ADAR
BET 21
Godliness
“…and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety).” (2Pet 1:6 AMPC)
Noah Webster defines ‘godliness’ as “A
religious life; a careful observance of the laws of God and performance of
religious duties, proceeding from love
and reverence for the divine character and commands; Christian obedience”[1] (emphasis mine). The Greek word that is so translated is eusebeia (Strong’s
G2150), and signifies a deep reverence, respect and devotion.
Looking at the Hebrew word that have been translated as ‘godliness’ in the Greek Septuagint (the Greek version of the Old Testament), we find the word yir'âh (Strong’s H3374), which loosely translated means ‘fear’. Yir'âh is most often associated with ‘the fear of Elohim’, and carries with it the sense of moral reverence, intense honor and respect, and piety.
While I contemplated the significance of adding godliness and reverence to our ‘block’ of endurance and patience, I suspected that the result of combining these two had more to do with those who closely watch and monitor our halacha, our walk and lifestyle. Do we display an attitude of reverence and devotion to the One who created us? Or is our perseverance motivated by a ‘have to’ mentality, stemming from religious pride and arrogance?
I surmise that true godliness can only come from that loving and obedient relationship with the One who formed us. Being as how the Father is the one who is at work in us, (Phi 2:13; Heb 13:21), bringing us to that place where we would clearly reflect the image of Messiah (1Cor 15:49; 2Cor 3:18; Rom 8:29), then surely, we are expected to walk in the same ‘godliness’ that He walked in.
“But you, O man of
God, flee from these things and PURSUE righteousness, GODLINESS, faithfulness,
love, perseverance, and gentleness.” (1Tim 6:11 TLV, emphasis
mine)
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1Tim 6:6 TLV)
©2022
[1] American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828
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