Topical Encyclopedia The term "pious" refers to a devout and reverent attitude towards God, characterized by a life of holiness, obedience, and devotion. In the context of the Bible, piety is often associated with the fear of the Lord, a deep respect and awe for God's majesty and authority, which leads to righteous living and faithful worship.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, piety is closely linked with the fear of the Lord, which is considered the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). The Hebrew word often translated as "pious" or "godly" is "chasid," which denotes kindness, loyalty, and devotion to God. The Psalms frequently highlight the characteristics of a pious person. For example, Psalm 4:3 states, "Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD hears when I call to Him." This verse emphasizes that God distinguishes the pious and listens to their prayers. The life of Job is a profound example of piety in the Old Testament. Job is described as "blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil" (Job 1:1). Despite severe trials, Job's steadfast faith and reverence for God exemplify true piety. New Testament Context In the New Testament, piety is often expressed through the Greek word "eusebeia," which signifies godliness and reverence. The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to live pious lives. In 1 Timothy 4:7-8 , Paul instructs, "Train yourself for godliness. For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come." The life and teachings of Jesus Christ serve as the ultimate model of piety. Jesus' devotion to the Father, His obedience to God's will, and His love for humanity exemplify the essence of true piety. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches about the attitudes and behaviors that characterize a pious life, such as humility, mercy, and purity of heart (Matthew 5:3-12). Piety in Practice Piety involves both inward devotion and outward expression. It is not merely a set of rituals or external acts but a heartfelt commitment to God. James 1:27 defines pure and undefiled religion as "to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." This verse underscores that true piety manifests in compassionate actions and moral integrity. The early church fathers and Christian tradition have long emphasized the importance of piety. The practice of spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are seen as means to cultivate a pious life. These practices are not ends in themselves but are intended to draw believers closer to God and transform their character to reflect Christ. Challenges to Piety Throughout Scripture, there are warnings against false piety or hypocrisy. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for their outward displays of religiosity while neglecting the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). True piety is not about seeking the approval of others but about a sincere relationship with God. In contemporary times, believers are called to maintain piety amidst a secular and often hostile culture. The Apostle Peter encourages Christians to live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse them of doing wrong, they may see their good deeds and glorify God (1 Peter 2:12). Conclusion Piety remains a central aspect of the Christian faith, calling believers to a life of devotion, holiness, and service. Through the examples of biblical figures and the teachings of Scripture, Christians are encouraged to pursue a pious life that honors God and reflects His love to the world. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) Reverential; dutiful; religious; devout; godly.2. (a.) Practiced under the pretext of religion; prompted by mistaken piety; as, pious errors; pious frauds. Greek 3741. hosios -- righteous, pious, holy ... righteous, pious, holy. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: hosios Phonetic Spelling: (hos'-ee-os) Short Definition: holy, pious Definition: holy, pious ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3741.htm - 7k 2152. eusebes -- pious 2151. eusebeo -- to show piety towards 2318. theosebes -- God-fearing 2126. eulabes -- cautious 2357. threskos of unc. or. -- religious. 2153. eusebos -- piously 2125. eulabeomai -- to be cautious 5377. philotheos -- loving God Strong's Hebrew 2623. chasid -- kind, pious... 2622, 2623. chasid. 2624 . kind, pious. Transliteration: chasid Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-seed') Short Definition: ones. Word Origin ... /hebrew/2623.htm - 6k 8535. tam -- complete Library Labours of Pious Men in France. Pious Worship. The Glory of Penitents and Pious People. Wish You to Know, Most Pious Father, that in These Days There Has ... At Early Dawn, with Pious Thought, Psalm 112 the Blessings of the Pious and Charitable. Blessedness of the Pious Dead. "You have Assembled, My Pious and Eloquent Friends, to Hear Me... Helena's Pious Conduct in the Churches. A Pious Fraud. Thesaurus Pious (18 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Practiced under the pretext of religion; prompted by mistaken piety; as, pious errors; pious frauds. Multi-Version Concordance Pious (18 Occurrences). ... /p/pious.htm - 11k Desolation (131 Occurrences) Hammurabi Godly (50 Occurrences) Devout (13 Occurrences) Piously (3 Occurrences) Abomination (78 Occurrences) Job (60 Occurrences) Affliction (120 Occurrences) Habakkuk (3 Occurrences) Resources What is the definition of piety? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about impiety? What does it mean to be impious? | GotQuestions.org What are the 95 Theses of Martin Luther? | GotQuestions.org Pious: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Pious (18 Occurrences)Luke 2:25 Acts 2:5 Acts 8:2 Acts 10:2 Acts 10:7 Acts 22:12 1 Timothy 2:8 1 Timothy 5:4 Titus 1:8 Titus 2:12 2 Peter 2:9 2 Peter 3:11 Deuteronomy 33:8 Psalms 4:3 Psalms 43:1 Psalms 86:2 Psalms 132:9 Psalms 132:16 Subtopics Related Terms |
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