Eusebeia
Sign in to saveEusebeia (Greek: from "pious" from eu meaning "well", and sebas 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 Greek translations of texts of Indian religions and the Greek New Testament, meaning to perform the actions appropriate to the gods. The root seb- () is connected to danger and flight, and thus the sense of reverence originally described fear of the gods.
~3 min read
Article
4 sectionsContents
- Classical Greek usage
- In ancient India
- New Testament usage
- References
Eusebeia (Greek: from "pious" from eu meaning "well", and sebas 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 Greek translations of texts of Indian religions and the Greek New Testament, meaning to perform the actions appropriate to the gods. The root seb- () is connected to danger and flight, and thus the sense of reverence originally described fear of the gods.
==Classical Greek usage== The word was used in Classical Greece where it meant behaving as tradition dictates in one's social relationships and towards the gods. One demonstrates eusebeia to the gods by performing the customary acts of respect (festivals, prayers, sacrifices, public devotions). By extension one honors the gods by showing proper respect to elders, masters, rulers and everything under the protection of the gods.