εὐσεβής (eusebēs)
eusebēs
pious
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective eusebēs describes a life marked by reverence and dutiful respect toward God. Derived from roots meaning "well" and "to revere," it conveys a sense of piety that is both internal attitude and external conduct. In the New Testament, this term appears only three times, giving it a focused theological weight rather than broad casual usage.
Its most notable occurrence is in Acts 10:2, where the Roman centurion Cornelius is described as "God-fearing" or devout alongside his wife. This usage highlights that eusebēs can apply to Gentiles who honor the God of Israel without necessarily being full converts to Judaism, distinguishing them from those who are merely religious in a superficial sense. The term also appears in 2 Peter 2:9, where it characterizes the righteous who are kept under guard during times of trial.
While closely related to words like theossebēs (God-fearing), eusebēs emphasizes the quality of one’s reverence as a defining trait of character. It suggests a stable disposition of honor toward the divine, reflected in actions such as prayer and charity, rather than just ritual observance. This distinction helps clarify how early Christian writers viewed genuine piety across different cultural and religious backgrounds.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word eusebēs describes a life anchored in deep reverence for God. It is not merely about following religious rules but reflects a heart that honors the divine through consistent prayer and generous care for others. This quality of piety shapes how we treat those around us, turning faith into tangible kindness.
When you see Cornelius described with this term, it shows that genuine devotion crosses every boundary. His respect for God was evident in his actions toward the needy, proving that true reverence is lived out daily. This word invites you to examine your own life: does your respect for God show up in how you give and serve?
Even in times of trial, this steadfast character offers hope. The promise that the Lord knows how to deliver the godly reminds us that our reverence is seen and held by Him. You can trust that a life marked by such quiet faithfulness is never overlooked.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- devout2×
- [the] devout1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εὐσεβῆ1×
- εὐσεβὴς1×
- εὐσεβεῖς1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 10:2
a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God.
This verse defines the word by linking piety directly to generous giving and constant prayer, showing it as active devotion rather than passive belief.
-
II Peter 2:9
then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,
Here the term identifies those who are under God's protective care during temptation, highlighting piety as a marker of those preserved by the Lord.
-
Acts 10:7
When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually.
The description extends to Cornelius' household staff, indicating that this reverent character can influence and define an entire community or family unit.