As we have discussed the qualities we are to possess as Christians, we have emphasized the fact that faith is the starting point. All of the characteristics must be based upon faith; otherwise, these traits will be manifested in ways that are contrary to God’s will. Whether or not this matters to us will depend on our attitude toward God, which is the point of the next characteristic in Peter’s list – godliness.
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-8).
What Is Godliness?
Godliness is translated from the Greek word eusebeia. Thayer defines it as reverence, respect, and piety toward God. W. E. Vine describes it as a “Godward attitude” that does what “is well-pleasing to Him.” In other words, godliness is a fear of God (reverence) that leads us to obey Him (doing what is well-pleasing to Him).
What Godliness Looks Like WITHOUT Faith
Of all the characteristics in Peter’s list, this is the hardest one to imagine without faith. In fact, it would seem that godliness cannot possibly exist without faith in God. Properly defined, this is true. However, this characteristic, which leads one to fear and obey God, can manifest in other ways.
Fundamentally, this is the attitude that leads one to respect and submit to authority. This is certainly good. In the home, wives are to submit to their husbands, and children are to obey their parents (Colossians 3:18, 20). In the workplace, workers follow the instructions of their masters, bosses, managers, and other leaders (Colossians 3:22-23). And in society, citizens are to “be in subjection to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1). However, without faith in God, this reverent submission to those in authority can lead to sin. This can happen by following the example of a wicked father (cf. Ezekiel 18:14), working in a profession that profits off of sin (cf. Acts 19:23-28), or obeying godless laws enacted by a corrupt government (cf. Daniel 3:4-6). Without faith, we end up doing whatever is necessary to please the person or entity that we believe has the highest authority over us.
In addition to this, there are also those who “[hold] to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power” (2 Timothy 3:5). They make a show of religion, but without faith, it is not for the purpose of pleasing God. Instead, they act religious in order to gain some other benefit. Paul warned Timothy about “men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain” (1 Timothy 6:5). Those who use religion as a way of enriching themselves, rather than striving to humbly submit to the will of God, have a “form of godliness” that is void of true faith.
What Godliness Looks Like WITH Faith
Faith is the foundation, and “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Therefore, to add godliness to our faith, we must go to the word of God.
Godliness requires more than merely believing in God’s existence; we must fear God. The Hebrew writer declared, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). Recognizing the power of God and His ability to punish wickedness should lead us to offer service that is pleasing to Him. “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29).
However, merely fearing God does not mean we will display godliness. After all, “the demons also believe, and shudder” (James 2:19), and no one would argue that demons exhibit godliness. They fear God because they know He will punish them for their wickedness (cf. Matthew 8:28-29). Our fear of God must result in obedience. The wise man wrote, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Peter acknowledged this same truth when he spoke to the household of Cornelius: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him” (Acts 10:34-35).
Having godliness rooted in faith will also cause us to look forward to the return of Christ. Peter wrote, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (2 Peter 3:10-11). Knowing that Christ will return in judgment, how should we conduct ourselves? In godliness. Peter continued, “Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless” (2 Peter 3:14). Christians can look forward to the return of Christ as we practice godliness, holding to a reverent fear of God that leads to obedience.
Ultimately, godliness leads to eternal life. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul compared this to physical exercise: “For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). Honoring God and obeying Him because of who He is, is the sure path to eternal life.
How to Add Godliness to Our Faith
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Therefore, to add godliness to our faith, we must go to the Scriptures.
We have to start with a knowledge of the truth, which is one of the characteristics we have already discussed. When Paul introduced himself in his letter to Titus, he described himself as “a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness” (Titus 1:1). Knowledge of the truth is tied to our respect for God (godliness). Truth is found in the Scriptures, as Jesus identified in His prayer before His death: “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Therefore, to grow in godliness, we must know the word. It contains “everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us…” (2 Peter 1:3).
We then need to make sure we are following the true gospel that “[conforms] to godliness” and not “a different doctrine” (1 Timothy 6:3). Paul warned about what happens when we change the gospel, or accept the message of one who has changed it: “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!” (Galatians 1:6-9). Changing the gospel results in us departing from Christ and being accursed. Therefore, to maintain godliness, we need to follow the pure, unadulterated message preached by the apostles, who acted as “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Once we recognize the message that has truly come from God, we need to discipline ourselves to practice godliness. Paul told Timothy, “But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). This is the idea of exercising self-control, which is another characteristic we have studied already. Not only must we know what is right, but we also need to keep from doing wrong. The message of the gospel instructs us “to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:12).
Finally, practicing godliness means striving to be like God in all things. We do this by following the example of Christ, who showed us the Father through His perfect life (cf. John 1:18; 14:9). Peter spoke of the example of Christ in his first epistle: “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:21-22). While on earth, Jesus could say, “I always do the things that are pleasing to [the Father]” (John 8:29). We need to strive our best to do the same.
Conclusion
We must have faith if we want to please God and be saved, but “faith alone” (James 2:24) will not save us. A stagnant faith is not pleasing to God, which is why Peter gave instructions about what we must add to it. As we strive to grow in our faith, we must develop a reverent attitude toward God that leads us to obey Him.
