The word “godliness” comes from the Greek word eusebeia and it means “a proper religious attitude of respect, reverence and devotion toward God, parents or one’s fellow man.” Its main use pertains to the reverent fear at the superiority and holiness of Almighty God and His worship that results in a careful obedience and loyalty to His Word. Eusebeia gives God the right place in one’s mind.It provides for worship and service before God in the right way.
Patience (perseverance) also leads to a humble reverence and a deep respect toward God. Patience is interrelated to godliness, which by itself is such a powerful word. We must with all diligence, in our patience, add godliness (2 Peter 1:5-6) to our Christian character.
Proverbs 1:7 gives us the basic idea of godliness. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction” (NKJV). Eusebeia is basically the right attitude toward God—the attitude of reverence, superiority, worship and obedience. To please God, we must embrace the meaning of this important word. That will lead to a complete, continual and cheerful obedience of God’s commands.
Christians are encouraged by Scripture to practice godliness. We are to lead a quiet life in all godliness (1 Timothy 2:2). Women are to profess godliness (1 Timothy 2:10). Great is the mystery of godliness (1 Timothy 3:16). Christians are to exercise themselves in godliness (1 Timothy 4:7). Godliness is profitable to all things (1 Timothy 4:8). Christian doctrine is according to godliness (1 Timothy 6:3). Godliness with contentment is gain (1 Timothy 6:5-6). We are to follow after godliness (1 Timothy 6:11). Some have a force of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5). Pursing the truth results in godliness (Titus 1:1).
Godliness is the product of the life lived in view of eternity (2 Peter 3:9-13). Peter urged upon us all holy living and godliness as we consider a world that is going to be destroyed in fervent heat at the coming of Christ and the Day of God.
