Quote:
Originally Posted by Pressing-On
I read this quote and wondered if anyone had anything to confirm this definition? I haven’t seen it defined in this way anywhere else. Obviously, I don’t have Schaffs Commentary.
“The Greek word which is translated "godliness" is not the
same word which is usually used to convey the concept of
"godliness." Rather, it is a totally different word with a more far-
reaching definition. According to Philip Schaffs Popular
Commentary on the New Testament, "the word 'godliness'
is taken [to mean] the religion which men profess.?”
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I don’t have anything to confirm it but it does seem to be the case. I will say that it is not a scriptural definition, in my opinion.
Just my knee jerk reaction would be it is the definition that the Pharisees would portray in the scripture below . . .
Matt.23
[27] Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
In other words, godliness is a manifestation of Godly attributes, religion is mostly men’s exhibition of what is acceptable (by men) as godliness. For example, attending church is often misconstrued as godliness, when it would be more accurately defined as a religious exercise, which may not have anything to do with true godliness. That’s my general thoughts on the matter.
It’s a good question.