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Daily Devotions

1 Timothy

1 Timothy 
Day 
Day 63

"But reject profane and old wives' fables..."

Text: 1 Timothy 4:7

THE OPPOSITE OF “GOOD DOCTRINES”

In order to highlight the significance of “good doctrines” the apostle Paul highlighted the opposite. It was important for Timothy to distinguish between the two very clearly!

“But reject profane and old wives’ fables,
and exercise yourself toward godliness.”

1 Timothy 4:7

1. “But reject”

a) This was a clear command.
b) That which is contrary to good doctrine must be rejected outright!
c) Timothy must keep himself from that which is false.

 

2. “Profane”

a) This word means “irreligious” or “godless”.
b) Rejection of that which is profane is in order.

 

3. Old wives’ tales

a) “Old wives”- this is an idiomatic phrase.
b) It may be translated “Old women”.
c) Tales are literally “myths”.

 

4. “And”

a) This is a conjunction.
b) It is usually used as an adversative conjunction.
c) In this context, it is even stronger and more significant if it is translated as “but”.

 

5. “Exercise”

a) The root of the word “exercise” is where we obtain the English word “gymnast”.
b) A good gymnast has to exercise himself with great discipline and diligence.

 

6. “Toward godliness”

a) Timothy was urged to diligently and consciously exercise towards a clear goal.
b) He ought to look at “godliness” as a wonderful goal.
c) This would not be an easy goal but it is a necessary one.
d) Just as a gymnast must reject that which would hinder progress, so the person who would be a godly man must forsake that which is detrimental.