Greek Word Studies (2)

Advanced Level

Lesson 13

Lesson Title:  Godliness  ‘Eusebeia’

 

Text:   1 Timothy 6:11  ‘But you, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness (eusebeia), faith, love, patience, meekness.’

 

Introduction:   Meaning of ‘eusebeia’ (godiness).

‘Eusebeia’ is derived from ‘eu’ meaning well and ‘sebomai’ meaning devout.

It means to be pious, or to be godly in character.

Godliness is the outworking of the life of Christ dwelling in us.

See daily verse Life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3)

'Eusebeia' is a word associated with worship.

Acts 17:23  ‘For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship (eusebeo), him declare I unto you.’

 

True worship is the expression of love towards God from the heart. 

It is expressed in joyful obedience to the will of God as well as in proclamation and song. It is never legalistic. It is always motivated by love.

‘Eusebeia’ in this context is a word that describes a life that glorifies the Lord.

 

Examples:  Life of worship.

The whole of the Christian life is to be an act of worship.

Godliness is piety but it is led from the heart.

It is rooted in love not legalism which is selfish and external.

 

Personal Story:

I was at a church meeting when a word came into my mind that ‘the Lord does not rule His people with a rod of iron, but the Lord rules His people with a scepter of gold’. As I thought on this, I began to see that the rod of iron is used against enemies or to force unwilling people to obey.  It symbolizes the wrath of the King.

The scepter of gold does not reveal the wrath of the King but the beauty and splendour of His character.

The Lord’s people are not motivated by fear of His wrath but by love.

As I thought about this someone sitting behind me put some money into my hand.

At the end of the meeting I asked why the person had done it. 

The person replied that he had felt the Lord leading him to do it.

It was a wonderful demonstration of the moving of the Holy Spirit.

First He gave me a word of how the Lord’s people are moved by love not wrath and then just at that exact moment it was like the Lord stretched out the golden scepter to the person sitting behind me, and he responded in an act of worship and gave me a much needed gift.

 

 

Main Points

1.  Life and godliness (eusebeia).

2 Peter 1:3  ‘According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:’

‘Given us all things that pertain to life (zoe) and godliness (eusebeia).’

 

a)     The life of Christ in us (zoe).

Christianity is not religion.  It is new life in Christ.  It is new birth.

The old is gone – new life has come.

 

Difference between Religion and Christianity

Religion is by nature based upon works.

A priestly hierarchy must maintain the belief that grace is administered through the various forms of sacraments.

It offers the hope of forgiveness but with conditions that will maintain the authority of a priestly hierarchy.

This kind of religion can produce charitable works but can never bring the peace of justification through faith in Christ alone.

 

Biblical Christianity is the message of new life.

In Christ my life is crucified with Christ and I am raised a completely new creation.

I am born into the family of God.

My life is hid with Christ.

The old is completely wiped away.

Sin does not have dominion over me.

 

b)     The outworking of His life in us - godliness (eusebeia).

‘Eusebeia’ is the outworking of new life.

It is not the result of zeal for salvation.  It is the fruit of salvation.

Good works are the evidence of new life.

They should be evident in the lives of Christian women.  1 Timothy 2:10  ‘But (which becomes women professing godliness ‘eusebeia’) with good works.’

 

‘Eusebeia’ is profitable to all things.

Promise of life in the present and life in the future.

1 Timothy 4:8  For bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

This does not mean that if we are godly then we are promised life now and in the future.

We can only be godly when we have new life.

Godliness reveals the promise of new life in us right now and confirms the promise of resurrected life in the future.

 

c)      Follow after godliness

1 Timothy 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Follow righteousness –  guarding our heart and mind from wrong desires.

Follow godliness – producing good works so Christ is seen in us.

Cultivating the fruit of the Spirit - led by the Spirit and putting off the works of the flesh.

