The quality of faith and life that is pleasing to God. The noun occurs in the Pastoral Letters and in 2 Peter as a description of Christian life (1Tim 6:11; 2Pet 1:5-7; cf. Acts 3:12, NRSV: “piety”). The adjective, sometimes rendered as “devout” (Acts 10:2; Acts 10:7) can also be linked more specifically with Christian behavior (Titus 2:11-13). Godliness is more than correct behavior, however, for it is possible to have “a form of godliness” while denying its power (2Tim 3:5). That power is found in Christ; thus, (1Tim 3:16) calls an early confession of faith “the mystery of godliness” (NRSV: “the mystery of our religion”). Only through Christ is true godliness possible, for God’s power “has given us everything needed for life and godliness” (2Pet 1:3).
