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εὐσέβεια

eusébeia

G2150 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

Devoutness or reverence, particularly toward the divine; the quality of exhibiting appropriate respect, devotion, and duty in religious or spiritual matters. In broader usage, refers to a manner of living characterized by reverence, respect, and fulfillment of one's obligations toward the divine, authorities, and social norms. In Hellenistic and Koine contexts (including the New Testament), usually denotes the practical expression of one's reverence for the divine through behavior, rather than mere inner feeling.

Semantic Range

devoutness, reverence for the divine, piety, religious duty, respectful conduct, practical godliness, uprightness in religious and moral matters

Root / Etymology

From the adjective εὐσεβής (devout, reverent), composed of εὖ ('well') + σέβομαι ('to worship, revere'). The underlying root is σεβ-, signifying awe, reverence, or respect, especially in a religious context.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, εὐσέβεια designated the widespread Greek virtue of reverence or piety toward the gods, public authorities, parents, and social obligations—an essential component of civic and religious life. In the Hellenistic period and in philosophical writings, the term could also denote a general moral uprightness reflecting correct conduct toward the divine and society. In the Septuagint, εὐσέβεια is sometimes used to translate Hebrew concepts related to fear of God or righteousness, but the equivalence is not always exact. In the New Testament, εὐσέβεια is employed almost exclusively in the Pastoral Epistles and 2 Peter to designate the quality of piety or religious conduct expected in the community; it generally emphasizes practical demonstration of religious devotion rather than doctrinal belief or internal disposition. Standard English translations like "godliness" have historically narrowed its sense to self-evident religious virtue, but this can obscure the active, socially embedded connotation of the Greek term.

Translation Consistency

primary "godliness" 15 occurrences

εὐσέβεια denotes reverent, devout conduct and a lived-out respect for the divine. “Godliness” captures both the religious/reverent sense and the practical moral behavior implied in the SILEX range, is commonly used in English Bible tradition, and is more natural and accessible than alternatives like “piety” or “devoutness.” This single noun will provide consistent rendering across all forms of this Strong’s entry.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from εὐσεβής; piety; specially, the gospel scheme:--godliness, holiness.

Root Family

εὐσέβεια (eusebeia) — devoutness, reverence, piety, religious duty, worshipful respect

Root σεβ- to revere, to show respect, to worship

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2150-03 εὐσέβειαν eusebeian N ACC F SG godliness devout reverence godliness 7
G2150-01 εὐσεβείᾳ eusebeia N DAT F SG godliness to devout reverence to godliness 5
G2150-04 εὐσεβείας eusebeias N GEN F SG godliness of devout reverence of godliness 2
G2150-02 εὐσεβείαις eusebeiais N DAT F PL godlinesses devoutnesses godlinesses 1

Occurrences in Scripture

15 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2150-01 Acts 3:12 εὐσεβείᾳ eusebeia N DAT F SG godliness to devout reverence to godliness
G2150-01 1 Timothy 2:2 εὐσεβείᾳ eusebeia N DAT F SG godliness to devout reverence to godliness
G2150-04 1 Timothy 3:16 εὐσεβείας eusebeias N GEN F SG godliness of devout reverence of godliness
G2150-03 1 Timothy 4:7 εὐσέβειαν eusebeian N ACC F SG godliness devout reverence godliness
G2150-01 1 Timothy 4:8 εὐσέβεια eusebeia N NOM F SG godliness to devout reverence to godliness
G2150-03 1 Timothy 6:3 εὐσέβειαν eusebeian N ACC F SG godliness devout reverence godliness
G2150-03 1 Timothy 6:5 εὐσέβειαν eusebeian N ACC F SG godliness devout reverence godliness
G2150-01 1 Timothy 6:6 εὐσέβεια eusebeia N NOM F SG godliness to devout reverence to godliness
G2150-03 1 Timothy 6:11 εὐσέβειαν eusebeian N ACC F SG godliness devout reverence godliness
G2150-04 2 Timothy 3:5 εὐσεβείας eusebeias N GEN F SG of godliness of devout reverence of godliness
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