1 Timothy 4:7

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Timothy 4:7

refuse . Greek. paraiteomai . See Acts 25:11 . profane = the profane. Referring to 1 Timothy 1:4 . See 1 Timothy 1:9 , old wives' . Greek. graodes . Only here. fables . See 1 Timothy 1:4 . exercise. Greek. gumnazo. Here; Hebrews 6:14 ; Hebrews 12:11 . 2 Peter 2:14 . unto. App-104 . godliness . See 1 Timothy 2:2 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Timothy 4:7

but refuse profane and old wives' fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness:"Invented stories and untrue fables have no place in Christian proclamation. The faith is rooted in history."[21]How much of the lore regarding the so-called canonization of the "saints" of the church is pure fable? For example, take the tale regarding St. Patrick who was said to have died in Ireland; but he was so beloved that his friends would not bury him; and on the fourth day his body swelled up, burst, and... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Timothy 4:7

7. refuse—reject, avoid, have nothing to do with (2 Timothy 2:23; Titus 3:10). old wives' fables—anile myths (1 Timothy 1:4; 1 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:14). They are "profane," because leading away from "godliness" or "piety" (1 Timothy 1:4-7; 1 Timothy 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16; Titus 1:1; Titus 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 (1 Timothy 4:3; 1 Timothy 4:8; compare... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Timothy 4:6-16

A. The leader’s personal life and public ministry 4:6-16Having reminded Timothy that the apostasy he was witnessing in Ephesus was not unexpected but prophesied (1 Timothy 4:1-5), the apostle next clarified Timothy’s responsibility in dealing with it (cf. ch. 1). Paul wrote these positive directions to enable Timothy to overcome the influences of the ascetic apostates that threatened the church at Ephesus. He also wrote to remind him of the importance of his personal life and public ministry,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Timothy 4:6-25

IV. INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING LEADERSHIP OF THE LOCAL CHURCH 4:6-5:25Paul proceeded to give some specific instruction about leadership of the church. This included direction concerning the leader’s personal life and public ministry, basic principles of effective interpersonal relationships, and the proper treatment of widows and elders. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Timothy 4:7-8

Timothy should not become embroiled in refuting the fables of these false teachers (1 Timothy 1:4) that have a certain appeal, but only as curiosities. These fables are godless and worthless.Rather, he should train himself in godliness. This requires rigorous self-discipline. In allowing marriages and eating all kinds of food Paul was not advocating undisciplined Christian living. However, Timothy should direct his discipline at the development of spiritual rather than physical strength.... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Various Directions and Exhortations1-10. A return to, and emphatic reiteration of, the first charge to Timothy (1 Timothy 1:3-20) against heterodoxy and in favour of true godliness. This form of heterodoxy which he would have to oppose was an asceticism which taught that there was merit in abstaining from meats, and forbade conjugal intercourse as on a lower moral level than celibacy.1. The Spirit speaketh (RV ’saith’)] possibly in some definite prophecy of OT., or of our Lord, or of the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Timothy 4:7

(7) But refuse profane and old wives’ fables.—Here Timothy—who has been previously (see 1 Timothy 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... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Timothy 4:1-16

1 Timothy 4:2 It is not the suffering, and mutilation, and death of man's body that most needs to be diminished it is the mutilation and death of his soul. Not the Red Cross is needed, but the simple Cross of Christ to destroy falsehood and deception. Tolstoy (preface to Sevastopol). References. IV. 3. Expositor (7th Series), vol. vi. p. 177. IV. 6. Ibid. (5th Series), vol. i. p. 337. IV. 7. W. J. Hocking, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xliv. p. 187. A. Maclaren, Expositions of Holy... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:7-8

Chapter 13THE COMPARATIVE VALUE OF BODILY EXERCISE AND OF GODLINESS. - 1 Timothy 4:7-8.IT is almost impossible to decide what St. Paul here means by "bodily exercise." Not that either the phrase or the passage in which it occurs is either difficult or obscure. But the phrase may mean either of two things, both of which make excellent sense in themselves, and both of which fit the context.At the beginning of this chapter the Apostle warns Timothy against apostates who shall "give heed to... read more

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