1 Timothy 4:7

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 by means of the word of God and prayer. 6In pointing out these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have been following. But stay away from worthless stories that are typical of old women. Rather, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8for bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but godliness is beneficial for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.

1 Timothy 4:7 word by word

τοὺς δὲ βεβήλους καὶ γραώδεις μύθους παραιτοῦ· γύμναζε δὲ σεαυτὸν πρὸς εὐσέβειαν.Read the interlinear

• stayπαραιτέομαιparaiteomai · to refuse/excuseG3868
• worthlessβέβηλοςbebēlos · profaneG952
• storiesμῦθοςmuthos · mythG3454
• that are typicalγραώδηςgraōdēs · old wives’ taleG1126
• Ratherδέde · thenG1161
• disciplineγυμνάζωgumnazō · to trainG1128
• yourselfσεαυτοῦseautou seautō seauton sautou sautō sauton · yourselfG4572
• for the purposeπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• godlinessεὐσέβειαeusebeia · pietyG2150

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 4:7

• 1 Timothy 1:4nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to useless speculation rather than advance the plan of God, which is by faith, so I urge you now.
• 1 Timothy 6:20Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”--
• 2 Timothy 2:16But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,
• 2 Timothy 4:4and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
• 1 Timothy 2:10but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.
• 1 Timothy 3:16Beyond question, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.
• 1 Timothy 6:11But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
• Acts 24:16In view of this I also do my best to maintain a blameless conscience both before God and before other people, always.
• 2 Timothy 3:12Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
• Hebrews 5:14But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil.
• 2 Peter 1:5Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, 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

• Commandments
• Doctrines
• Fable
• Minister, Christian
• Sarcasm
• Tradition

In the dictionaries

• Attendance
• Charge
• Example
• Fable
• Godliness
• Nourish
• Presbytery
• Profane
• Profiting
• Thanksgiving

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