1 Timothy 4:7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

◄ 1 Timothy 4:7 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

English Standard Version
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;

New American Standard Bible
But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;

King James Bible
But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness,

International Standard Version
Do not have anything to do with godless myths and fables of old women. Instead, train yourself to be godly.

American Standard Version
but refuse profane and old wives fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness:

Douay-Rheims Bible
But avoid foolish and old wives' fables: and exercise thyself unto godliness.

Darby Bible Translation
But profane and old wives' fables avoid, but exercise thyself unto piety;

Young's Literal Translation
and the profane and old women's fables reject thou, and exercise thyself unto piety,

Cross References

1 Timothy 1:4
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

1 Timothy 1:9
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for murderers,

1 Timothy 4:8
For bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

1 Timothy 6:3
If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

1 Timothy 6:5
Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw yourself.

2 Timothy 3:5
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Hebrews 5:14
But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

4:6-10 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 will he be the Rewarder of those who seek and serve him; he will provide well for those whom he has made new creatures.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

7. 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; Heb 5:14; 12:11), but with a view to godliness or "piety" (1Ti 6:11, 12).