1 Timothy 4

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.

For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

These things command and teach.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

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1 Timothy 4:7

“But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.”

Study Summary

Have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness — Paul's dismissal of bebēlos mythos (irreverent myths) and gerōdeis (old women's stories) contrasts sharply with the imperative gymnazō seauton pros eusebeian (train yourself toward godliness). Spiritual discipline parallels athletic training.

Community Reflections

Elena Petrova (Test User)7h ago

The armor of God — 1 Timothy 4

His timing, His methods, His purposes — all beyond our comprehension, yet perfectly good.. My grandmother used to quote this verse every morning. The early church would have heard this very differently than we do today. We bring nothing; He provides everything.. What a reminder that God's ways are not our ways. It implies covenant loyalty, steadfast love that never wavers.. The Hebrew word used here carries a richness that English can't fully capture. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. Today it speaks comfort; a year ago it spoke conviction.. His timing, His methods, His purposes — all beyond our comprehension, yet perfectly good.. God is faithful in every circumstance.. It implies covenant loyalty, steadfast love that never wavers.. The early church would have heard this very differently than we do today. This is one of those passages that reads differently in every season…

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