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 we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer. 6If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 9This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it.

1 Timothy 4:7 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• refuseπαραιτέομαιparaiteomai · to refuse/excuseG3868
• profaneβέβηλοςbebēlos · profaneG952
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• old wives’γραώδηςgraōdēs · old wives’ taleG1126
• fablesμῦθοςmuthos · mythG3454
• exerciseγυμνάζωgumnazō · to trainG1128
• thyselfσεαυτοῦseautou seautō seauton sautou sautō sauton · yourselfG4572
• untoπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• godlinessεὐσέβειαeusebeia · pietyG2150

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 4:7

• 1 Timothy 1:4Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.
• 1 Timothy 6:20Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge.
• 2 Timothy 2:16Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.
• 2 Timothy 4:4They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
• 1 Timothy 2:10For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.
• 1 Timothy 3:16Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.
• 1 Timothy 6:11But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
• Acts 24:16Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.
• 2 Timothy 3:12Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
• Hebrews 5:14Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
• 2 Peter 1:5In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with 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