Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. New Living Translation Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. English Standard Version Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; Berean Standard Bible But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness. Berean Literal Bible But refuse profane and silly fables. Rather, train yourself to godliness. King James Bible But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. New King James Version But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. New American Standard Bible But stay away from worthless stories that are typical of old women. Rather, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; NASB 1995 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; NASB 1977 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; Legacy Standard Bible But refuse godless myths fit only for old women. On the other hand, train yourself for the purpose of godliness, Amplified Bible But have nothing to do with irreverent folklore and silly myths. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness [keeping yourself spiritually fit]. Christian Standard Bible But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness. Holman Christian Standard Bible But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness, American Standard Version but refuse profane and old wives' fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness: Contemporary English Version Don't have anything to do with worthless, senseless stories. Work hard to be truly religious. English Revised Version but refuse profane and old wives' fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness: GOD'S WORD® Translation Don't have anything to do with godless myths that old women like to tell. Rather, train yourself to live a godly life. Good News Translation But keep away from those godless legends, which are not worth telling. Keep yourself in training for a godly life. International Standard Version Do not have anything to do with godless myths and fables of old women. Instead, train yourself to be godly. Majority Standard Bible But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness. NET Bible But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness. New Heart English Bible But refuse profane and old wives' tales. Exercise yourself toward godliness. Webster's Bible Translation But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather to godliness. Weymouth New Testament But worldly stories, fit only for credulous old women, have nothing to do with. World English Bible But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionbut reject the profane and old women’s fables, and exercise yourself to piety, Berean Literal Bible But refuse profane and silly fables. Rather, train yourself to godliness. Young's Literal Translation and the profane and old women's fables reject thou, and exercise thyself unto piety, Smith's Literal Translation And profane and old women's fictions reject, and exercise thyself in devotion. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut avoid foolish and old wives' fables: and exercise thyself unto godliness. Catholic Public Domain Version But avoid the silly fables of old women. And exercise yourself so as to advance in piety. New American Bible Avoid profane and silly myths. Train yourself for devotion, New Revised Standard Version Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleRefuse foolish and old wives fables, and train yourself in righteousness. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But abstain from insipid fables of old women and train yourself in righteousness; NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut reject those profane and old-womanish fables, and exercise yourself for godliness. Godbey New Testament but reject the unsanctified and silly stories: but exercise yourself unto godliness. Haweis New Testament But profane and antiquated fables reject, but exercise thyself unto godliness. Mace New Testament as for prophane and groundless fables, reject them. Weymouth New Testament But worldly stories, fit only for credulous old women, have nothing to do with. Worrell New Testament but refuse the profane and old wives fables, and exercise yourself unto godliness; Worsley New Testament But profane and groundless fables reject, and exercise thyself unto godliness. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A Good Minister of Jesus Christ6By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed. 7But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness. 8For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.… Cross References 2 Timothy 2:16 But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness, Titus 1:14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth. 1 Timothy 1:4 or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith. 2 Timothy 4:4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless. 1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,” 2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ. Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them. 1 Corinthians 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable. 1 Corinthians 6:12 “Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything. 2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these! 1 Corinthians 9:27 No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding. Treasury of Scripture But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself rather to godliness. refuse. 1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 2 Timothy 2:16,23 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness… exercise. 1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 1 Timothy 2:10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: 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. Jump to Previous Avoid Discipline Exercise Fables Fit Godless Godliness Hand Myths Piety Profane Purpose Rather Refuse Reject Religion Silly Stories Thyself Train Training Unclean Wives Women Women's WorldlyJump to Next Avoid Discipline Exercise Fables Fit Godless Godliness Hand Myths Piety Profane Purpose Rather Refuse Reject Religion Silly Stories Thyself Train Training Unclean Wives Women Women's Worldly1 Timothy 4 1. He foretells that in the latter times there shall be a departure from the faith.6. And to the end that Timothy might not fail in doing his duty, he furnishes him with various precepts. But reject irreverent, silly myths. This phrase emphasizes the importance of discernment in spiritual matters. In the context of the early church, false teachings and myths were prevalent, often rooted in pagan traditions or Jewish folklore. The apostle Paul warns Timothy to avoid these distractions, which can lead believers away from the truth of the Gospel. This echoes the warnings found in other scriptures, such as 2 Timothy 4:4, where people turn away from the truth to myths. The term "irreverent" suggests a lack of respect for the sacred, while "silly" implies foolishness or lack of substance. This instruction is relevant today as believers are encouraged to focus on sound doctrine and avoid teachings that do not align with biblical truth. Instead, train yourself for godliness. Persons / Places / Events 1. PaulThe apostle who authored the letter to Timothy, providing guidance and instruction for church leadership and personal conduct. 