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1 Timothy 4:7

1 Timothy 4:7 in Multiple Translations

But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.

But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

but refuse profane and old wives’ fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness:

But have nothing to do with unclean and foolish stories. Give yourself training in religion:

Reject what is irreligious, and old wives' tales. Make sure your exercise is spiritual—

But cast away prophane, and olde wiues fables, and exercise thy selfe vnto godlinesse.

and the profane and old women's fables reject thou, and exercise thyself unto piety,

But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness.

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather to godliness.

But avoid foolish and old wives’ fables: and exercise thyself unto godliness.

You must completely reject godless, silly/foolish stories from your ancestors that old people tell. Keep training yourself so that you have more ◄godly behavior/behavior that pleases God►.

Don’t take any notice of those silly stories that are not true, stories that lie about God. But instead, train yourself to respect God and take notice of him.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Timothy 4:7

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1 Timothy 4:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK τους δε βεβηλους και γραωδεις μυθους παραιτου γυμναζε δε σεαυτον προς ευσεβειαν
τους ho G3588 the/this/who Art-APM
δε de G1161 then Conj
βεβηλους bebēlos G952 profane Adj-APM
και kai G2532 and Conj
γραωδεις graōdēs G1126 old wives’ tale Adj-APM
μυθους muthos G3454 myth Noun-APM
παραιτου paraiteomai G3868 to refuse/excuse Verb-PNM-2S
γυμναζε gumnazō G1128 to train Verb-PAM-2S
δε de G1161 then Conj
σεαυτον seautou G4572 yourself F-2ASM
προς pros G4314 to/with Prep
ευσεβειαν eusebeia G2150 piety Noun-ASF
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Timothy 4:7