 

 

2.  The mystery of godliness (eusebeia).  1 Timothy 3:16  ‘And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.’

 

‘Eusebeia’ is the outworking of a heart of worship.

It is characterized by humility and love.

It stands in contrast to pride and ambition.

The primary concern of ‘eusebeia’ is not self interest but to glorify the Father, and concern for the well being of others.

a)     The gospel message is called the ‘mystery of eusebeia’.

The primary objective of Christ was to glorify the Father. ‘I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do.’ (John 17:4)

The Father sent His Son.

The Lord Jesus came down to our level, and gave Himself as a sacrifice so that we can become the sons and daughters of God.

i)                    God became flesh – humanity of Christ

ii)                  Justified in the Spirit – sinless Son of God

iii)                Seen of angels – the cross, resurrection and ascension.  Crucified in weakness; raised in power. 

Colossians 2:15  ‘And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.’

He has ascended far above all.

Ephesians 1:21  ‘Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:’. 

iv)                Preached unto the Gentiles – the gospel message

v)                  Believed on in the world – acceptance of the gospel.

vi)                Received up into glory – raised us up to be seated with Him in heavenly places.  Heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ.

He humbled Himself so that we can become sons and daughters of the living God (Philippians 2:5-11).

 

b)     Following His example of ‘eusebeia’

i)                    Christ was driven by ‘agape’ love not ambition.

We should be motivated by ‘self sacrificing love’.

The love of God is not just an emotional response to a bad situation. 

God is love.  Everything He does is a revelation of His love.

Having loved His own, He loved them unto the end (John 13:1).

‘A new commandment I give unto you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.’ (John 13:34)

 

ii)                  The love of the Father in us.

‘And I have declared unto them your name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’ (John 17:26).

His love is seen in that he gave the most precious gift.

John 3:16 ‘For God so loved the world’

Romans 8:32 ‘He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?’

How much more should we be willing to give all for Him. (1 John 3:16)

 

iii)                Christ delighted in obeying the will of the Father.

He did nothing out of duty. 

He did everything out of love for the Father.

Psalm 40:8  ‘I delight to do your will, O my God: yea, your law is within my heart.’

In Gethsemane He prayed ‘not My will but Yours be done’ (Luke 22:42)

The life of ‘eusebeia’ is expressed in this ‘I delight to do your will’ and ‘not My will but Yours be done’.

 

 

3.  Truth and godliness (eusebeia).

Titus 1:1  Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

Acknowledging (epignosis) means experiential knowledge.

Knowledge of truth comes out of experience.

The Bible says ‘O taste and see that the Lord is good’ (Psalm 34:8)

 

a)     Experiential knowledge of truth comes out of new life in Christ.

‘Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ (John 8:31-32)

Remaining steadfast in His word – badge of discipleship

Experiential knowledge – freedom.

Freedom results from remaining steadfast in the word of Christ.  It is the product of ‘eusebeia’

Bondage comes from following self, sin, religion or secular philosophy.

 

b)     Doctrine must always be according to godliness ‘eusebeia’.

1 Timothy 6:3  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

Biblical doctrine is known through ‘experiential knowledge’ of new life in Christ. 

A church that preaches doctrine and neglects ‘eusebeia’ is in error.

Doctrine must be known through ‘new life in Christ’.

 

Illustration:  Truth must be experienced.

A major reason why the Christian message is rejected is because the gospel is preached as a doctrine to be believed rather than truth to be experienced.

The preaching of ‘experiential knowledge’ will produce a far greater response than merely preaching ‘doctrinal truth’.

I have found this to be very evident when preaching in prisons. There is always a great response to the preaching of the gospel.

Jesus did not come to lecture doctrine; He came for this purpose that we might have life (John 10:10). The gospel of John was written for this purpose that we might know that Jesus is the Son of God and that by faith in Him we will find life (John 20:31).

 

c)      Not running after foolish teachings but seeking after godliness.  (1 Timothy 4:7) ‘But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself rather unto godliness.’

