But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.
Parallel translations
- WEB But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness.
- KJV But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
- NKJV But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
- NASB But stay away from worthless stories that are typical of old women. Rather, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;
- NLT Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Timothy is to reject godless myths and train himself for godliness. It calls ministers to disciplined pursuit of holiness.
Overview
Paul tells Timothy to refuse 'profane and old wives' fables' and instead 'exercise yourself toward godliness.' The athletic image stresses intentional, ongoing effort. Godliness, not speculation, is the proper aim of a servant of Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 15
- 2 Tim 2:16But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
- Titus 2:12It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
- 1 Tim 1:4or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.
- 2 Pet 1:5–8For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
- Titus 3:9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
- Heb 5:14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.
- 2 Tim 2:23But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling.
- 1 Tim 6:11But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
- Acts 24:16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
- 2 Tim 4:4So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
- 1 Tim 6:20O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”
- 2 Tim 3:12Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
- Titus 1:14and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.
- 1 Tim 3:16By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.
- 1 Tim 2:10but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
There is 'one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all' — the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh.
How 1 Timothy 4:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.