τους ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-APM
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
δε de G1161 "then" Conj
This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.
Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.
βεβηλους bebēlos G952 "profane" Adj-APM
Profane refers to something or someone that is unholy or wicked, like in 1 Timothy 1:9 where it describes people who are lawless.
Definition: βέβηλος, -ον (βαίνω, whence βηλός, a threshold), [in LXX chiefly for חֹל ;] __1. permitted to be trodden, accessible (see DCG, ii, 422b); hence, __2. (opposite to ἱερός) unhallowed, profane: of things, 1Ti.4:7 6:20, 2Ti.2:16; of men, 1Ti.1:9, Heb.12:16 (cf. κοινός; Cremer, 140).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5 NT verses. KJV: profane (person) See also: 1 Timothy 1:9; 1 Timothy 6:20; Hebrews 12:16.
και kai G2532 "and" Conj
And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.
Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.
γραωδεις graōdēs G1126 "old wives’ tale" Adj-APM
This term describes something as silly or foolish, like an old wives' tale. It appears in 1 Timothy 4:7, warning against myths and fables. The word is derived from the Greek word for an old woman.
Definition: γραώδης, -ες (γραῦς, an old woman, εἶδος), anile, old-womanish: 1Ti.4:7.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: old wives' See also: 1 Timothy 4:7.
μυθους muthos G3454 "myth" Noun-APM
A myth is a fictional story or tale. In 1 Timothy 1:4 and 4:7, Paul warns against myths and fables that distract from the truth. This term is often used to describe false or made-up stories.
Definition: μῦθος, -ου, ὁ [in LXX: Wis.17:4 A, Sir.20:19 * ;] __1. speech, con­versation. __2. (a) a story, narrative (Hom.); __(b) later, opposite to λόγος (a true narrative) = Lat. fabula, a myth, fable, fiction: 1Ti.1:4 4:7, 2Ti.4:4, Tit.1:14, 2Pe.1:16.† SYN.. λόγος, q.v (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5 NT verses. KJV: fable See also: 1 Timothy 1:4; 2 Peter 1:16; Titus 1:14.
παραιτου paraiteomai G3868 "to refuse/excuse" Verb-PNM-2S
To refuse or excuse oneself from something, like in 1 Timothy 4:7 where the apostle Paul tells Timothy to avoid foolish arguments. This word can also mean to deprecate or decline something.
Definition: παρ-αιτέομαι, -οῦμαι [in LXX for בָּקַשׁ pi., etc. ;] __1. to beg of or from another: Mrk.15:6 (Rec. ὅνπερ ᾐτοῦντο, see Field, Notes, 43). __2. to deprecate; __(a) prop., with neg., to entreat that not (Thuc., al.): Heb.12:19; __(b) to refuse, decline, avoid: o. accusative, 1Ti.4:7 5:11, 2Ti.2:23, Tit.3:10, Heb.12:25 (EV; but see Field, Notes, 234). __3. to beg off, ask to be excused, excuse (Polyb., al.) : Luk.14:18-19 (Heb.12:25, Field, l.with).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 9 NT verses. KJV: avoid, (make) excuse, intreat, refuse, reject See also: 1 Timothy 4:7; Hebrews 12:19; Hebrews 12:25.
γυμναζε gumnazō G1128 "to train" Verb-PAM-2S
This verb means to train or exercise, either physically or mentally. It appears in 1 Timothy 4:7 and Hebrews 5:14, emphasizing the importance of spiritual discipline and training.
Definition: γυμνάζω (γυμνός), [in LXX: 2Ma.10:15 * ;] __1. properly, to exercise naked. __2. Generally, to exercise, train the body or mind: 1Ti.4:7, Heb.5:14 12:11, 2Pe.2:14.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 4 NT verses. KJV: exercise See also: 1 Timothy 4:7; Hebrews 5:14; Hebrews 12:11.
δε de G1161 "then" Conj
This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.
Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.
σεαυτον seautou G4572 "yourself" F-2ASM
Yourself refers to a person's own actions or thoughts, like in Matthew 4:6 and John 8:13. It's about taking care of or thinking about oneself.
Definition: σεαυτοῦ, -ῆς, -οῦ (in NT not contracted, σαυτοῦ, as in Att..), reflex. prop. of 2nd of person(s) sing., used only in genitive, dative and accusative (of, to) thyself: Mat.4:6, Jhn.8:13, 1Ti.4:16, al. (In Hellenistic, the pl. is ἑαυτῶν (which see), not ὑμῶν αὐτῶν as in Attic, see Bl., § 13, 1.) † (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 40 NT verses. KJV: thee, thine own self, (thou) thy(-self) See also: 1 Timothy 4:7; Luke 5:14; James 2:8.
προς pros G4314 "to/with" Prep
A preposition showing direction or relationship, like towards or with something, as seen in Mark 5:11 and John 18:16. This means indicating movement or direction. It's about showing proximity or connection.
Definition: πρός, prep. with genitive, dative, accusative __I. I. C. genitive, of motion from a place, from the side of, hence metaphorically, in the interests of, Act.27:34 (cf. Page, in l.). __II. II. C. dative, of local proximity, hard by, near, at: Mrk.5:11, Luk.19:37, Jhn.18:16 20:11, 12 Rev.1:13. __III. C. accusative, of motion or direction towards a place or object, to, towards. __1. Of place, __(a) after verbs of motion or of speaking and other words with the idea of direction: ἔρχομαι, ἀναβαίνω, πορεύομαι, λέγω, ἐπιστολή, etc., Mat.3:14, Mrk.6:51, Luk.11:5, Jhn.2:3, Act.9:2, al. mult.; metaphorically, of mental direction, hostile or otherwise, Luk.23:12, Jhn.6:52, 2Co.7:4, Eph.6:12, Col.3:13, al.; of the issue or end, Luk.14:32, Jhn.11:4, al.; of purpose, Mat.26:12, Rom.3:26, 1Co.6:5, al.; πρὸς τό, with inf., denoting purpose (cf. M, Pr., 218, 220; Lft., Notes, 131), Mat.5:28, Mrk.13:22, Eph.6:11, 1Th.2:9, al.; __(b) of close proximity, at, by, with: Mat.3:10, Mrk.11:4, Luk.4:11, Act.3:2, al.; after εἶναι, Mat.13:56, Mrk.6:3, Jhn.1:1, al. __2. 2. Of time, __(a) towards (Plat., Xen., LXX: Gen.8:11, al.): Luk.24:29; __(b) for: πρὸς καιρόν, Luk.8:13, 1Co.7:5; πρὸς ὥραν, Jhn.5:35, al.; πρὸς ὀλίγον, Jas.4:14. __3. Of relation __(a) toward, with: Rom.5:1, 2Co.1:12, Col.4:5, 1Th.4:12, al.; __(b) with regard to: Mat.19:8, Mrk.12:12, Rom.8:31, al.; __(with) pertaining to, to: Mat.27:4, Jhn.21:22, Rom.15:17, Heb.2:17 5:1; __(d) according to: Luk.12:47, 2Co.5:10, Gal.2:14, Eph.3:4 4:14; __(e) in comparison with: Rom.8:18. __IV. In composition: towards (προσέρχομαι), to (προσάγω), against (προσκόπτω), besides (προσδαπανάω) . (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 655 NT verses. KJV: about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 2:1; Acts 2:47; 1 Peter 2:4.
ευσεβειαν eusebeia G2150 "piety" Noun-ASF
Piety means showing respect and reverence to God and others, like parents. In the Bible, it appears in Acts 3:12 and 1 Timothy 2:2. It is about living a godly life.
Definition: εὐ-σέβεια, -ας, ἡ (εὐσεβής, which see), [in LXX: Pro.1:7, Isa.33:6 (יִרְאָה), Pro.13:11 (aliter in Heb.), Isa.11:2 (יְהוָֹה יִרְאָה), I Est.1:23, Wis.10:12, Sir.49:3, and very frequently in 4Mac ;] __1. piety, reverence (towards parents and others). __2. piety towards God, godliness: Act.3:12, 1Ti.2:2 4:7-8 6:5-6 6:11, 2Pe.1:3 1:6-7; τὸ τῆς εὐ. μυστήριον, 1Ti.3:16; ἡ κατ᾽ εὐ. διδασκαλία, 1Ti.6:3; ἡ ἀλήθεια ἡ κατ᾽ εὐ., Tit.1:1; μόρφωσις εὐσεβείας, 2Ti.3:5; pl. (see Bl., § 32, 6; Mayor on Jas.2:1), 2Pe.3:11 (on the use of εὐ. and cognates in Past. Epp., see CGT, on 1Ti.2:2; cf. also Cremer, 524).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 15 NT verses. KJV: godliness, holiness See also: 1 Timothy 2:2; 1 Timothy 6:11; Titus 1:1.

