εὐσέβεια (G2150) — godliness, piety, reverence¶
Part of the 2 Timothy 3:1–5 Vice List study
Contents¶
- Overview
- Etymology and Semantic Range
- OT / LXX Background
- NT Distribution
- Theological Note
- NT Occurrences
- LXX Occurrences (Canonical)
Overview¶
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Strong's | G2150 |
| Greek | εὐσέβεια |
| Transliteration | eusebeia |
| Gloss | godliness, piety, reverence |
| 2 Tim 3 verse | 3:5 |
| KJV rendering | "godliness" |
| NT occurrences | 15 (5 books) |
| LXX occurrences (canonical) | 4 |
Etymology and Semantic Range¶
Compound: εὖ (well, rightly) + σέβομαι (to revere, worship). Denotes the whole orientation of life toward God — comprehensive practical piety.
15 NT occurrences across 5 books — the richest positive term in the list. Concentrated heavily in the Pastorals (1 Tim: 8×, 2 Tim: 1×, Tit: 1×) and 2 Peter (4×). 57 LXX occurrences across 8 books. The cognate εὐσεβής (pious, godly) and verb εὐσεβέω add further occurrences.
OT / LXX Background¶
Hebrew יִרְאַת יְהוָה (fear of the LORD — the comprehensive term for covenant faithfulness and practical holiness; Pro 1:7; 9:10; Psa 111:10). The LXX frequently renders יִרְאָה with εὐσέβεια, especially in wisdom literature.
| Reference | LXX form |
|---|---|
| Pro 1:7 | εὐσέβεια |
| Pro 13:11 | εὐσεβείας |
| Isa 11:2 | εὐσεβείας |
| Isa 33:6 | εὐσέβεια |
NT Distribution¶
Theological Note¶
εὐσέβεια is the Pastorals' signature virtue — the word that sums up what the false teachers lack (1 Tim 6:5) and what Timothy is to pursue (1 Tim 6:11). Its appearance here in μόρφωσιν εὐσεβείας ("form of godliness") is devastating: the very word Paul uses for genuine Christian character is reduced to an empty shell.
NT Occurrences¶
| Reference | Greek form | KJV text |
|---|---|---|
| Act 3:12 | εὐσεβείᾳ | And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so… |
| 1Ti 2:2 | εὐσεβείᾳ | For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and… |
| 1Ti 3:16 | εὐσεβείας | And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spi… |
| 1Ti 4:7 | εὐσέβειαν. | But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. |
| 1Ti 4:8 | εὐσέβεια | For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life … |
| 1Ti 6:3 | εὐσέβειαν | If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and t… |
| 1Ti 6:5 | εὐσέβειαν | Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: fro… |
| 1Ti 6:6 | εὐσέβεια | But godliness with contentment is great gain. |
| 1Ti 6:11 | εὐσέβειαν, | But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, m… |
| 2Ti 3:5 | εὐσεβείας, | Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. |
| Tit 1:1 | εὐσέβειαν | Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowl… |
| 2Pe 1:3 | εὐσέβειαν | According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the … |
| 2Pe 1:6 | εὐσέβειαν, | And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; |
| 2Pe 1:7 | εὐσεβείᾳ | And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. |
| 2Pe 3:11 | εὐσεβείαις | Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conver… |