 

The teaching that associates godliness with the idea of being rich is foolish.

Living in God’s supernatural supply is a far greater blessing than an abundance of riches.

Prosperity is living in new life, and being content with the provision the Lord in our daily lives.

(1 Timothy 6:6)  ‘But godliness with contentment is great gain.’

 

A godly person may be blessed in business because he or she does everything with diligence as unto the Lord.  The teaching that by giving a certain amount of money a person will receive a large percentage return is wrong teaching.

Financial abundance is never guaranteed in scripture.

The evidence of new life is a godly character.. 

(1 Timothy 6:5)  ‘Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.’

 

Financial stewardship of a Christian.

1)     To provide for his or her family (wife, children and aged parents if in need).

2)     To care for the poor especially those in the extended family and in our community.

3)     To provide for the household of faith (those preaching the gospel)

There is no scriptural obligation in the New Testament to give tithes to a local church.  But it is necessary to maintain a local church through the gifts of those who attend.  These gifts need to be given cheerfully.

 

Preachers who are lovers of money should be avoided.

A preacher who lives on the donations of believers has a responsibility to live a moderate lifestyle. 

Preachers who claim a special anointing or use cunningly devised teachings to raise large amounts of money should be avoided.

Tax return on giving.

I have lived in Denmark for many years. The Danish tax system will give back tax on money that is given to the church. The figures have to be carefully documented. The problem with this system is that it can make giving very organised and systematic. It can also become legalistic and not the expression of worship.

Giving should always come be joyful,an expression of love for Christ and for His people, and should come from a heart of worship and not legalistic duty.

Sometimes an act of worship requires spontaneous giving with no regard to tax return.

 

 

4.  The building of Christian character.

 ‘And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.’ (2 Peter 1:5-7)

 

The greatest testimony of the believer is the life of the believer.

What we are in daily life speaks much more than what we preach to others.

It is the life of Christ in the believer that will attract people to Christ.

We can preach words but the testimony of our life is our message.

But we are not judged by man’s standards.

Our goal is to come to the full stature of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13)

 

The need to increase in godly character.

Our character should become stronger in steadfast endurance.

We should be seen to be more Christlike in our daily lives as His life in us increases.

Our relationship with others should be seen to increase in kindness and consideration of others.

All things controlled by ‘agape’ love.

 

Religious hypocrisy – built upon morality and legalism not the life of Christ

(2 Timothy 3:5)  ‘Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.’

Nominal Christians who do not have the life of Christ have religion not life.

The Christian life is no more than ‘living a good life’

 

It is the life of Christ in us that will produce the fruit of a godly life.

Morality and legalism cannot produce new life.

 

 

5.  Seeking ‘eusebeia’ in the knowledge that the world will pass away.

Living for eternity.  (2 Peter 3:11)  ‘Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.’

 

i)                    The world will not endure.  ‘Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved…’ (2 Peter 3:11)

Peter tells how the earth will one day be destroyed.

This is proven by science.

The sun is burning hydrogen and gives off helium.

When the sun begins to burn helium then the heat will be immense and the planets in the solar system will be destroyed by fire.

 

ii)                  ‘Eusebeia’ will endure.  ‘…what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.’ (2 Peter 3:11)

Anastrophe - conversation ‘manner of life’

Eusebeia – Godliness

Glorify the Lord with our lives. 

Motivated by the love of Christ. 

 

Summary: 

‘Eusebeia’…

1)     …is the outworking of the life of Christ in us.

2)     …was at the heart of the redemptive work of Christ ‘the mystery of godliness’. It should be seen leading the life of the believer as ‘eusebeia’ was seen leading Christ.

3)     …it is never legalistic but evidence of the freedom we have in Christ.

4)     …it is produced by growth in the Christian life.

5)     …it is a life of worship.

6)     …it will bring an eternal inheritance.