But reject irreverent, silly myths.This phrase emphasizes the importance of discernment in spiritual matters. In the context of the early church, false teachings and myths were prevalent, often rooted in pagan traditions or Jewish folklore. The apostle Paul warns Timothy to avoid these distractions, which can lead believers away from the truth of the Gospel. This echoes the warnings found in other scriptures, such as
2 Timothy 4:4, where people turn away from the truth to myths. The term "irreverent" suggests a lack of respect for the sacred, while "silly" implies foolishness or lack of substance. This instruction is relevant today as believers are encouraged to focus on sound doctrine and avoid teachings that do not align with biblical truth.
Instead, train yourself for godliness.
The call to "train" oneself suggests a disciplined, intentional effort, akin to physical training. In the Greco-Roman world, athletic training was a common metaphor for spiritual discipline, as seen in1 Corinthians 9:24-27, where Paul compares the Christian life to a race. The focus here is on "godliness," which involves living a life that reflects the character and holiness of God. This training requires dedication to prayer, study of Scripture, and the practice of spiritual disciplines. The concept of godliness is central to the Christian faith, as it embodies the transformation that occurs through a relationship with Jesus Christ. This transformation is a fulfillment of the call to be holy, as God is holy, found inLeviticus 11:44 and reiterated in1 Peter 1:16.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PaulThe apostle who authored the letter to Timothy, providing guidance and instruction for church leadership and personal conduct.
2.
TimothyA young pastor and protégé of Paul, serving in Ephesus, who is the recipient of this letter.
3.
EphesusThe city where Timothy was ministering, known for its diverse culture and religious practices, including the worship of Artemis.
4.
False TeachersIndividuals spreading myths and false doctrines within the church, which Paul warns Timothy to reject.
5.
GodlinessThe state of being devoutly religious and morally upright, which Paul encourages Timothy to pursue through spiritual discipline.
Teaching Points
Rejecting FalsehoodsChristians are called to discern and reject teachings that are not rooted in Scripture. This requires a deep understanding of biblical truth.
Pursuing GodlinessSpiritual growth requires intentional effort and discipline, much like physical training. Believers should prioritize practices that foster godliness, such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship.
The Role of ScriptureThe Bible is the primary tool for training in godliness. Regular engagement with Scripture equips believers to discern truth from falsehood.
The Importance of DiscernmentIn a world filled with competing ideologies, Christians must develop discernment to navigate cultural myths and remain steadfast in their faith.
Spiritual DisciplineJust as athletes train their bodies, Christians must train their spirits through consistent spiritual disciplines, leading to a life that reflects Christ's character.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Timothy 4:7?
2.How can we "reject irreverent, silly myths" in today's culture?
3.What does "train yourself for godliness" mean in practical daily life?
4.How does 1 Timothy 4:7 connect with Proverbs 4:7 about gaining wisdom?
5.What steps can you take to prioritize spiritual training over worldly distractions?
6.How can you encourage others to focus on godliness in their spiritual journey?
7.What does "reject irreverent, silly myths" mean in 1 Timothy 4:7?
8.How do "irreverent, silly myths" affect Christian faith according to 1 Timothy 4:7?
9.Why does 1 Timothy 4:7 emphasize training in godliness over myths?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Timothy 4?
11.Considering modern skepticism, what qualifies certain teachings as “irreverent myths” in 1 Timothy 4:7, and who decides?
12.What does the Bible say about Bigfoot/Sasquatch?
13.Who was Benedict of Nursia?
14.What does "piety" mean?What Does 1 Timothy 4:7 Mean
But reject irreverent, silly myths.• Paul opens with a clear command: “But reject irreverent, silly myths” (1 Timothy 4:7a).
• “Reject” is active; the believer must consciously turn away from teachings that trivialize or distort God’s truth.
• Such myths are called “irreverent”—they fail to honor God—and “silly,” meaning empty and unprofitable (see1 Timothy 1:4;Titus 1:14;2 Timothy 4:4).
• The danger is not only error but distraction. Myths crowd the mind, pulling attention from the gospel’s solid foundation (Galatians 1:6–8).
• Practical take-away: filter every claim—podcast, post, conversation—through Scripture’s lens (Acts 17:11).
Instead, train yourself• “Instead” signals a sharp contrast. We are not merely avoiding something; we are pursuing something better.
• “Train yourself” pictures an athlete in disciplined preparation (1 Corinthians 9:25–27).
• Training is:
– Intentional: schedule regular time in the Word (Psalm 1:2).
– Progressive: growth happens over repeated reps of obedience (Hebrews 5:14).
– Personal: “yourself” means no outsourcing; mentors help, but responsibility rests on the believer (Philippians 2:12–13).
• Tools for training: daily reading, memorization (Psalm 119:11), fellowship (Hebrews 10:24–25), service (James 1:22).
for godliness.• The goal is “godliness”—a life that reflects God’s character in everyday choices (1 Timothy 6:6;2 Peter 1:3–7).
• Godliness unites belief and behavior:
– Reverence toward God (Proverbs 9:10).
– Love toward people (1 John 4:20–21).
– Integrity in private and public (Colossians 3:17).