2. Timothy A young pastor and protégé of Paul, serving in Ephesus, who is the recipient of this letter. 3. Ephesus The city where Timothy was ministering, known for its diverse culture and religious practices, including the worship of Artemis. 4. False Teachers Individuals spreading myths and false doctrines within the church, which Paul warns Timothy to reject. 5. Godliness The state of being devoutly religious and morally upright, which Paul encourages Timothy to pursue through spiritual discipline. Teaching Points Rejecting FalsehoodsChristians are called to discern and reject teachings that are not rooted in Scripture. This requires a deep understanding of biblical truth. Pursuing Godliness Spiritual growth requires intentional effort and discipline, much like physical training. Believers should prioritize practices that foster godliness, such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. The Role of Scripture The Bible is the primary tool for training in godliness. Regular engagement with Scripture equips believers to discern truth from falsehood. The Importance of Discernment In a world filled with competing ideologies, Christians must develop discernment to navigate cultural myths and remain steadfast in their faith. Spiritual Discipline Just as athletes train their bodies, Christians must train their spirits through consistent spiritual disciplines, leading to a life that reflects Christ's character.(7) But refuse profane and old wives' fables.--Here Timothy--who has been previously (see 1Timothy 4:1-6) warned against a false asceticism, against putting an unnatural interpretation on the words of Christ, against sympathising with a teaching which would unfit men and women for practical every-day life--is now urged to guard himself against the temptation to give himself up to the favourite and apparently enticing study of the sayings of the famous Jewish Rabbis, in which every book, almost every word--in many cases the letters of the Hebrew Scriptures--were subjected to a keen but profitless investigation. In such study the spirit of the holy writers was too often lost, and only a dry and barren formalism--commands respecting the tithing of mint, and anise, and cummin--remained, while the weightier matters of the law--judgment, justice, and truth--were carefully sifted out. Round the grand old Jewish history all kind of mythical legends grew up, till for a Jewish student of the Rabbinical schools the separation of the true from the false became in many cases impossible--through all this elaborate and careful but almost profitless study. The minister of Christ was to avoid these strange and unusual interpretations, this vast fantastic collection of legends, partly true and partly false. He was to regard them as merely profane and old wives' fables, as being perfectly useless and even harmful in their bearing on practical every-day life. And exercise thyself rather unto godliness.--Instead of these weary profitless efforts--the painful, useless asceticism on the one hand, and the endless and barren Rabbinic studies of the Law on the other--Timothy, as a good minister of Jesus Christ, was to bestow all his pains and labour to promote an active, healthy, practical piety among the congregation of believers, as we have seen in 1Timothy 4:6, in the words, "ever training thyself." To lead such a life required ceaseless pains and efforts, for true godliness is ever a progressive state. Surely exercising himself unto godliness would be a task hard enough to satisfy the most ardent, the most enthusiastic soul! The "godliness," or "piety," here alluded to, as the end toward which Timothy was to direct all his efforts, was that practical piety which influences for good, which leavens with a holy leaven all classes of society, all life, of the slave as well as of the patrician. Verse 7. - Unto godliness for rather unto godliness, A.V. The R.V., by putting a full stop after "fables," disturbs the natural flow of the thought. The two imperatives παραιτοῦ and γύμναζε connect and contrast the thoughts in the two clauses of the verse, as the A.V. indicates by the insertion of "rather." Profane (βεβήλους; 1 Timothy 1:9, note) Old wives' (γράωδεις); only here in the New Testament; not used in LXX.; rare in classical Greek. Exercise thyself unto godliness (γύμναζε σευτόν). The verb γυμνάζειν occurs in the New Testament only in this place, twice in the Epistle to the Hebrews (Hebrews 5:14; 12:11), and once in 2 Peter (2 Peter 2:14). In the LXX. it occurs only once (2 Macc. 10:15), but is common in classical Greek. The metaphor is drawn from training for gymnastic exercises. As regards the whole passage, it seems that there were current among the Jews at this time many "fables" (1 Timothy 1:4; 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:14; 2 Peter 1:16), childish legends and doctrines, some of them directed especially to enforcing certain rules about eating and drinking, and other "bodily exercises," which St. Paul utterly discountenances, and contrasts with that "good doctrine" which he directs Timothy continually to teach. This would account, naturally, for the introduction of the phrase, γύμναζε σεαυτόν.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Butδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. reject παραιτοῦ (paraitou) Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 3868: From para and the middle voice of aiteo; to beg off, i.e. Deprecate, decline, shun. irreverent βεβήλους (bebēlous) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 952: Permitted to be trodden, accessible. From the base of basis and belos; accessible, i.e. heathenish, wicked. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. silly γραώδεις (graōdeis) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 1126: Belonging to old women, such as old women tell. From graus and eidos; crone-like, i.e. Silly. myths. μύθους (mythous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 3454: An idle tale, fable, fanciful story. Perhaps from the same as mueo; a tale, i.e. Fiction. Instead, δὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. train γύμναζε (gymnaze) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular Strong's 1128: To train by physical exercise; hence: train, in the widest sense. From gumnos; to practise naked, i.e. Train. yourself σεαυτὸν (seauton) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 2nd Person Singular Strong's 4572: Of yourself. for πρὸς (pros) Preposition Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. godliness. εὐσέβειαν (eusebeian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 2150: Piety (towards God), godliness, devotion, godliness. From eusebes; piety; specially, the gospel scheme. Links 1 Timothy 4:7 NIV1 Timothy 4:7 NLT 1 Timothy 4:7 ESV 1 Timothy 4:7 NASB 1 Timothy 4:7 KJV 1 Timothy 4:7 BibleApps.com 1 Timothy 4:7 Biblia Paralela 1 Timothy 4:7 Chinese Bible 1 Timothy 4:7 French Bible 1 Timothy 4:7 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 1 Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm) |
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