A JOT FROM JOHN
The term godliness is found some sixteen times in the NT and is the word of true religion. Synonyms include such words as piety, devout, religious, and religious-minded words which Moffatt uses in his translation for the Greek noun (eusebeia) and adjective (eusebes).
The verb (eusebeo) means “to worship, to act reverently, to carry out the duties of true religion.” The adverb (euseboos) means “godly.” There is a closely related word (theosebeia) which is translated “godliness” in 1 Timothy 2:10, and which properly means “worshipping God.”
The man who possesses the characteristic of godliness, therefore, is one who is filled with reverence for God, who worships God in keeping with this reverence, and who brings his life into harmony with the will of God.
Godliness, true religion, is a gift of God through Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:3-4). It is a “mystery” (not in the sense of being difficult to understand, but in the sense of something unintelligible to the outsider, but open and precious to the true worshipper) made known through Jesus (1 Tim. 3:16). In Jesus men can both see God and learn how to worship God aright.
Although godliness is a gift, it is something that men must strive to attain. This Paul says, “Exercise thyself . . . unto godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7), “and follow after . . . godliness” (1 Tim 6:11). Peter says “Add . . . godliness” (2 Peter 1:6).
Those who practice godliness can expect three things to accompany this virtue: (1) suffering of persecution from a world which has different standards and aims (1 Tim. 3:12; (2) power, which accompanies holiness (Acts 3:12), to overcome the world; and (3) communion with the ever present and ever listening God (John 9:31).
Godliness is a characteristic of the Christian life (1 Tim. 2:2) enabling the Christian to really be the salt of the earth and the light of the world bringing men to the Savior. Men may become godly by listening carefully to God’s revelation in the Bible and making that revelation a positive part of their lives (1 Tim. 6:3; Tit. 1:1).
A life of godliness is lived in view of eternity. Speaking of the second coming of Christ, an event that will burst without warning upon our world at any moment, Peter asks, “What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11).
Onward Rejoicing, John B. Daniels, Associate Minister
