θεοσέβεια
theosébeia
G2317 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Reverence or respect directed toward the divine; the quality or disposition of honoring and worshiping a deity in thought, speech, and action. The primary sense is 'piety'—specifically, religious devotion or observance, which encompasses acts, attitudes, and an internal disposition rightly directed toward the divine. The term may also refer to visible demonstrations of reverence, such as participation in rituals or observance of customs considered appropriate to honoring the deity.
Semantic Range
religious devotion, reverence toward the divine, piety, devoutness, right conduct toward the deity, acts of worship, visible evidence of reverence
Root / Etymology
From θεοσεβής (god-fearing, reverent toward God), itself from θεός (god, deity) + σέβομαι (to revere, worship, respect). The noun form θεοσέβεια is formed on analogy with other abstract nouns and indicates the quality of being θεοσεβής.
Historical & Contextual Notes
θεοσέβεια is a relatively rare noun, with attestation primarily in Hellenistic and later Greek. It concentrates on the quality of religious devotion or piety as recognized both in personal behavior and broader social or ritual observance. In classical Greek, σέβομαι and its cognates generally cover a broad spectrum of 'reverence' or 'awe' toward deities. By the Hellenistic and Roman periods, compounds like θεοσέβεια and θεοσεβής point specifically to a quality of right relationship to the divine, often set over against impiety (ἀσέβεια). In the Septuagint, the related adjective is found, usually translating Hebrew terms connected with fearing or properly honoring the God of Israel. θεοσέβεια in the New Testament (e.g., 1 Timothy 2:10) indicates not an abstract spiritual state but tangible, observable devotion and piety. English translations often use 'godliness,' but this term can be misunderstood in modern usage; 'devoutness' or 'piety' better reflect the term's social and cultic dimensions.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from θεοσεβής; devoutness, i.e. piety:--godliness.
Root Family
θεοσέβεια (theosebeia) — reverence toward the divine, piety, religious devotion, devout observance
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2317-01 |
θεοσέβειαν | theosebeian | N ACC F SG |
godliness | religious devotion | religious devotion | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2317-01 |
1 Timothy 2:10 | θεοσέβειαν | theosebeian | N ACC F SG |
godliness | religious devotion | religious devotion |