by Bill Klimek
First let me say that this will not be an exhaustive study of this subject matter, but only a sampling of this subject to encourage you to do your own indepth study of words and their meanings, so that it is possible to rightly divide the word of truth.
There are numerous incidences of the use of four specific English words in the English translations of the New Covenant / Testament that are of a mysterious origin and often mistranslated from the Greek texts. The four words we are looking for are 'godly' when translated from 'eusebos'; 'ungodly' from 'asebos'; 'godliness' from 'eusebia'; and 'ungodliness' from 'asebia'.
The concept of Sabbath keeping was not a part of the Greek culture. There was never a Greek concept of Sabbath observance.Greeks transliterated the word 'Sabbath' as 'sabbaton' or any of several other variant spellings, each with their own grammatical distinctions. The Hebrew word /concept was rendered into a Greek near sound-alike word, not a translation into an existing Greek word:No such word ever existed.
In 1st Timothy 1:4 we see that the word 'godly' comes from the Greek word 'theos' or should I say, whenever you see the Greek word 'theos' it means 'god', 'godly' etc. There are also many other instances throughout scriptures where the English word 'godly' is tranaslated from [ Strongs' # 2153] 'eusebos' {yoo-seb-oce'}, but the Greeks had no concept of Sabbath keeping. This word has been loosely translated into English to mean 'pious' or 'godly'. However, look at the root word in 'eusebos'. It has been highlighted for easy identification of the root. 'Seb or 'Sab' is the root of the word communicating the concept of Sabbath. 'Theos' means 'god'; 'Seb' means 'Sabbath'. You won't find this well documented however, as it has literally been stricken from virtually all the commonly available bible reference books. It has been cleverly mistranslated and disguised for many centuries to hide the truth about the significance and importance of Sabbath-keeping, and the consequences of Sabbath-breaking, in the New Covenant Scriptures.
Let's go through the whole book of 1st Timothy and see if this message has been hidden from truth-seekers in the King James Version. [Note: This writer believes that the KJV with its many problems, is still the best English version available, but by no means is it perfect, nor is it without demonstrable error.] I'm sure there will be many scoffers, but truth-seekers will see the light of the Sabbath truth vividly portrayed throughout the whole context of this book. In brackets, I will put the Greek word so we can see if it is derived from 'theos' or from the root word 'seb'. If the word come from 'theos' I will leave it without further explanation. If it is derived from the root 'seb' I will restore the Sabbath concept to the original intent of the Apostle Paul.
I TIMOTHY, CHAPTER 1 [King James Version]
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, [which is] our hope; 2 Unto Timothy, [my] own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, [and] peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly [theos] edifying which is in faith: [so do]. 5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and [of] a good conscience, and [of] faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. 8 But we know that the law [is] good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly[Sabbath breakers - asebes] and for sinners, for unholy and profane, or murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, [be] honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. 18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Now we have just seen Paul instruct Timothy concerning the Commandments of Yahweh on Sabbath-breaking, the violation of the 4th Commandment; euthenasia of fathers and mothers the diametric opposite of the 5th Commandment; manslaying, the violation of the 6th Commandment; adulterery, the violation of the 7th Commandment; kidnapping (manstealing), the violation of the 8th Commandment; perjury, the bearing of false testimony against the life of an innocent party which is the violation of the 9th Commandment; and anything else that would be contrary to sound doctrine, which includes covetousness, the violation of the 10th Commandment. Isn't the order interesting? The root word 'seb' was found where one might expect to find mention of the violation of the 4th commandment (verse 9). That is not to say that 'ungodly' is not an appropriately related idea to the concept of violation of the Sabbath, but that in context, 'Sabbath-breaking' is the intended meaning originally given by Paul and suppressed in the KJV, and all other subsequent English-version translations! Let's continue with Chapter 2.
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness[Sabbath keeping - eusebeia] and honesty. 3 For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, [and] lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness [theosebeia - godly Sabbath keeping] ) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
Here in Chapter 2 we came across a very interesting Greek word, 'theosebeia'. We have already seen that 'theo' or 'theos' means 'godly', or 'god', but this word would be translated as 'god-godly' if one were consistent with the translator's practice of rendering both these roots with the exact same meaning. Verse10 says "But which becometh women professing 'god-god' or 'god-godly' with good works." It doesn't make sense that way, does it? And the translators of this verse again performed their deft sleight of hand with the false pen of the scribe working falsehood (see Jeremiah 8:8). Beware of the (modern) Scribes! This verse should have read 'But which becometh women professing (true) Sabbath keeping to Elohim' [and] with good works."
