Piety
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Piety in the Bible?
The concept of piety encompasses devotion to God and reciprocal obligations within the family structure, where the Greek verb eusebeo appears in 1 Timothy 5:4 and Acts 17:23 to describe both religious reverence and filial responsibility.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding piety as an integrated system of divine reverence and social duty clarifies the biblical expectation that ethical family conduct serves as a tangible expression of religious faith.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Piety. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Piety in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Piety clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
1 Timothy 5:4Acts 17:23
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Piety." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/piety/