1 Timothy 4:7
But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
1 Timothy 4:7 in other translations
| BSB | But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness. |
|---|---|
| WEB | But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness. |
| ASV | but refuse profane and old wives’ fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness: |
| YLT | and the profane and old women's fables reject thou, and exercise thyself unto piety, |
| DARBY | But profane and old wives' fables avoid, but exercise thyself unto piety; |
| BBE | But have nothing to do with unclean and foolish stories. Give yourself training in religion: |
| Webster | But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather to godliness. |
What does 1 Timothy 4:7 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Profane. The word here used does not mean that the fables here referred to were blasphemous or impious in their character, but that they had not the character of true religion, 2Ti 2:16.
And old wive's. Old women's stories; or such as old women held to be important. The word is used here, as it is often with us, in the sense of silly.
Fables. Fictions, or stories that were not founded on fact. The heathen religion abounded with fictions of this kind, and the Jewish teachers were also remarkable for the number of such fables which they had introduced into their system. It is probable that the apostle referred here particularly to the Jewish fables, and the counsel which he gives to Timothy is to have nothing to do with them.
And exercise thyself rather unto godliness. Rather than attempt to understand those fables.
Do not occupy your time and attention with them, but rather cultivate piety, and seek to become more holy.
(b) (wive's) Tit 1:14 (*) (fables) "senseless fables"
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Timothy 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…
1 Timothy 4:7 in the original Greek
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Cross references for 1 Timothy 4:7
- 2 Timothy 2:16
But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
- Titus 2:12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
- 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.
- 2 Peter 1:5-8
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Titus 3:9
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
- Hebrews 5:14
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
- 1 Timothy 6:11
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
- 2 Timothy 2:23
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
- Acts 24:16
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
- 2 Timothy 4:4
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
- 1 Timothy 6:20
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
- 1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- 1 Timothy 4:6
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.
- 1 Timothy 4:7
But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
- 1 Timothy 4:8
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.
1 Timothy 4:7 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Mas las fábulas profanas y de viejas desecha, y ejercítate para la piedad. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Mais rejette les fables profanes et de vieilles femmes, et exerce-toi toi-même à la piété: |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Die ungöttlichen und altweibischen Fabeln aber weise ab, übe dich aber zur Gottseligkeit; |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Ineptas autem, et aniles fabulas devita: exerce autem teipsum ad pietatem. |