Lexical Summary graódés: Old wives' tales, myths, or fables Original Word: γραῶδες Strong's Exhaustive Concordance silly, wives' tale. From graus (an old woman) and eidos; crone-like, i.e. Silly -- old wives'. see GREEK eidos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom graus (an old woman) and -ódés (suff. denoting similarity) Definition characteristic of old women, anile NASB Translation fit only (1), old women (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1126: γραώδηςγραώδης, γραωδες (from γραῦς an old woman, and εἶδος), old-womanish, anile (A. V. old wives'): 1 Timothy 4:7. (Strabo 1, p. 32 (p. 44, Sieben. edition); Galen; others.) Topical Lexicon Definition and Usage Strong’s Greek 1126, γραώδης, describes that which is “old-womanish,” hence trifling or silly. It carries a pejorative sense, denoting something unworthy of serious attention. The term is used once in the New Testament to characterize myths that distract from genuine godliness. Biblical Occurrence 1 Timothy 4:7 – “But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.” Paul warns Timothy that some teachings in Ephesus were as unsubstantial as the gossip of superstitious grandmothers. The apostle’s contrast—empty accounts versus disciplined piety—frames the pastoral call to weigh every doctrine by its capacity to promote true holiness. Cultural and Historical Background In the Greco-Roman world older women were often viewed as conveyors of folklore and superstitions. Philosophers dismissed such tales as intellectually childish. Paul borrows the cultural stereotype not to demean age or gender but to highlight the worthlessness of false teaching that parades as spirituality yet produces no moral fruit. The Ephesian setting, saturated with magical papyri and local legends surrounding Artemis, made Timothy’s task especially urgent. Theological Significance 1. Sound Doctrine versus Speculation Pastoral and Practical Application • Discernment in Teaching: Elders and teachers must filter out content that fails the test of biblical fidelity and spiritual profit. Related Biblical Themes • Myths (μῦθοι) – 1 Timothy 1:4; 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:14 Witness of Church History • Chrysostom connected Paul’s phrase to legends that “make the soul old and feeble,” contrasting them with the vigor imparted by the gospel. Summary γραώδης exposes teaching that is frivolous, superstitious, and spiritually unproductive. Paul’s single yet pointed use of the word summons every generation of believers to reject novelty without substance and to pursue disciplined godliness grounded in the trustworthy revelation of Scripture. Forms and Transliterations γραωδεις γραώδεις graodeis graōdeis graṓdeisLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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