• While salvation is a gift received by faith (Ephesians 2:8–9), godliness is cultivated afterward through Spirit-empowered effort (2 Peter 1:5).
• Benefits include present strength and future reward (1 Timothy 4:8).
summaryReject whatever belittles God’s truth, replace it with disciplined spiritual habits, and aim for a life that looks like Jesus. The verse is a call to vigilant discernment and vigorous pursuit of holiness—turning from empty talk to a training regimen that produces genuine godliness.
(7)
But refuse profane and old wives' fables.--Here Timothy--who has been previously (see
1Timothy 4:1-6) warned against a false asceticism, against putting an unnatural interpretation on the words of Christ, against sympathising with a teaching which would unfit men and women for practical every-day life--is now urged to guard himself against the temptation to give himself up to the favourite and apparently enticing study of the sayings of the famous Jewish Rabbis, in which every book, almost every word--in many cases the letters of the Hebrew Scriptures--were subjected to a keen but profitless investigation. In such study the spirit of the holy writers was too often lost, and only a dry and barren formalism--commands respecting the tithing of mint, and anise, and cummin--remained, while the weightier matters of the law--judgment, justice, and truth--were carefully sifted out. Round the grand old Jewish history all kind of mythical legends grew up, till for a Jewish student of the Rabbinical schools the separation of the true from the false became in many cases impossible--through all this elaborate and careful but almost profitless study. The minister of Christ was to avoid these strange and unusual interpretations, this vast fantastic collection of legends, partly true and partly false. He was to regard them as merely profane and old wives' fables, as being perfectly useless and even harmful in their bearing on practical every-day life.
And exercise thyself rather unto godliness.--Instead of these weary profitless efforts--the painful, useless asceticism on the one hand, and the endless and barren Rabbinic studies of the Law on the other--Timothy, as a good minister of Jesus Christ, was to bestow all his pains and labour to promote an active, healthy, practical piety among the congregation of believers, as we have seen in1Timothy 4:6, in the words, "ever training thyself." To lead such a life required ceaseless pains and efforts, for true godliness is ever aprogressive state. Surely exercising himself unto godliness would be a task hard enough to satisfy the most ardent, the most enthusiastic soul! The "godliness," or "piety," here alluded to, as the end toward which Timothy was to direct all his efforts, was that practical piety which influences for good, which leavens with a holy leaven all classes of society, all life, of the slave as well as of the patrician.
Verse 7. -
Unto godliness for
rather unto godliness, A.V. The R.V., by putting a full stop after "fables," disturbs the natural flow of the thought. The two imperatives
παραιτοῦ and
γύμναζε connect and contrast the thoughts in the two clauses of the verse, as the A.V. indicates by the insertion of "rather."
Profane (
βεβήλους;
1 Timothy 1:9, note)
Old wives' (
γράωδεις); only here in the New Testament; not used in LXX.; rare in classical Greek.
Exercise thyself unto godliness (
γύμναζε σευτόν). The verb
γυμνάζειν occurs in the New Testament only in this place, twice in the Epistle to the Hebrews (Hebrews 5:14; 12:11), and once in 2 Peter (2 Peter 2:14). In the LXX. it occurs only once (2 Macc. 10:15), but is common in classical Greek. The metaphor is drawn from training for gymnastic exercises. As regards the whole passage, it seems that there were current among the Jews at this time many "fables" (
1 Timothy 1:4;
2 Timothy 4:4;
Titus 1:14;
2 Peter 1:16), childish legends and doctrines, some of them directed especially to enforcing certain rules about eating and drinking, and other "bodily exercises," which St. Paul utterly discountenances, and contrasts with that "good doctrine" which he directs Timothy continually to teach. This would account, naturally, for the introduction of the phrase,
γύμναζε σεαυτόν.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Butδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.rejectπαραιτοῦ(paraitou)Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 3868:From para and the middle voice of aiteo; to beg off, i.e. Deprecate, decline, shun.irreverentβεβήλους(bebēlous)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 952:Permitted to be trodden, accessible. From the base of basis and belos; accessible, i.e. heathenish, wicked.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.sillyγραώδεις(graōdeis)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1126:Belonging to old women, such as old women tell. From graus and eidos; crone-like, i.e. Silly.myths.μύθους(mythous)Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3454:An idle tale, fable, fanciful story. Perhaps from the same as mueo; a tale, i.e. Fiction.Instead,δὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.trainγύμναζε(gymnaze)Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1128:To train by physical exercise; hence: train, in the widest sense. From gumnos; to practise naked, i.e. Train.yourselfσεαυτὸν(seauton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4572:Of yourself.forπρὸς(pros)Preposition
Strong's 4314:To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.godliness.εὐσέβειαν(eusebeian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2150:Piety (towards God), godliness, devotion, godliness. From eusebes; piety; specially, the gospel scheme.
Links
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1 Timothy 4:7 BibleApps.com1 Timothy 4:7 Biblia Paralela1 Timothy 4:7 Chinese Bible1 Timothy 4:7 French Bible1 Timothy 4:7 Catholic Bible
NT Letters: 1 Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables (1 Tim. 1Ti iTi 1tim i Tm) 
