CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Timothy 4:7 But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_timothy/4-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/54_1Ti_04_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Timothy 4:7 - A Good Minister of Jesus Christ" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_timothy/4-7.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_timothy/4-7.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_timothy/">1 Timothy</a> > <a href="/1_timothy/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 7</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_timothy/4-6.htm" title="1 Timothy 4:6">◄</a> 1 Timothy 4:7 <a href="/1_timothy/4-8.htm" title="1 Timothy 4:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_timothy/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_timothy/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives&#8217 tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_timothy/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_timothy/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_timothy/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_timothy/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But refuse profane and silly fables. Rather, train yourself to godliness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_timothy/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself <i>rather</i> unto godliness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_timothy/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_timothy/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But stay away from worthless stories that are typical of old women. Rather, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_timothy/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_timothy/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_timothy/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But refuse godless myths fit only for old women. On the other hand, train yourself for the purpose of godliness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_timothy/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But have nothing to do with irreverent folklore <i>and</i> silly myths. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness [keeping yourself spiritually fit].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_timothy/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_timothy/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_timothy/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />but refuse profane and old wives' fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_timothy/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't have anything to do with worthless, senseless stories. Work hard to be truly religious. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_timothy/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />but refuse profane and old wives' fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_timothy/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Don't have anything to do with godless myths that old women like to tell. Rather, train yourself to live a godly life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_timothy/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But keep away from those godless legends, which are not worth telling. Keep yourself in training for a godly life. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_timothy/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Do not have anything to do with godless myths and fables of old women. Instead, train yourself to be godly. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_timothy/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_timothy/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_timothy/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But refuse profane and old wives' tales. Exercise yourself toward godliness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_timothy/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather to godliness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_timothy/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But worldly stories, fit only for credulous old women, have nothing to do with.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_timothy/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_timothy/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />but reject the profane and old women’s fables, and exercise yourself to piety,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_timothy/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />But refuse profane and silly fables. Rather, train yourself to godliness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_timothy/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and the profane and old women's fables reject thou, and exercise thyself unto piety,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_timothy/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And profane and old women's fictions reject, and exercise thyself in devotion.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_timothy/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But avoid foolish and old wives' fables: and exercise thyself unto godliness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_timothy/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But avoid the silly fables of old women. And exercise yourself so as to advance in piety.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_timothy/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Avoid profane and silly myths. Train yourself for devotion,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_timothy/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_timothy/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Refuse foolish and old wives fables, and train yourself in righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_timothy/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But abstain from insipid fables of old women and train yourself in righteousness;<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/1_timothy/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But reject those profane and old-womanish fables, and exercise yourself for godliness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/1_timothy/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />but reject the unsanctified and silly stories: but exercise yourself unto godliness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/1_timothy/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But profane and antiquated fables reject, but exercise thyself unto godliness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/1_timothy/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />as for prophane and groundless fables, reject them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_timothy/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But worldly stories, fit only for credulous old women, have nothing to do with.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/1_timothy/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />but refuse the profane and old wives fables, and exercise yourself unto godliness;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/1_timothy/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />But profane and groundless fables reject, and exercise thyself unto godliness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_timothy/4-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EkcLX59OJyU?start=529" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_timothy/4.htm">A Good Minister of Jesus Christ</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6</span>By 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. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3868.htm" title="3868: paraitou (V-PMM/P-2S) -- From para and the middle voice of aiteo; to beg off, i.e. Deprecate, decline, shun.">reject</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/952.htm" title="952: bebēlous (Adj-AMP) -- Permitted to be trodden, accessible. From the base of basis and belos; accessible, i.e. heathenish, wicked.">irreverent,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1126.htm" title="1126: graōdeis (Adj-AMP) -- Belonging to old women, such as old women tell. From graus and eidos; crone-like, i.e. Silly.">silly</a> <a href="/greek/3454.htm" title="3454: mythous (N-AMP) -- An idle tale, fable, fanciful story. Perhaps from the same as mueo; a tale, i.e. Fiction.">myths.</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">Instead,</a> <a href="/greek/1128.htm" title="1128: gymnaze (V-PMA-2S) -- To train by physical exercise; hence: train, in the widest sense. From gumnos; to practise naked, i.e. Train.">train</a> <a href="/greek/4572.htm" title="4572: seauton (PPro-AM2S) -- Of yourself. ">yourself</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">for</a> <a href="/greek/2150.htm" title="2150: eusebeian (N-AFS) -- Piety (towards God), godliness, devotion, godliness. From eusebes; piety; specially, the gospel scheme.">godliness.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">8</span>For 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-16.htm">2 Timothy 2:16</a></span><br />But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Titus 1:14</a></span><br />and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">1 Timothy 1:4</a></span><br />or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-4.htm">2 Timothy 4:4</a></span><br />So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/3-9.htm">Titus 3:9</a></span><br />But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-20.htm">1 Timothy 6:20</a></span><br />O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/1-16.htm">2 Peter 1:16</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Colossians 2:8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-14.htm">Ephesians 4:14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-9.htm">Hebrews 13:9</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-25.htm">1 Corinthians 9:25</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-12.htm">1 Corinthians 6:12</a></span><br />“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-5.htm">2 Timothy 3:5</a></span><br />having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-27.htm">1 Corinthians 9:27</a></span><br />No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-7.htm">Proverbs 4:7</a></span><br />Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself rather to godliness.</p><p class="hdg">refuse.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">1 Timothy 1:4</a></b></br> Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: <i>so do</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_timothy/6-20.htm">1 Timothy 6:20</a></b></br> O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane <i>and</i> vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_timothy/2-16.htm">2 Timothy 2:16,23</a></b></br> But shun profane <i>and</i> vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness… </p><p class="hdg">exercise.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">1 Timothy 1:4</a></b></br> Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: <i>so do</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_timothy/2-10.htm">1 Timothy 2:10</a></b></br> But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_timothy/3-16.htm">1 Timothy 3:16</a></b></br> 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.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_timothy/3-7.htm">Avoid</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-20.htm">Discipline</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-1.htm">Exercise</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">Fables</a> <a href="/colossians/3-18.htm">Fit</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-9.htm">Godless</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-16.htm">Godliness</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-17.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">Myths</a> <a href="/1_timothy/2-10.htm">Piety</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-9.htm">Profane</a> <a href="/1_timothy/2-7.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/1_timothy/2-10.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/philippians/3-8.htm">Refuse</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-8.htm">Reject</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-16.htm">Religion</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-4.htm">Silly</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">Stories</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-15.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-8.htm">Train</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">Training</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-7.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-11.htm">Wives</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-11.htm">Women</a> <a href="/esther/2-14.htm">Women's</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-18.htm">Worldly</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_timothy/6-20.htm">Avoid</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-8.htm">Discipline</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-8.htm">Exercise</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-4.htm">Fables</a> <a href="/titus/2-1.htm">Fit</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-20.htm">Godless</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-8.htm">Godliness</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-2.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-4.htm">Myths</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-8.htm">Piety</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-20.htm">Profane</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-10.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-1.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-11.htm">Refuse</a> <a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Reject</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-8.htm">Religion</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-6.htm">Silly</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-4.htm">Stories</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-13.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-8.htm">Train</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-8.htm">Training</a> <a href="/titus/1-15.htm">Unclean</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-1.htm">Wives</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-2.htm">Women</a> <a href="/revelation/9-8.htm">Women's</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-20.htm">Worldly</a><div class="vheading2">1 Timothy 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_timothy/4-1.htm">He foretells that in the latter times there shall be a departure from the faith.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_timothy/4-6.htm">And to the end that Timothy might not fail in doing his duty, he furnishes him with various precepts.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/1_timothy/4.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>But reject</b><br />The Greek word for "reject" is "παραιτοῦ" (paraiteo), which implies a strong refusal or avoidance. In the context of Paul's letter to Timothy, this is a command to actively turn away from certain teachings or ideas. Historically, the early church faced numerous false teachings and myths that threatened to distort the gospel. Paul’s directive is clear: believers must be discerning and resolute in rejecting anything that contradicts the truth of Scripture.