Bible Dictionary
DEVOUT
Devout describes a person who is pious, reverent, and dutiful toward God. In the New Testament it is applied to Simeon, Cornelius, Ananias, and religious Gentiles or proselytes.
Definition
Devout describes a person who is pious, dutiful, reverent, and devoted in relation to God. In Luke and Acts it is applied to individuals and groups associated with reverent worship, Judaism, or the reception of the gospel.
Biblical Usage
The term describes Simeon, Cornelius, and Ananias, as well as devout proselytes, devout women, devout Greeks, and devout persons. Some of these were proselytes or Gentiles who attended synagogue worship and honored God.
Historical Background
The relevant Greek terms express piety, dutifulness, and reverence. The source distinguishes proselytes of Judaism and, in some contexts, Gentiles by birth who attended synagogue services and worshiped God.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>de-vout' (eulabes, eusebes, sebomai, "pious," "dutiful," "reverential"): The word is peculiar to Luke. Applied to Simeon (Lu 2:25), Cornelius (Ac 10:2,7), Ananias (Ac 22:12). "Devout proselytes" (Ac 13:43, the King James Version "religious proselytes"), with possible reference to the proselytes of righteousness as distinguished from the proselytes of the gate (see PROSELYTE). "Devout women of honorable estate" (Ac 13:50), proselytes to Judaism and wives of the men in high position among the heathen (see Josephus, BJ, II, xx, 2). "Devout Greeks" (Ac 17:4), probably, though not necessarily, proselytes of the gate, heathen by birth, who attended the synagogue services and worshipped God. "Devout persons" (Ac 17:17), proselytes of the gate.</p><p>M. O. Evans</p>