The English translations of various Greek terms appearing only in Acts, Colossians, the Gospel of John, the Pastoral Letters, James, and 2 Peter. The word used in (Acts 17:22 and Acts 25:19) was commonly used in Hellenistic culture for observances offered to a deity. A second word is used in (Acts 26:5) with reference to Jewish observances and customs, in (Col 2:18) for the “worship” of angels, and in (Jas 1:26-27) for proper conduct toward others. Yet another word is found most frequently in the Pastoral Letters and is variously translated in the NRSV as “religion” (1Tim 3:16; 1Tim 5:4), “godliness” or “godly” (1Tim 2:2; 1Tim 4:7; 1Tim 4:8; 1Tim 6:3; 1Tim 6:5; 1Tim 6:6; 2Tim 3:5; Titus 1:1; Titus 2:12; 2Pet 1:3; 2Pet 1:6; 2Pet 2:9; 2Pet 3:11), “piety” (Acts 3:12), “devout” (Acts 10:2; Acts 10:7), or “worship” or “worshiper” (Acts 10:23; John 9:31); this root refers both to the Christian message and to proper conduct.
