American Standard Version
1 Timothy 4:7
7but refuse profane and old wives’ fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness:
1 Timothy 4:7 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
- New International Version (NIV)Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;
- New King James Version (NKJV)But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
Context of 1 Timothy 4:7
5for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. 6If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now: but refuse profane and old wives’ fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness: 8for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come. 9Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation.
Read all of 1 Timothy 41 Timothy 4:7 word by word
τοὺς δὲ βεβήλους καὶ γραώδεις μύθους παραιτοῦ· γύμναζε δὲ σεαυτὸν πρὸς εὐσέβειαν.Read the interlinear
Cross-references for 1 Timothy 4:7
- 1 Timothy 1:4neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is in faith; so do I now.
- 1 Timothy 6:20O Timothy, guard that which is committed unto thee, turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;
- 2 Timothy 2:16But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness,
- 2 Timothy 4:4and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.
- 1 Timothy 2:10but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works.
- 1 Timothy 3:16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
- 1 Timothy 6:11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
- Acts 24:16Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always.
- 2 Timothy 3:12Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
- Hebrews 5:14But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.
- 2 Peter 1:5Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge;
Commentaries on 1 Timothy 4:7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7But 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7But refuse - That is, refuse to pay attention to them, or reject them. Do not consider them of sufficient importance to occupy your time. Profane - The word here used does not mean that the fables here referred to were blasphemous or impious in their character, but that they had not the character of true religion; 2 Timothy 2:16. d And old wives‘ - Old women‘s stories; or such as old women held to be important. The word is used here, as it is often with…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-10Verses 6-10 Outward acts of self-denial profit little. What will it avail us to mortify the body, if we do not mortify sin? No diligence in mere outward things could be of much use. The gain of godliness lies much in the promise; and the promises to godly people relate partly to the life that now is, but especially to the life which is to come: though we lose for Christ, we shall not lose by him. If Christ be thus the Saviour of all men, then much more…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6-16Timothy needs to address the false teachers (see 2 Timothy 3:1–4:5).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. refuse--reject, avoid, have nothing to do with (2Ti 2:23; Tit 3:10). old wives' fables--anile myths (1Ti 1:4, 9; Tit 1:14). They are "profane," because leading away from "godliness" or "piety" (1Ti 1:4-7; 6:20; 2Ti 2:16; Tit 1:1, 2). exercise thyself--literally, "exercise thyself" as one undergoing training in a gymnasium. Let thy self-discipline be not in ascetical exercises as the false teachers (1Ti 4:3, 8; compare 2Ti 2:22, 23; He 5:14; 12:11), but…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Timothy 4:7
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Timothy 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries