Godliness
2150 eusebeia – good-likeness
- Acts 3:12 So, when Peter saw it, he responded to the people, “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
- 1 Timothy 2:2 …that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.
- 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: Who was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.
- 1 Timothy 4:7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
- 1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
- 1 Timothy 6:3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness…
- 1 Timothy 6:5 …useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.
- 1 Timothy 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain.
- 2 Timothy 3:5 …having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away.
- Titus 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgement of the truth, which accords with godliness…
- 2 Peter 1:3 …as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue…
- 2 Peter 1:6 …to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness…
- 2 Peter 1:7 …to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
- 2 Peter 3:11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness…
Observations:
- The idea is “good-likeness.” A different word is used for “God-likeness,” 1 Timothy 2:10, “which is proper for women professing godliness [God-likeness] with good works.
- Because none of the passages give characteristics of “godliness,” we may assume that it was a very simple word requiring no further explanation. So, the idea is “being classified with good,” the type of “good” that characterizes God.
- 1 Timothy 3:15 parallel’s godliness with “how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God…”
- “Doing good” is profitable in both this life and the next (1 Timothy 4:8), not just the next.
- Proper teaching always is compatible with godliness (1 Timothy 6:3, Titus 1:1), so bad behavior is never a part.
- Godliness provides power (2 Timothy 3:5).
- Jesus’ character and virtue demonstrate how godliness is achieved (2 Peter 1:3).