Study Notes — 1 Timothy 4:7

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 2 Timothy 2:16 But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
2 Titus 2:12 It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
3 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.
4 2 Peter 1:5–8 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5 Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
6 2 Timothy 2:23 But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
7 Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.
8 1 Timothy 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
9 Acts 24:16 In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
10 2 Timothy 4:4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

1 Timothy 4:7 Summary

[This verse is telling us to stop believing things that are not true and to focus on living a life that is pleasing to God. We can do this by reading the Bible, praying, and seeking guidance from other believers, as seen in Psalm 119:9-11 and 2 Timothy 2:2. By prioritizing godliness, we can live a life that is fulfilling and honoring to God, both now and in the future, as stated in Matthew 6:33 and 1 Corinthians 10:31.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the irreverent, silly myths that we should reject according to 1 Timothy 4:7?

These myths likely refer to false teachings and legends that were prevalent in the early Christian church, such as those mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:4 and Titus 1:14, which can lead people away from the truth of the Gospel, as warned in 2 Peter 2:1-3.

How can we train ourselves for godliness as instructed in 1 Timothy 4:7?

We can train ourselves for godliness by reading and applying Scripture, such as Psalm 119:9-11, praying, and seeking guidance from mature believers, as seen in 2 Timothy 2:2, and by being intentional about living out our faith in everyday life, as encouraged in Colossians 3:17.

What is the relationship between rejecting myths and training for godliness in 1 Timothy 4:7?

