It is an interesting fact that the words βgodlyβ and βgodlinessβ are not found in Paulβs writings until we come to the Pastoral Epistles, the very epistles that have so much to say about evil days and evil surroundings.
In the epistles to Timothy we read about the βperilous timesβ with which this present dispensation of grace will be brought to a close, while in the letter to Titus we read of βunruly and vain talkers and deceivers,β (Ti. 1:10) of βliarsβ¦ evil beastsβ¦ lazy gluttons,β (Ti. 1:12) whom Satan would use to neutralize the work and witness of Godβs servants.
To Timothy and Titus, these young men of God, the Apostle had much to say about godliness, and we must not forget that Paulβs words to them are also Godβs Word to us, believers in Christ, who indeed appear to be living in the closing days of the dispensation of grace, surrounded by a steadily-rising tide of evil and an ever-growing number of wicked, godless men.
We do not mean to imply that the Apostle does not deal with the various phases of the Christian life in his other epistles, but rather that here in the Pastoral Epistles he wages a sort of campaign for individual godly living in the midst of increasing apostasy and godlessness.
May God help us, in our character and conduct, to exhibit βthe power of godliness,β the spiritual power that comes from putting Christ first in all things. source
