Piety

In classical Greek, this word was used to mean “respect, fear, devotion” in relation to parents or pagan deities ( 1Tim. 5: 4 , Act. 17:23 ). In the Bible, it is used in a much narrower sense of "God-fearing." Accordingly, the emphasis in interpreting this word in the biblical context should be done not on external actions or prescriptions by which a person can deserve the favor of God, but on the inner state of God's fear, constant awareness of the priority of God's will in the life of a believer, which determines the Christian’s actions.

Practice yourself in piety, for the bodily exercise is of little use, and piety is useful for everything, having the promise of life present and future.

- 1 Tim. 4: 7-8

In ancient Greek mythology, when Zeus decided to destroy people by the flood, he allowed to save for piety to the spouses Devkalionu and Pyrrhus ^[1] .

• It is an immutable requirement for a bishop or a presbyter ( Titus 1: 8 ).
• It is empty and fruitless if it is not expressed in a righteous life ( James 1:26 ).
• It is the result of God's grace in believers ( Titus 2: 11-12 ; 2 Pet. 1: 3 ).
• It is a great gain, a real value for man ( 1 Tim. 6: 6 ).
• It is not a guarantee of carnal well-being ( 1 Tim. 6: 5 ).
• It is expressed in showing love and mercy to the suffering and keeping yourself unspotted from the world ( James 1:27 ).

According to the words of the Apostle Peter, piety follows patience ( 2 Peter . 1: 6 ). Patience, as a passive virtue, finds himself not involved in evil. With this, the words of the Apostle James are consonant, that if you do not curb your tongue, then this is empty piety ( James 1:26 ).

Pure piety, as the Apostle Jacob writes, is to contemplate orphans and widows. This is already an active form of virtue, i.e. doing good ( James 1:27 ). The apostle Peter says that in piety we must show brotherly love ( 2 Peter 1: 7 ). Brotherly love means not only to say: “Go in peace, be heated and eat,” but give “the necessities” ( James 2:16 ).

How from His Divine power is given us all that is necessary for life and piety, through the knowledge of He who called us to glory and goodness, which gave us great and precious promises, so that through them you might become partakers of the divine nature, moving away from the lustfulness prevailing in the world of lust: applying to this all effort, show virtue in your faith, prudence in virtue, temperance in prudence, patience in temperance, piety in patience, fraternity in piety, love in fraternity. If it is in you and multiplied, then you will not be left without success and fruit in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

- 2Pet. 1: 3-8

The basis of piety is a clear, immaculate adherence to the Bible's instructions (primarily in the New Testament) about the character of the Christian.

Supporting instructions on godly leading oneself through life can be extracted from the Sermon on the Mount of Jesus Christ and the Epistles of the Apostles to various Churches and individual Christians.

Character

In the character of a Christian should prevail:

• Sincere love for God, for himself and for his neighbor, as well as for all of His creation. Charity
• Poverty of the spirit (honoring oneself for the smallness and exaltation of God, total hope and reliance only on Him One, and not on himself, other people or anything else)
• Regret and contrition about our faults, weaknesses, the decline of morals, as a result of us being separated from God and His plan for us.
• Meekness (to understand, as self-control, firmness of mind, restraint, in combination with gentleness, gentleness of character, easy recency).
• Truth (honesty and sincerity), prudence (the ability to distinguish good deeds, words and thoughts from evil)
• Graciousness (benevolence, beneficence; the desire to bestow more than would be fair). Sensitivity, compassion, altruistic.
• The ability to reconcile with others (forgive and ask others for forgiveness, repent). Participation in the reconciliation of others.
• Keeping a clear conscience (obedience to the commandments, ordinances and vows of these vows) and striving for its conscience-perfection.
• Perseverance in truth and patience in enduring trials and persecutions ("The courage in the mournful visitation"). Relentlessness before any lie.
• A bold and open confession of faith in God and carrying the Light of faith in Him to others.
• Hearing the Word of God and the desire to live only by the fulfillment of His Will.

Appearance

In Christianity, the appearance (clothing, hairstyle, jewelry) can be seen as an expression of the inner qualities of the Christian - character, value system. Without setting specific strict requirements for appearance, Christianity draws attention to the principles according to which Christians are called to take care of their appearance. These principles include:

• modesty ;
• humility , meekness ;
• observance of the standards of decency of society (cultural norms);
• avoid temptations .

In accordance with these principles, the appearance of a Christian is desirable:

• Modesty in clothes (not rich clothes and not trendy),
• The absence of elements emphasizing high social status or material wealth
• Clothing should not be causing lustful thoughts and carnal desires of the opposite sex.

There are some disagreements between liberal and conservative Christians regarding some issues regarding appearance. According to Christians who hold conservative views in matters of clothing, all parts of the body (except the head, hands, feet) should be covered with clothes (the less clothes, the less modest appearance). Therefore, mini-skirts and shorts are unacceptable for them, some of them believe that it is unacceptable for women to wear jeans and pants.

Achieving Piety

According to Christians, a person cannot become completely pious, (out of a person’s natural inclination to sin). However, a Christian is called upon to exert maximum effort to achieve piety.

A pious person can become only with the help of God, sincerely desiring it and asking Him about it in prayer.

... of course, the Lord knows how to deliver the pious from temptation ...

- 2Pet. 2: 9

Attitudes of other people

In the New Testament, it is revealed that people who want to fulfill the Will of God, being pious, will surely meet opponents in the person of non-believers, or people who have renounced the power of piety.

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil people and deceivers will succeed in evil, misleading and deceiving.

- 2 Tim. 3: 12-13

In practice, it is known that people who live very correctly and rationally, by their righteous deeds “interfere with life,” those who live more freely and have no such desire.

Man's inclination to sin

According to Christian beliefs, a man (even a Christian ) is by nature a sinner (a consequence of original sin ), and various bad qualities are constantly manifested in his life. A pious person seeks to get rid of them, outliving them from his character and asking God for it in prayer. These qualities, for example, include:

• foul language

If any one of you thinks that he is pious, and does not curb his tongue, but deceives his heart, he has an empty piety.

- Jak. 1:26

• Simeon ( Luke 2:25 )
• Cornelius ( Acts 10: 2 )
• Ananias ( Acts 22:12 - with the proviso “pious by the law”)

• Pietism

• Archim. Plato (Igumnov). Piety // Orthodox encyclopedia . - M .: Church Research Center "Orthodox Encyclopedia" , 2002. - V. V. - p. 334-338. - 752 s. - 39 000 copies - ISBN 5-89572-010-2 .
• Piety // Orthodox Theological Encyclopedia. Volume 2. Edition of Petrograd. Supplement to the spiritual journal "Wanderer" for 1901
• Definition in the Vihlyantsev Bible Dictionary
• Thomas Aquinas . The sum of theology . P3 QUESTION 101. ON PROFESSIONALITY ( de pietate )