2152. eusebés
Lexical Summary
eusebés: Godly, devout, pious

Original Word: εὐσεβής
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: eusebés
Pronunciation: yoo-seb-ace'
Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-seb-ace')
KJV: devout, godly
NASB: devout, devout man, godly
Word Origin: [from G2095 (εὖ - well) and G4576 (σέβομαι - worship)]

1. well-reverent
2. devoutly reverent in attitude, conduct, and deed, i.e. pious, godly

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 Origin
from eu and sebó
Definition
pious
NASB Translation
devout (1), devout man (1), godly (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2152: εὐσεβής

εὐσεβής, 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 ? and 4 Maccabees (1st century B.C.?)) (Cf. Trench, § xlviii.)

Topical Lexicon
Scope of the Term

ἐυσέβης (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.
2. Observable fruit: Almsgiving, prayer, and steadfast endurance are tangible proofs of devotion.
3. Divine recognition: God hears Cornelius’ prayers (Acts 10:4) and promises deliverance for the godly (2 Peter 2:9). The term therefore signals both human responsibility and divine response.

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.
• Encourage believers serving in secular institutions that wholehearted devotion is both possible and influential.
• Teach suffering saints that present trials do not negate but validate their status as “godly” awaiting divine rescue (2 Peter 2:9).

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 eusebḕs
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Acts 10:2 Adj-NMS
GRK: 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
GRK: καὶ στρατιώτην εὐσεβῆ τῶν προσκαρτερούντων
NAS: of his servants and a devout soldier
KJV: and a devout soldier
INT: and a soldier devout of those continually waiting

2 Peter 2:9 Adj-AMP
GRK: οἶδεν Κύριος εὐσεβεῖς ἐκ πειρασμοῦ
NAS: to rescue the godly from temptation,
KJV: how to deliver the godly out of
INT: knows [the] Lord [how the] devout out of temptation

Strong's Greek 2152
3 Occurrences


εὐσεβῆ — 1 Occ.
εὐσεβὴς — 1 Occ.
εὐσεβεῖς — 1 Occ.

2151
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