 12:1, 2
Christ’s love…2 Cor.5:14, 15
World’s end…2 Pet. 3:11
Inheritance in kingdom…Eph. 5:5
Word…John 17:17
Chastisement…Heb. 12:10
Grace…Titus 2:3, 11, 12
Sanctification – growing in holiness:
A. Produced by:
God…1 Thess. 5:23
Christ…1 Thess. 5:23
Holy Spirit…1 Pet. 1:2
Truth…John 17:17, 19
Christ’s blood…Heb. 9:14
Prayer…1 Tim. 4:4, 5