Language Studies

Greek Thoughts

EUSEBEIA* - Part 10 - εχηγεομαι (Strong's #1834)
Reverence, piety, godliness

Please note that all Biblical quotes, in this and all other lessons posted to Greek Thoughts, are from The Literal English Translation of the Bible produced by BTE Ministries - The Bible Translation and Exegesis Institute of America.

This week our study of εὐσὲβεια (Strong's #2150), the Greek word meaning reverence, respect or godliness, is taken from Paul's writings. As in previous sections of this study, we focus on εὐσὲβεια as it is used to express reverence from believers toward God. This week's text is 1 Timothy 4:6-8.

In the verses just prior to our text, Paul instructs Timothy on how to conduct himself as a pastor "in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Timothy 3:14-4:5)." He first presents the mystery of godliness (εὐσὲβεια): "God was manifested in flesh, justified in Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the Gentiles, was believed upon in the world, was received up in glory (1 Timothy 3:14-16)." Paul then tells Timothy that some will depart from the faith paying attention to "deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1-5)." He also presents some of the false teachings that will bind people to a life of asceticism (bodily exercise and self-discipline in order to produce spirituality). Paul then writes:

1 Timothy 4:6-8

6)

By advising^F1 these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Jesus Christ, while being nourished in the words of the faith, and the good teaching which you have closely followed.

Paul instructs Timothy to continually be involved in two things so that he can combat false teachings and be a good servant of Jesus Christ: First, Timothy must continually advise the brothers about these things (1 Timothy 3:14-4:5); and second, he must continually be feeding (nourished) on the "words of faith, and the good teaching" which he has already been following closely.

7) But godless and old women's myths refuse, but exercise yourself toward godliness (εὐσὲβεια);

Paul then tells Timothy to avoid or refuse godless stories and old women's myths. These would be any stories and fables that do not produce a respect and reverence for the Lord. In contrast, Timothy is to exercise himself "toward godliness." The Greek word for "exercise" is γυμνὰζω (Strong's #1128), which is used in the Scriptures to relate to both physical and mental exercise. In this verse, Timothy is told to exercise his mind with teachings and words that build a respect and reverence in his life for the Lord, instead of living a life of discipline in the physical realm for the purpose of attaining spirituality.

8)

for the bodily exercise is profitable toward a little, but the godliness (εὐσὲβεια) is profitable toward all things, having promise of the present^F2 life and the coming one.

In verse 8, Paul presents the rationale for his instruction: bodily exercise produces little gain, but exercising one's mind toward a reverence for the Lord is profitable for all things, having a promise of blessing in this life and in the one to come as well.

In summary, Paul ministers to Timothy that he is to advise the brethren of false teachers who emphasize a life of asceticism (attempting to gain spirituality through self-denial and self- discipline in the physical realm). Paul's instruction is to teach a lifestyle of godliness in respect to the Lord—godliness that comes from exercising the mind with teachings and words that build a respect and reverence for the Lord.

These scriptures not only give us a guideline for our own lives, but they serve as a yardstick for judging the often-contradictory teachings that we hear on a daily basis within the church. We need to remember that true teachings coming by the Spirit of God will emphasize the exercise and influence of the Word of God, for it is God's word that influences the mind and causes the development of a lifestyle of respect and reverence toward the Lord. The opposite is true of false teachings. Instead of emphasizing the word of God, their focus will be on physical efforts in the pursuit of Godliness.

Next week our study will be taken from 1 Timothy 6.

Technical Notes

F1: The present middle participle ὑποτιθὲμενος is translated in the modal form. The present active of ὑποτὶθημι (Strong's #5294) is translated, "to place under, to supply." The present middle form of ὑποτὶθημι is translated συμβολεὺω, "to advise."

F2: The Greek idiom τῆς͂νῦν͂ζῶης, "the now life," is translated by τῆς͂παροὺσης͂ζῶης, "the present life."

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