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Friday, July 18th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Read the Bible

Good News Translation

1 Timothy 4:7

But keep away from those godless legends, which are not worth telling. Keep yourself in training for a godly life.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Commandments;   Doctrines;   Fable;   Minister, Christian;   Sarcasm;   Tradition;   Thompson Chain Reference - Cultivate Gifts;   Exercise, Spiritual;   Fables;   Gifts;   Godliness;   Righteousness-Unrighteousness;   Spiritual;   Spirituality;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Fable;   Faith;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Perseverance;   Teacher;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Discipline;   Godly, Godliness;   Myth;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Fable;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - John the Apostle;   Timothy, the First Epistle to;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Babbler;   Godlessness;   Godliness;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Church Government;   Fable;   Games;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Abstinence;   Education (2);   Fable;   Gnosticism;   Godliness;   Holiness Purity;   Ignatius;   Myth;   Philosophy;   Profane ;   Profaning, Profanity;   Timothy and Titus Epistles to;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Fable,;   Godliness;   Wives' Fables, Old;   41 Common Unclean Defiled Profane;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Fable;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Exercise;   Fable;   Games;   Profane;   Senses;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness.
King James Version (1611)
But refuse prophane and olde wiues fables, and exercise thy selfe rather vnto godlinesse.
King James Version
But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
English Standard Version
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;
New American Standard Bible
But stay away from worthless stories that are typical of old women. Rather, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;
New Century Version
But do not follow foolish stories that disagree with God's truth, but train yourself to serve God.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;
Legacy Standard Bible
But refuse godless myths fit only for old women. On the other hand, train yourself for the purpose of godliness,
Berean Standard Bible
But reject irreverent and silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.
Contemporary English Version
Don't have anything to do with worthless, senseless stories. Work hard to be truly religious.
Complete Jewish Bible
But refuse godless bubbe-meises, and exercise yourself in godliness.
Darby Translation
But profane and old wives' fables avoid, but exercise thyself unto piety;
Easy-to-Read Version
People tell silly stories that don't agree with God's truth. Don't follow what these stories teach. But teach yourself to be devoted to God.
Geneva Bible (1587)
But cast away prophane, and olde wiues fables, and exercise thy selfe vnto godlinesse.
George Lamsa Translation
Refuse foolish and old wives fables, and train yourself in righteousness.
Lexham English Bible
But reject those worthless myths told by elderly women, and train yourself for godliness.
Literal Translation
But refuse the profane and old-womanish tales. And exercise yourself to godliness.
Amplified Bible
But have nothing to do with irreverent folklore and silly myths. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness [keeping yourself spiritually fit].
American Standard Version
but refuse profane and old wives' fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness:
Bible in Basic English
But have nothing to do with unclean and foolish stories. Give yourself training in religion:
Hebrew Names Version
But refuse profane and old wives' fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness.
International Standard Version
Do not have anything to do with godless myths and fables of old women, but train yourself in godliness.1 Timothy 1:4; 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16,23; 4:4; Titus 1:14; Hebrews 5:14;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
But from the foolish stories of old women abstain; and exercise thy soul in righteousness.
Murdock Translation
But the silly tales of old women, shun thou; and occupy thyself with righteousness.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
But cast away prophane & old wiues fables: Exercise thy selfe rather vnto godlynesse.
English Revised Version
but refuse profane and old wives’ fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness:
World English Bible
But refuse profane and old wives' fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
But avoid profane and old wives fables, and exercise thyself unto godliness.
Weymouth's New Testament
But worldly stories, fit only for credulous old women, have nothing to do with.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But eschewe thou vncouenable fablis, and elde wymmenus fablis; haunte thi silf to pitee.
Update Bible Version
but refuse profane and old wives' fables. And exercise yourself to godliness:
Webster's Bible Translation
But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself [rather] to godliness.
New English Translation
But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness.
New King James Version
But reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
New Living Translation
Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.
New Life Bible
Have nothing to do with foolish stories old women tell. Keep yourself growing in God-like living.
New Revised Standard
Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives' tales. Train yourself in godliness,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
But, from the profane and old-wives' stories, excuse thyself, and be training thyself unto godliness;
Douay-Rheims Bible
But avoid foolish and old wives fables: and exercise thyself unto godliness.
Revised Standard Version
Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourself in godliness;
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
But cast awaye vngostly and olde wyves fables.Exercyse thy silfe vnto godlines.
Young's Literal Translation
and the profane and old women's fables reject thou, and exercise thyself unto piety,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
As for vngoostly and olde wyuesh fables, cast them awaye, but exercyse thy selfe vnto godlynes.
Mace New Testament (1729)
as for prophane and groundless fables, reject them.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Don't pay any attention to old wives' tales and campfire stories that come from human lips, rather, train yourselves to ride like God wants you to.

