Godliness

Only 1,2Timothy, Titus, and 2Peter use words with the euseb- root for Christian piety. Individuals can be trained in godliness ( 1 Timothy 4:7 ). Godly teaching (1 Timothy 6:3 ) is that which results in godly lives (Titus 1:1 ). False teachers sought to make their godliness a source of financial gain (1 Timothy 6:5 ). When “godliness” appears in lists with other virtues, it perhaps retains its earlier sense of respect for God and divinely ordained institutions (1 Timothy 6:11; Titus 2:12; 2 Peter 1:3-7 ). The form of godliness lacking the power of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5 ) likely refers to professed godliness that failed to shape moral lives since the profession was not accompanied by a vital relationship with God.