1 Timothy 4:7

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - 1 Timothy 4:7

1 Timothy SPIRITUAL ATHLETICS 1Ti_4:7 . Timothy seems to have been not a very strong character: sensitive, easily discouraged, and perhaps with a constitutional tendency to indolence. At all events, it is very touching to notice how the old Apostle--a prisoner, soon to be a martyr--forgot all about his own anxieties and burdens, and, through both of his letters to his young helper, gives himself to the task of bracing him up. Thus he says to him, in my text, amongst other trumpet-tongued... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:1-8

Reject False and Foolish Teaching 1 Timothy 4:1-8 We have here the Apostle’s forecast of the last times, i.e ., the condition in which men will find themselves as the age draws to a close. Notwithstanding all that Christ has done, the prevalence of evil will be enormous, not because of any failure in God but because the Church has failed to be the organ through which His saving help could reach mankind. The symptoms are set forth with great clearness, such as demon spirits dwelling and... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Having thus dealt with the Church, the apostle showed Timothy how he was to fulfil his responsibility. He had a duty toward the truth, and therefore toward the Church. In order to correct errors which would arise, Timothy was to give definite instruction. Abstinence from lawful things is a matter for personal decision and action, and must never be made a necessity of religious life or godliness. The apostle then described the secrets of strength for those who were called upon to defend the... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:7

RELIGION AND MORAL LIFE‘Exercisx thyself rather unto godliness.’ 1 Timothy 4:7 It is often said that you cannot make a man moral by Act of Parliament. Well, that means that all that Parliament can do is to diminish the opportunities and occasions of doing wrong. I. You must come to religion to give a man moral strength.—A good deal can be done when the Church and the nation and Parliament work together. The Church can stir up and make a sound public opinion, and that means that good laws will... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:7-8

CHRISTIAN DISCIPLINE‘And exercise thyself unto godliness: for bodily exercise is profitable for a little.’ 1 Timothy 4:7-Ruth : (R.V.) Godliness, and not asceticism, is to be the Christian’s aim. ‘Bodily exercise,’ or physical severities and privations, such as many of the early saints imposed upon themselves, is contrasted here with ‘godliness’ or piety, as being only a means to the attainment of the latter, and not therefore an end in itself. The ‘godliness’ here inculcated is well... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 4:1-7

Warning Against False Teachers Who Seek To Enforce Asceticism, Rather Men Should Receive What Is Good From The Hand of God With Thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:1-7 ). Having been exalted into Heaven we are now brought down to earth with a bump. In contrast with the church of the living God which is upholding the truth (1 Timothy 3:15), are those who are influenced by the powers of evil, who come speaking lies. These may be the false teachers already referred to in 1 Timothy 1:19-20, and may even be... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Paul Now Gives A More Detailed Account of What Timothy’s Ministry Will Involve (1 Timothy 4:1 to 1 Timothy 6:10 ). It is interesting how much the second half of this letter is patterned on the first. Both sections commence with an account of false teachers (1 Timothy 1:3-11; 1 Timothy 4:1-5). This is followed by a requirement for faithful service (Paul in 1 Timothy 1:12-15; Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:6-11) and for an example to be given to others (by Paul in 1 Timothy 1:16; by Timothy in 1... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 4:7

‘And exercise yourself towards godliness,’ Taking a metaphor from athletics, Paul applies it to the spiritual life (compare 1 Corinthians 9:25-27). Timothy must exercise himself towards godliness, which Paul defines as our fulfilling our responsibility towards God by setting our hope on the living God (1 Timothy 4:10). That is, all his efforts must be put into pleasing the living God and proclaiming and establishing the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 4:7-11

Timothy Has Rather To Exercise Himself Towards Godliness And Set His Hope On The Living God (1 Timothy 4:7-11 ). Rather than being an ascetic Timothy is to ‘exercise’ himself towards godliness, which signifies having his heart set on the living God (1 Timothy 4:10). This reference to the living God takes us back to 1 Timothy 3:15. His responsibility is to be to the church of the living God, which is the mainstay of the truth. Paul does not want him simply to exchange one set of rules for... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 4:6-16

1 Timothy 4:6-Nehemiah : . The Treatment Needed.— Timothy must meet the errors by ( a) personal example ( 1 Timothy 4:6-2 Samuel :) and ( b) diligent teaching ( 1 Timothy 4:11-Nehemiah :).In combating error he must continually draw his strength from the doctrinal statements hitherto followed by him. The silly myths that are current ( 1 Timothy 1:3-1 Kings : *) he must reject. The fully-developed asceticism of 1 Timothy 4:3 lies in the future, but in these fables its principles are already... read more

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