A Jewish woman who is modest, sober, not puffed up or on display and knowing her place in Yahweh's plan would be doing the good works of keeping all Yahweh's Commandments, especially and emphatically, keeping the Sabbath.
Chapter 3
1 This [is] a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the called out of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 Likewise [must] the deacons [be] grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being [found] blameless. 11 Even so [must their] wives [be] grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great oldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness[Sabbath keeping - eusebia]: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Very interesting! 'The mystery of godliness' is directly related to Sabbath keeping; but you would never know it from reading the KJV! How are these to related? One must stop doing one's own thing, one's own works to enter into the rest of the spirit. One must also stop working on the Sabbath Eve when the night comes in which no man can work. Just as there are seven days in the week, and the Sabbath is the seventh day, even so there have been six thousand years since the fall of Adam. Now we are preparing for the second coming of Yeshua who will set up his kingdom on the earth for another thousand years, the Sabbath millenium. The mystery of Sabbath keeping therefore, is to experience kingdom life in THIS age through the cessation of doing one's own works and entering into life in Messiah (Christ; meaning 'the anointing'; which is the express person of Yahushua, manifested in the life of a true believing individual) now. This understanding has been nearly eradicated in the translating of the original New Covenant scriptures into the English language. The latter day 'church' has changed Yahweh's commandment to keep Sabbath, into observing worship on another day, 'sun'day. Through blindly following the Babylonian tradition of sun worship, the modern 'church' is doing their own thing and not resting in the completed work of Yeshua, the true Jewish Messiah of the scriptures, who obeyed His Father by letting his own dead flesh rest in the grave on the weekly Sabbath, according to the commandment; see Luke 23:56. Contrary to the false tradition of a 'Sun'day resurrection that they base their error upon, the scriptures teach that the true gospel proclaims that Yeshua rose from the dead on THE THIRD DAY OF THE WEEK, 1st Cor. 15: 3-4; Not on a 'Sun' day!
The mystery of Sabbath keeping show us that the commandment to ceaseand to desist from doing one's own work on the Sabbath, one day each week, the day HE chooses, not the day of our choosing, contains the secret for access into life in the kingdom age:STOP DOING YOUR OWN WORKS BY TRUSTING IN THE COMPLETED WORK OF YESHUA! Yahweh's Fourth commandment is a cease and desist order, not a request or a suggestion.
I Timothy Chapter 4:
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, [and commanding] to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God [is] good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself [rather] unto godliness [Sabbath Keeping - eusebia] 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness [Sabbath Keeping - eusebia] is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9 This [is] a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach. 12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
[Click here for a separate study of I Timothy 4:3-6.]
In verses7 and 8, you will see that Sabbath- keeping is 'godliness' as we understand the word in English, however we were never allowed, nor were we ever taught to see the two ideas put together as they were originally intended. Understand the truth that obeying the Sabbath of Yahweh "is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." Verse11, "These things command and teach"! A-men!
I Timothy Chapter 5
1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat [him] as a father; [and] the younger men as brethren; 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. 3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety[keep Sabbath - eusebeo] at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. 11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And withal they learn [to be] idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some are already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed. 17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer [is] worthy of his reward. 19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 21 I charge [thee] before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. 22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities. 24 Some en's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some [men] they follow after. 25 Likewise also the good works [of some] are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
In Chapter 5, verse 4, the word 'eusebos' has been translated 'piety' resulting in the denial of the teaching that Sabbath keeping should first be learned at home. This is the most egregious offense to the Jewish women who were among the first believers in Yahushua. Sabbath keeping in the home, for Jewish women, is an institution enduring for more than three thousand years and by a stroke of the translator's pens, the Jewish roots and practices of the first recipients of the original, TRUE gospel, have been severed from the English versions of the New Covenant scriptures for the last five hundred years! Not only has this deliberate abuse of privilege prevented many Jews from giving any crediblity to Christianity at large, calling it a false religion because of 'christian' Sabbath rejection, and rightly so, but also from coming to a saving knowledge of the true Messiah. It has further enslaved many a christian to a form of religion that did not profit them at all through observing the empty tradition of their fathers; nor did 'the church' accomplish any deliverance in the earth.