<p><b>irreverent, silly myths</b><br />The term "irreverent" comes from the Greek "βεβήλους" (bebelous), meaning profane or worldly. "Silly myths" translates from "γραώδεις μύθους" (graodeis mythous), which can be understood as old wives' tales or foolish stories. These myths were likely speculative teachings that distracted from the core message of the gospel. In a historical context, such myths could have included Gnostic teachings or Jewish fables that were prevalent at the time. Paul emphasizes the importance of focusing on sound doctrine rather than being led astray by baseless stories.<p><b>Instead, train yourself</b><br />The word "train" is derived from the Greek "γύμναζε" (gymnaze), which is the root of the English word "gymnasium." It suggests rigorous, disciplined exercise. Paul uses this metaphor to illustrate the spiritual discipline required to grow in faith. Just as physical training requires commitment and effort, so does spiritual training. This reflects a broader biblical principle that spiritual growth is an active process, requiring dedication and perseverance.<p><b>for godliness</b><br />"Godliness" is translated from the Greek "εὐσέβειαν" (eusebeian), which refers to piety or reverence towards God. In the conservative Christian perspective, godliness is the ultimate goal of a believer's life, reflecting a deep, abiding relationship with God that manifests in righteous living. Historically, this concept was counter-cultural, as it called believers to live in a manner distinct from the surrounding pagan society. Paul’s exhortation to train for godliness underscores the importance of aligning one's life with the teachings of Christ, embodying His character and values in every aspect of life.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_timothy/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) <span class= "bld">But refuse profane and old wives' fables.</span>--Here Timothy--who has been previously (see <a href="/context/1_timothy/4-1.htm" title="Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;">1Timothy 4:1-6</a>) 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.<p><span class= "bld">And exercise thyself rather unto godliness.</span>--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 <a href="/1_timothy/4-6.htm" title="If you put the brothers in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto you have attained.">1Timothy 4:6</a>, in the words, "ever training thyself." To lead such a life required ceaseless pains and efforts, for true godliness is ever a <span class= "ital">progressive</span> 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.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_timothy/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="accented">Unto godliness</span> for <span class="accented">rather unto godliness</span>, A.V. The R.V., by putting a full stop after "fables," disturbs the natural flow of the thought. The two imperatives <span class="greek">παραιτοῦ</span> and <span class="greek">γύμναζε</span> connect and contrast the thoughts in the two clauses of the verse, as the A.V. indicates by the insertion of "rather." <span class="cmt_word">Profane</span> (<span class="greek">βεβήλους</span>; <a href="/1_timothy/1-9.htm">1 Timothy 1:9</a>, note) <span class="cmt_word">Old wives'</span> (<span class="greek">γράωδεις</span>); only here in the New Testament; not used in LXX.; rare in classical Greek. <span class="cmt_word">Exercise thyself unto godliness</span> (<span class="greek">γύμναζε σευτόν</span>). The verb <span class="greek">γυμνάζειν</span> 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" (<a href="/1_timothy/1-4.htm">1 Timothy 1:4</a>; <a href="/2_timothy/4-4.htm">2 Timothy 4:4</a>; <a href="/titus/1-14.htm">Titus 1:14</a>; <a href="/2_peter/1-16.htm">2 Peter 1:16</a>), 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, <span class="greek">γύμναζε σεαυτόν</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_timothy/4-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">reject</span><br /><span class="grk">παραιτοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(paraitou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3868.htm">Strong's 3868: </a> </span><span class="str2">From para and the middle voice of aiteo; to beg off, i.e. Deprecate, decline, shun.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">irreverent</span><br /><span class="grk">βεβήλους</span> <span class="translit">(bebēlous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_952.htm">Strong's 952: </a> </span><span class="str2">Permitted to be trodden, accessible. From the base of basis and belos; accessible, i.e. heathenish, wicked.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">silly</span><br /><span class="grk">γραώδεις</span> <span class="translit">(graōdeis)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1126.htm">Strong's 1126: </a> </span><span class="str2">Belonging to old women, such as old women tell. From graus and eidos; crone-like, i.e. Silly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">myths.</span><br /><span class="grk">μύθους</span> <span class="translit">(mythous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3454.htm">Strong's 3454: </a> </span><span class="str2">An idle tale, fable, fanciful story. Perhaps from the same as mueo; a tale, i.e. Fiction.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Instead,</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">train</span><br /><span class="grk">γύμναζε</span> <span class="translit">(gymnaze)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1128.htm">Strong's 1128: </a> </span><span class="str2">To train by physical exercise; hence: train, in the widest sense. From gumnos; to practise naked, i.e. Train.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">yourself</span><br /><span class="grk">σεαυτὸν</span> <span class="translit">(seauton)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4572.htm">Strong's 4572: </a> </span><span class="str2">Of yourself. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="grk">πρὸς</span> <span class="translit">(pros)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> </span><span class="str2">To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">godliness.</span><br /><span class="grk">εὐσέβειαν</span> <span class="translit">(eusebeian)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2150.htm">Strong's 2150: </a> </span><span class="str2">Piety (towards God), godliness, devotion, godliness. From eusebes; piety; specially, the gospel scheme.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_timothy/4-7.htm">1 Timothy 4:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_timothy/4-7.htm">1 Timothy 4:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_timothy/4-7.htm">1 Timothy 4:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_timothy/4-7.htm">1 Timothy 4:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_timothy/4-7.htm">1 Timothy 4:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_timothy/4-7.htm">1 Timothy 4:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_timothy/4-7.htm">1 Timothy 4:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_timothy/4-7.htm">1 Timothy 4:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_timothy/4-7.htm">1 Timothy 4:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_timothy/4-7.htm">1 Timothy 4:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_timothy/4-7.htm">NT Letters: 1 Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_timothy/4-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Timothy 4:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Timothy 4:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_timothy/4-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Timothy 4:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Timothy 4:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>