Lexical Summary eusebés: Godly, devout, pious Original Word: εὐσεβής Strong's Exhaustive Concordance devout, godly. From eu and sebomai; well-reverent, i.e. Pious -- devout, godly. see GREEK eu see GREEK sebomai HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2152 eusebḗs (an adjective, derived from 2095 /eú, "well, good" and 4576 /sébomai, "pay homage, veneration") – devout, respectful (showing due reverence). See 2150 (eusebeia). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom eu and sebó Definition pious NASB Translation devout (1), devout man (1), godly (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2152: εὐσεβήςεὐσεβής, ἐυσεβες (εὖ and σέβομαι), pious, dutiful (toward God (A. V. devout, godly); εὐσεβέω): Acts 10:2, 7; Acts 22:12 R G; 2 Peter 2:9. ((Theognis), Pindar, Tragg., Aristophanes, Plato, others; thrice in the Sept. for נָדִיב noble, generous, Isaiah 32:8; for צַדִּיק, Isaiah 24:16; Isaiah 26:7; often in Sirach (circa Topical Lexicon Scope of the Termἐυσέβης (Strong’s 2152) identifies a person whose outward conduct springs from genuine reverence for God. While the English word “godly” can be vague, the New Testament usage of εὐσεβής always joins inner allegiance to God with visible acts that honor Him. The word occurs only three times, yet it anchors the New Testament portrait of practical piety. Occurrences in Scripture Acts 10:2 records Cornelius as “a devout man and God-fearing, he and all his household, who gave alms generously to the people and prayed to God continually”. His devotion is immediately linked to generosity and persistent prayer. Acts 10:7 repeats the description when Cornelius dispatches “two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him”. The modifier underscores that Cornelius’ piety had already influenced those under his command. 2 Peter 2:9 contrasts destinies: “the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment”. Here εὐσεβής marks the boundary between those preserved by God and those reserved for judgment. Essential Characteristics 1. God-fearing orientation: In all three passages reverence toward the true God shapes life choices. Continuity with Old Testament Piety The Septuagint employs cognate words for the Hebrew concept of יִרְאַת יְהוָה (fear of the LORD). Psalm 4:3 testifies, “the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself,” foreshadowing 2 Peter 2:9. Thus εὐσεβής carries forward Israel’s heritage of covenant faithfulness expressed in worship and ethical life. Witness in the Early Church Cornelius represents the first large-scale Gentile inclusion (Acts 10–11). Luke intentionally labels him εὐσεβής to affirm that genuine devotion is possible outside Jewish ceremonial boundaries, preparing readers for the Spirit’s work among all nations. The “devout soldier” shows that piety can flourish even within Roman military structures, modeling how the gospel penetrates vocational spheres. Peter’s epistle, written decades later, expands the term beyond an individual case to a class: “the godly.” In a hostile culture believers are urged to persevere, confident of God’s deliverance. The word thus frames Christian identity amid persecution. Pastoral and Discipleship Implications • Cultivate habits that mirror Cornelius—regular prayer, generosity, and household leadership—in order to be recognized as εὐσεβής. Historical Echoes Second-century writers such as Polycarp and Justin Martyr adopt εὐσέβεια (the abstract noun) to defend Christian ethics before pagan audiences, echoing Cornelius’ example. Their apologies argue that true reverence produces civic virtue, silencing accusations against the church. Summary Though appearing only three times, εὐσεβής weaves together reverence, righteous action, and assured salvation. It bridges Old Testament and New Testament piety, legitimizes Gentile inclusion, and fortifies believers under trial. True godliness, as Scripture portrays, is never private sentiment but public, Spirit-empowered devotion that God both notices and rewards. Forms and Transliterations ευσεβεί ευσεβεις ευσεβείς εὐσεβεῖς ευσεβη ευσεβή εὐσεβῆ ευσεβης ευσεβής εὐσεβὴς ευσεβών eusebe eusebê eusebē eusebē̂ eusebeis eusebeîs eusebes eusebēs eusebḕsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 10:2 Adj-NMSGRK: εὐσεβὴς καὶ φοβούμενος NAS: a devout man and one who feared God KJV: [A] devout [man], and one that feared INT: devout and fearing Acts 10:7 Adj-AMS 2 Peter 2:9 Adj-AMP Strong's Greek 2152 |
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