2153. eusebós

Lexical Summary

eusebós: Piously, devoutly, godly

Original Word: εὐσεβῶς
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: eusebós
Pronunciation: yoo-seb-OS
Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-seb-oce')
KJV: godly
NASB: godly
Word Origin: [adverb from G2152 (εὐσεβής - devout)]

1. reverently devout (in attitude, conduct, and deed)
2. piously, godly

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

godly.

Adverb from eusebes; piously -- godly.

see GREEK eusebes

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 2153 eusebṓs (from 2152 /eusebḗs, "inward piety") – venerably, inwardly pious (devout).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
adverb from eusebés
Definition
piously
NASB Translation
godly (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2153: εὐσεβῶς

εὐσεβῶς, adverb, piously, godly: ζῆν, 2 Timothy 3:12; Titus 2:12. (Pindar (ἐυσεβεως), Sophocles, Xenophon, Plato, others; 4 Macc. 7:21 (Fritzsche omits).)

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Scope

Strong’s Greek 2153 identifies a manner of life that is consciously oriented toward reverence for God, expressed in conduct that accords with sound doctrine. It is not a merely external piety but a posture of the heart that shapes every sphere of thought, word, and deed.

Occurrences in the New Testament

1. 2 Timothy 3:12 – “Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
2. Titus 2:12 – “[Grace] instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”

Each usage appears in Pastoral Epistles, letters concerned with church order, sound teaching, and faithful endurance, underscoring that godliness is indispensable to authentic Christian witness.

Theological Significance

• Christ-centered: Both contexts locate godly living “in Christ Jesus” or as the fruit of grace. Godliness is not self-generated moralism but a Spirit-enabled conformity to the character of the Savior.
• Eschatological tension: Titus 2:12 situates godliness “in the present age,” while verse 13 looks to “the blessed hope.” Believers live godly lives now because a future appearing of Christ is certain.
• Inevitability of opposition: 2 Timothy 3:12 links godliness with persecution, reminding the church that fidelity attracts hostility from a world at odds with God.

Practical Implications for Christian Living

1. Motivation: Grace teaches, not merely obligates, believers to live in a godly way. Legalism is excluded; gratitude fuels obedience.
2. Holistic scope: Godliness touches self-control (inner discipline), righteousness (relationships with others), and devotion (orientation toward God), as Titus 2:12 sets forth a threefold focus.
3. Perseverance under trial: Expecting persecution equips Christians to endure without surprise or resentment, viewing opposition as confirmation of identification with Christ.

Historical and Patristic Reception

Early church writers often paired godliness with orthodoxy, warning that sound doctrine divorced from godly conduct breeds hypocrisy, while zeal for holiness without truth leads to ascetic error. For example, Polycarp urged believers to hold “the word of righteousness” and to live “in godliness” before both believers and unbelievers.

Intertextual Themes and Connections

• Old Testament resonance: While 2153 does not occur in the Septuagint, its concept parallels the Hebrew framework of fearing the Lord (Proverbs 1:7) and walking blamelessly (Psalm 15:2).
• Pauline synthesis: In 1 Timothy 6:6 Paul states, “Godliness with contentment is great gain,” linking the lifestyle denoted by 2153 to inward sufficiency, thus guarding against materialism.
• Apostolic call: 2 Peter 3:11, though using a cognate noun, asks, “What kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives,” echoing the same moral vision across apostolic teaching.

Exhortation for Modern Ministry

Pastors, teachers, and every believer are called to pattern life and ministry after the grace-driven model highlighted by Strong’s 2153. Godliness authenticates proclamation, sustains endurance amid cultural opposition, and aligns the church with its blessed hope. By nurturing robust doctrine and practiced reverence, the body of Christ bears consistent, compelling witness until the appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Forms and Transliterations

ευσεβως ευσεβώς εὐσεβῶς eusebos eusebôs eusebōs eusebō̂s

Englishman's Concordance

2 Timothy 3:12 Adv
GRK: θέλοντες ζῇν εὐσεβῶς ἐν Χριστῷ
NAS: to live godly in Christ
KJV: that will live godly in Christ
INT: wish to live godly in Christ

Titus 2:12 Adv
GRK: δικαίως καὶ εὐσεβῶς ζήσωμεν ἐν
NAS: righteously and godly in the present
KJV: and godly, in
INT: righteously and godly we should live in

Strong's Greek 2153
2 Occurrences

εὐσεβῶς — 2 Occ.