Rejecting irreverent myths is a necessary step in training for godliness, as it allows us to focus on the truth of God's Word, as stated in John 17:17, and to live a life that is pleasing to Him, as described in Romans 12:1-2.

Why is it important to prioritize godliness over other pursuits, as implied in 1 Timothy 4:7?

Prioritizing godliness is essential because it has value not only in this life but also in the life to come, as stated in 1 Timothy 4:8, and it enables us to live a life that is honoring to God and fulfilling for ourselves, as seen in Matthew 6:33 and 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some 'irreverent, silly myths' that I may be believing or giving attention to, and how can I reject them in favor of the truth of God's Word?
  2. In what ways can I 'train myself for godliness' this week, and what steps can I take to make this a consistent practice in my life?
  3. How does my pursuit of godliness impact my relationships with others, and what can I do to encourage others to prioritize godliness as well?
  4. What are some areas of my life where I am prioritizing physical or temporal things over spiritual growth, and how can I adjust my priorities to focus more on godliness?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Timothy 4:7

But refuse profane and old wives' fables,.... Either Jewish ones, the traditions of the elders; or those of the Gnostics, concerning God, angels, and the creation of the world; or those doctrines of

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Timothy 4:7

But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. Refuse - have nothing to do with (2 Timothy 2:22-23; Titus 3:10).

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Timothy 4:7

But refuse profane and old wives’ fables; all impertinent discourses, which tend nothing to promote either faith or holiness, which he disdainfully calls old wives’ fables, tales of a tub, as we say, discourses having no bottom in the word of God, are not fit for pulpits. And exercise thyself rather unto godliness; let thy constant study be things that may promote godliness, impart those things unto people, and live up to them in thy conversation.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Timothy 4:7

7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. Ver. 7. But refuse] Gr. παραιτου, make a fair excuse. Shift them off, set them by, say thou art not at leisure to attend to them, hast no time to lose upon them. Poteras has horas non perdidisse, said Pliny to his nephew, You might have found you somewhat else to do. Exercise thyself] Lay aside thine upper garments, as runners and wrestlers use to do, and bestir thee lustily, γυμναζε, Te nudum exerce. See Hebrews 12:1.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Timothy 4:7

(7) But refuse profane and old wives’ fables.—Here Timothy—who has been previously (see 1 Timothy 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 1 Timothy 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.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Timothy 4:7

Verse 7. But refuse profane and old wives' fables] This seems to refer particularly to the Jews, whose Talmudical writings are stuffed with the most ridiculous and profane fables that ever disgraced the human intellect. It may with equal propriety be applied to the legends of the Romish Church. Let any man read the Aurea Legenda, and he will find of profane and old wives' fables what may stand, with considerable propriety, column for column with the Talmud. See Joseline's Life of St. Patrick for miracles, without rhyme or reason, abundantly more numerous and more stupendous than all the necessary ones wrought by Jesus Christ and his apostles. This is enough to persuade a man that the Spirit of God had these very corruptions and this corrupt Church particularly in view. Exercise thyself rather unto godliness.] To understand this expression it is necessary to know that the apostle alludes here to the gymnastic exercises among the Greeks, which were intended as a preparation for, their contests at the public games. They did this in order to obtain a corruptible or fading crown, i. e, a chaplet of leaves, which was the reward of those who conquered in those games; Timothy was to exercise himself unto godliness, that he might be prepared for the kingdom of heaven, and there receive a crown that fadeth not away. See the notes on 1 Corinthians 9:24, &c.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Timothy 4:7

