Eusebeia

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Eusebeia (Greek:εὐσέβεια, from eu meaning "well", and sebomai meaning "reverence", itself formed from seb meaning sacred awe and reverence especially in actions) is a Greek word abundantly used in Greek philosophy as well as in the New Testament, meaning inner piety, spiritual maturity, or godliness.

The first recorded usage of the word dates to Homer, circa 1000 BCE.

The word was the used in Classical Greece where it meant "personal piety in the fulfillment of human relationships". It also expressed the act of concretely and outwardly fulfilling worshipping acts towards Greek gods (gifts, sacrifices, public devotions), and by extension to honour the gods by showing proper respect to elders, masters, rulers and everything under the protection of the gods.

For Platonists, "Eusebeia" meant“right conduct in regard to the gods.” For the Stoics, “knowledge of how God should be worshipped.”

Progressively, and within the wider Hellenistic world, or koine, Eusebeia came to designate "inner piety", or spirituality, a duty inwardly due to God.

The Indian emperor Ashoka in his 250 BCE Edicts used the word "eusebeia" as a Greek translation for the central Buddhist concept of "dharma".

"Eusebeia" was adopted by Christianity to describe the awesome respect due to God and his worship. It is often translated as "godliness" in the New Testament.

Zodhiates says that:

"When eusébeia is applied to the Christian life, it denotes a life that is acceptable to Christ, indicating the proper attitude of the believer toward Christ who has saved him. It is both an attitude and a manner of life." Spiros Zodhiates

"Divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness (eusébeia), through the true (full, personal, experiential) knowledge of Him Who called us by His own glory and excellence." Peter (2 Pet 1:3)