Language Studies

Greek Thoughts

EUSEBEIA* - Part 12 - 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 again taken from Paul's writings. Εὐσὲβεια is used in the New Testament to express reverence toward God. It can be used to indicate either an authentic expression from believers or a form of reverence expressed by false teachers and non-believers. Up to now, we have concentrated on this word's use in showing that reverence toward God which is produced in the life of believers by God's Spirit. But this week, our focus is on the reverence for God which comes from false teachers and non-believers. Our text is 2 Timothy 3:1-5

2 Timothy 3:1-5

The Caution Given By Paul

1)

Now this know, that in the last days difficult times shall be present;

Paul opens this chapter with a warning or caution, indicating that in the last days difficult times will be present. The Greek word used for the translation "difficult" is the adjective χαλεπὸς (Strong's #5467), which means harsh or dangerous. He writes that the condition of man upon the earth will be the cause of those difficult and harsh times...

The Condition of Man

2)

For men will be self-lovers, money-lovers, boasters, arrogant, abusive speakers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3)

without family affection, trucebreakers, slanderers, without self-control, savage, without love of good,

4)

betrayers, headstrong, having become conceited, pleasure-lovers rather than God-lovers,

In verses 2-4, Paul lists eighteen conditions or characteristics of people who will be alive in the last days. Then, at the beginning of verse 5, Paul uses a present participle to indicate that these same people will have another condition— in addition to the eighteen previously mentioned.

5a) while having a form of godliness, but having denied the power of it;

Although people in the last days will be corrupt, as shown by their lifestyle, they will, at the same time, also exhibit a form of godliness; but they will have denied the power of it. The word used here for form is μὸρφωσις (Strong's #3446), which means "external or outward form or shape." The word for godliness is our word of study εὐσὲβεια (Strong's #2150) meaning a "respect or reverence for God." Paul is presenting that while people will exhibit a corruption that comes from within, they will also have an external form or appearance that shows a reverence for God. The emphasis is on the outward, human expression of reverence that has not been produced by the Holy Spirit. "…having denied the power of it" completes Paul's description of these end-time people. He has given us a picture of religious people, corrupt in heart, who have continuously (as expressed by the perfect tense "having denied") denied or rejected the power of God. They have instead, out of their own human effort, produced an outward expression of reverence toward God. This is brought out more emphatically by Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15

13)

For such ones are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.

Paul tagged the false teachers that had come into Corinth as "false apostles" and charged that they were transforming themselves. His use of the middle voice of the present participle denotes that the subject is doing the action to himself, thus showing human or self-effort.

14)

And no wonder; for Satan himself is transforming himself into an angel of light.

Paul states here that this should not be a surprise, since Satan is "transforming himself into an angel of light." Again, his use of the middle voice of the present indicative denotes that Satan is doing this to and for himself so as to appear as an angel of light.

15)

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also are transforming themselves as ministers of righteousness; of whom the end will be according to their works.

This verse indicates that Satan's ministers are also in the process of transforming themselves into ministers of righteousness. In these verses, Paul is presenting the understanding that human effort can produce a "form" of righteousness—one that looks similar, in its outward appearance, to the authentic righteousness that is produced by the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of every true believer. (Now we continue with 2 Timothy 3:5).

The Command

5b) and you be continually turning away from these people.

Paul commands Timothy to continually turn away or refuse to participate with these people who are corrupt on the inside, but appear from the outside to have a form of godliness.

In summary, the Bible teaches that there are two kinds of godliness: one is developed in the life of the believer by the Holy Spirit from within. This produces a respect and reverence for the Lord, what He wants us to do, and how He wants us to live. The second form produces only an outward appearance of godliness, because it has not been produced by the power of the Holy Spirit but has rather been self-produced. People with this second form of godliness will reject God's Spirit and continue to live corrupt lifestyles; while at the same time expressing, through words or religious activities, the appearance of respect and reverence toward God. The picture Paul has painted in these scriptures is readily seen in our day and age. Those who merely express a belief in God or proffer respect for Him are accepted as true Christians. However, the Bible clearly teaches that only those who are concerned about how the Lord wants them to live, as can be solely produced by the Holy Spirit, are the ones who are showing true respect and reverence toward God.

We will continue with a new word study on worship next week.

* EUSEBEIA is the English font spelling of the Greek word εὐσὲβεια.

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