Contextual Overview

6 If you give these instructions to the believers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, as you feed yourself spiritually on the words of faith and of the true teaching which you have followed. 7 But keep away from those godless legends, which are not worth telling. Keep yourself in training for a godly life. 8 Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way, because it promises life both for the present and for the future. 9 This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed. 10 We struggle and work hard, because we have placed our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all and especially of those who believe. 11 Give them these instructions and these teachings. 12 Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity. 13 Until I come, give your time and effort to the public reading of the Scriptures and to preaching and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is in you, which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things and devote yourself to them, in order that your progress may be seen by all.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

refuse: 1 Timothy 1:4, 1 Timothy 6:20, 2 Timothy 2:16, 2 Timothy 2:23, 2 Timothy 4:4, Titus 1:14, Titus 3:9

exercise: 1 Timothy 1:4, 1 Timothy 2:10, 1 Timothy 3:16, 1 Timothy 6:11, Acts 24:16, 2 Timothy 3:12, Titus 2:12, Hebrews 5:14, 2 Peter 1:5-8

Reciprocal: Proverbs 19:27 - General Matthew 15:9 - teaching 1 Corinthians 3:12 - wood Ephesians 4:14 - tossed 1 Timothy 6:3 - the doctrine Hebrews 12:11 - exercised 2 Peter 1:6 - godliness 2 Peter 1:16 - we have

Cross-References

Genesis 3:16
And he said to the woman, "I will increase your trouble in pregnancy and your pain in giving birth. In spite of this, you will still have desire for your husband, yet you will be subject to him."
Genesis 4:6
Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why that scowl on your face?
Genesis 4:8
Then Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out in the fields." When they were out in the fields, Cain turned on his brother and killed him.
Genesis 4:9
The Lord asked Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" He answered, "I don't know. Am I supposed to take care of my brother?"
Genesis 4:10
Then the Lord said, "Why have you done this terrible thing? Your brother's blood is crying out to me from the ground, like a voice calling for revenge.
Genesis 4:11
You are placed under a curse and can no longer farm the soil. It has soaked up your brother's blood as if it had opened its mouth to receive it when you killed him.
Genesis 4:12
If you try to grow crops, the soil will not produce anything; you will be a homeless wanderer on the earth."
Genesis 4:13
And Cain said to the Lord , "This punishment is too hard for me to bear.
Genesis 19:21
He answered, "All right, I agree. I won't destroy that town.
Numbers 32:23
But if you do not keep your promise, I warn you that you will be sinning against the Lord . Make no mistake about it; you will be punished for your sin.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

But refuse profane and old wives' fables,.... Either Jewish ones, the traditions of the elders; or those of the Gnostics, concerning God, angels, and the creation of the world; or those doctrines of demons, and which forbad marriage, and commanded abstinence from meats before mentioned; which are called profane, because impious and ungodly, and old wives' fables, because foolish and impertinent; and which were to be rejected with abhorrence and contempt, in comparison of the words of faith and good doctrine.

And exercise thyself rather unto godliness; either to the doctrines which are according to godliness, and tend to godly edification, which the above fables did not, study these, meditate on them, digest them, and deliver them to others; or to a godly life and conversation, exercise thyself, to have a conscience void of offence to God and men; or to internal religion, inward godliness, the exercise of the graces of faith, hope, love, fear, reverence, humility, &c. or rather to the spiritual worship of God, according to his will, not in a formal, cold, and customary way, but with the heart, in truth and sincerity, in faith, and with fervency and purity.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

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; 2 Timothy 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.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 7. 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 1 Corinthians 9:24, &c.


 
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