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Selected Verse: 1 Timothy 4:7 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Ti 4:7 |
King James |
But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
refuse--reject, avoid, have nothing to do with (Ti2 2:23; Tit 3:10).
old wives' fables--anile myths (Ti1 1:4, Ti1 1:9; Tit 1:14). They are "profane," because leading away from "godliness" or "piety" (Ti1 1:4-7; Ti1 6:20; Ti2 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 (Ti1 4:3, Ti1 4:8; compare Ti2 2:22-23; Heb 5:14; Heb 12:11), but with a view to godliness or "piety" (Ti1 6:11-12). |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
But refuse - That is, refuse to pay attention to them, or reject them. Do not consider them of sufficient importance to occupy your time.
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; Ti2 2:16.And old wives' - 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 pagan 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. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Shun (παραιτοῦ)
Comp. Ti1 5:11; Ti2 2:23; Tit 3:10. oP. The primary meaning is to ask as a favor (Mar 15:6; Heb 12:19). Mostly in this sense in lxx, as Sa1 20:6, Sa1 20:28. To deprecate; to prevent the consequences of an act by protesting against and disavowing it, as 3 Macc. 6:27. To beg off, get excused, as Luk 14:18, Luk 14:19; 4 Macc. 11:2. To decline, refuse, avoid, as here, Act 25:11; Heb 12:25.
Profane
See on Ti1 1:9, and comp. Ti1 6:20; Ti2 2:16; Heb 12:16.
Old wives' (γραωδεις)
N.T.o. olxx. From γραῦς an old woman, and εἶδος form.
Fables (μύθους)
See on Ti1 1:4, and comp. Ti2 4:4; Tit 1:14; Pe2 1:16.
Exercise (γύμναζε)
oP. Only here in Pastorals. Heb 5:14; Heb 12:11; Pe2 2:14. From γυμνός naked. In Class. Of training naked in gymnastic exercises; also, metaphorically, of training for or practicing an art or profession. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Like those who were to contend in the Grecian games, exercise thyself unto godliness - Train thyself up in holiness of heart and life, with the utmost labour, vigour, and diligence. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
But refuse profane and old wives' fables - This seems to refer particularly to the Jews, whose Talmudical writings are stuffed with the most ridiculous and profane fables that ever disgraced the human intellect. It may with equal propriety be applied to the legends of the Romish Church. Let any man read the Aurea Legenda, and he will find of profane and old wives' fables what may stand, with considerable propriety, column for column with the Talmud. See Joseline's Life of St. Patrick for miracles, without rhyme or reason, abundantly more numerous and more stupendous than all the necessary ones wrought by Jesus Christ and his apostles. This is enough to persuade a man that the Spirit of God had these very corruptions and this corrupt Church particularly in view.
Exercise thyself rather unto godliness - To understand this expression it is necessary to know that the apostle alludes here to the gymnastic exercises among the Greeks, which were intended as a preparation for, their contests at the public games. They did this in order to obtain a corruptible or fading crown, i. e, a chaplet of leaves, which was the reward of those who conquered in those games; Timothy was to exercise himself unto godliness, that he might be prepared for the kingdom of heaven, and there receive a crown that fadeth not away. See the notes on Co1 9:24, etc. |
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
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.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
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.
3 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.
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
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 manslayers,
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
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.
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
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 manslayers,
25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Bethlehem:
6 If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Bethlehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.
19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
6 Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired.
10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.