See Definition for yeosebhv 2318
See Definition for eusebhv 2152
See Definition for eulabhv 2126
See Definition for yrhskov 2357
See Definition for deisidaimwn 1175
yeosebhv, according to derivation and usage, means worship of God
(or of the gods), a fulfillment of one's duty towards God. It is a
general term, meaning religious in a good sense.
eusebhv is distinguished from yeosebhv in two ways. It is used
to include the fulfillment of obligations of all kinds, both towards
God and man. It is thus applied to the fulfillment of the duties
involved in human relations, as towards one's parents. Furthermore,
when used in the higher sense, it means not any kind of worship, but,
as the etymology indicates, the worshipping of God aright.
eulabhv meaning originally careful in handling, in its
religious application means careful in handling divine things. It
characterizes the anxious and scrupulous worshipper, careful not to
change anything that should be observed in worship, and fearful of
offending. It means devout, and may be applied to an adherent of
any religion, being especially appropriate to describe the best of the
Jewish worshippers.
yrhkov is one who is diligent in the performance of the outward
service of God. It applies especially to ceremonial worship.
deisidaimwn, in accordance with its derivation, makes prominent
the element of fear. It emphasizes strongly the ideas of dependence
and of anxiety for divine favor. It may be used as practically
equivalent to yeosebhv. Often, however, it implies that the fear
which it makes prominent is an unworthy fear, so that it comes to have
the meaning superstitious. In the N.T. it is used, as is also the
noun deisidaimonia, in a purposely neutral sense, meaning simply
religious, neither conveying the highest meaning, nor plainly imply-
ing a lower meaning.