7. refuse profane and old wives’ fables] This clause Westcott and Hort connect by a comma with the preceding rather than the following sentence. Surely to connect so closely the future ‘thou shalt be’ and the imperative ‘refuse’ is an unnecessary awkwardness; R.V. taking the same general view of the connexion gives the colon before and the full stop after the clause. It is of less consequence as the subject is continuous either way. If the article with ‘fables’ points back to the ‘doctrines of devils’ and the ‘lies’ of 1 Timothy 4:1-2, yet the ‘godliness’ and the ‘hope in the living God who is the Saviour of all men’ point back also to the ‘truth’ and the ‘mystery’ of 1 Timothy 3:15-16.refuse] Another of the characteristic words of these Epistles; used as here 2 Timothy 2:23, and of refusing persons, 1 Timothy 5:11; Titus 3:10. In all the other passages of N. T. it has the earlier sense of deprecor, ‘beg off,’ ‘decline;’ Luke 14:18, ‘with one consent began to beg off;’ Acts 25:11, ‘If I have committed anything worthy of death I do not beg off from death;’ Hebrews 12:19 ‘they that heard begged off from any word more being spoken.’profane] As opposed to the godliness of 1 Timothy 3:16, and characteristic of the phraseology of these Epistles; cf. note on 1 Timothy 1:9. As ‘godliness’ is seen to be more and more bound up with a reverent grasp of true doctrine, so the self-willed fancies of heretical teaching are ‘profane’ as ignoring or denying the present working of the living God.old wives’ fables] For the justification of this epithet see Introd. p. 49; cf. also Appendix, B. The article, the order of the words, and the present tense, have their proper force by rendering the whole sentence, But those profane and old wives’ fables refuse steadily.and exercise thyself rather] R.V. omits ‘rather’ of A.V., connecting with what follows. The conjunction itself admits of being taken either as a stronger contrast with preceding, ‘and … rather,’ or as a weaker, taking up a somewhat new point following, ‘and moreover.’ The ‘exercising’ is taken by most commentators to contain an implied rebuke of the corporeal austerities for religion’s sake taught by one school of the earliest Gnostics. But the word has a definitely recognised metaphorical meaning by this time. Cf. the use in 2 Peter 2:14, ‘a heart trained in covetousness’; Hebrews 5:14, ‘by reason of use have their senses trained to discern’; Hebrews 12:11, ‘them that have been trained by chastening.’ And St Paul’s use of strong nervous words of command to brace up his younger comrade should make us lay more stress on this word of vigorous metaphor, and less perhaps on godliness; ‘do more than acquiesce in correct doctrine and godly dispositions; pursue a vigorous course of training; practise well and widely how to teach both Christian truth and Christian life.’ So Theod. Mops. Lat. interprets ‘exercitationem’ as ‘diligentiam doctrinae,’ … ‘ut alios cum omni diligentia ista instruat.’ See Appendix, K.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Timothy 4:7

But refuse - That is, refuse to pay attention to them, or reject them. Do not consider them of sufficient importance to occupy your time.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Timothy 4:7

7. Paul now gathers into this personal charge the errors also repudiated in 1 Timothy 1:3-4. Old wives’ fables—On which we again quote Dr. Clarke. Exercise—That is, gymnastize thyself, as a practicing athlete.

Sermons on 1 Timothy 4:7

SermonDescription
J. Oswald Sanders Finishing the Course Well by J. Oswald Sanders In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being active participants in our faith rather than passive observers. He compares our tendency to be "TV athletes" who watc
Jacob Prasch Holy Ghost Last Days by Jacob Prasch In this sermon, the speaker discusses the last days and the warnings given by Paul to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4. The speaker highlights the dangers of falling away from the faith and
J. Oswald Sanders Take Heed to Yourself by J. Oswald Sanders In this sermon, Billy Graham reflects on the life of a man who dedicated himself to one thing rather than dabbling in many things. He emphasizes the importance of finding the one t
Paul Washer Following Christ by Paul Washer In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of truly living out the Christian faith. He encourages listeners to not just have a superficial understanding of Christianity,
Paul Washer Persecution: Is It Coming? How Do We Prepare? by Paul Washer In this sermon, the speaker reflects on his experiences in Peru during a time of great persecution and danger. He shares stories of how God miraculously protected and provided for
Paul Washer Following Christ (Springfield Conference) by Paul Washer In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding who God is and what He has done for us in Christ as the motivation for living the Christian life. The first 1
George Verwer Seven Reasons Why You Should Go - Part 5 by George Verwer This sermon emphasizes the importance of taking steps of faith and being willing to move towards God's calling, even if others may follow in your footsteps. It highlights the need

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