Wholeness

Listen to 1 Timothy Chapter 3
or read "Elders and Deacons"

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
Most of the translations of the bible use the word "godliness" in this verse. Some others use the words "piety", "faith", or "religion". Given the varied English words used, the original Greek word must have been a tough word to understand and translate into English. It is helpful to look at the meaning of the original word to more fully understand the meaning of this word godliness. Godliness is not an everyday word and perhaps a little vague, strange, or misunderstood in today's culture. The root words of the original Greek word used here have a meaning of "well" and "to be devout". The classic reference book Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says the word Godliness "denotes that piety which, characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to Him." Piety means devotion and reverence to God. William Barclay says that the word in Greek means, "a consciousness of what is due both God and man" or as Ray Steadman puts it "living in such a way that you are aware of what life requires of you." In the root and makeup of this word in Greek that has been translated 'godliness' there is a sense of wellness and wholeness. Completeness.

Ray Steadman gave a message where he said godliness "means balanced wholeness -- spirit, soul and body being kept in good health."

He went on to say the following about godliness.

... a renewed mind that views life the way God sees it because that is the way life really is; emotions that are brought under control so that they do not keep you off balance all the time, so subject to moods that no one knows whether you are going to be in a good or a had mood: and, above all, a spirit that is in touch with the living God, that is not merely living for the visible things of life, but sees a relationship with God himself as the most important factor in life. That is godliness, balanced wholeness."
In another of his messages Ray Steadman pointed out one of humankind's deepest longings.

Every human being in this world wants to be a whole person, wants to "get it all together," we say. We want to find all the elements possible within ourselves and put them together so they function properly, and we become whole persons. The secret of wholeness -- that is what Paul is talking about: "Great indeed is the revelation of the secret of wholeness."
Simply put, Christ is the missing piece in life, he is the key to wholeness, to living a balanced and complete life, focused on God.

1 comments:

  1. jc14all says

    Brad, you summed up the meaning of the word godliness accurately and not much seems necessary to add to what you have already explained.

    According to Strong's godliness is defined as: reverence toward God which confirms your findings.

    I did have some curiosity of the meanings of the suffix's and this is what I found.

    (li, ly) is usually in adverb form with the meaning: like.

    (ness) is usually in adjective/noun form with the meaning: the state of.

    Also, in Strong's there was a close similarity of godliness to the word holiness.

    My conclusion is that both words brings mankind close to the nature of God by becoming one with God through His indwelling Spirit which transforms us into the likeness Christ Jesus our Lord.

    I love your blogs brother. They are like draw fresh cool water from a deep well. Continue blessing us with your gift as you are blessed from above. Grace and peace to you Brad and thanks for the good reading.