1 Timothy 4:6-8
New English Translation
6 By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.[b] 7 But reject those myths[c] fit only for the godless and gullible,[d] and train yourself for godliness. 8 For “physical exercise[e] has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”
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- 1 Timothy 4:6 tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” or “fellow Christians” as here (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelphoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited).
- 1 Timothy 4:6 sn By pointing out…you have followed. This verse gives a theme statement for what follows in the chapter about Timothy’s ministry. The situation in Ephesus requires him to be a good servant of Christ, and he will do that by sound teaching and by living an exemplary life himself.
- 1 Timothy 4:7 sn Those myths refer to legendary tales characteristic of the false teachers in Ephesus and Crete. See parallels in 1 Tim 1:4; 2 Tim 4:4; and Titus 1:14.
- 1 Timothy 4:7 tn Grk “the godless and old-wifely myths.”
- 1 Timothy 4:8 tn Grk “bodily training” (using the noun form of the verb “train” in v. 7b).
1 Timothy 4:6-8
English Standard Version
A Good Servant of Christ Jesus
6 (A)If you put these things before the brothers,[a] you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have (B)followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, (C)silly myths. Rather (D)train yourself for godliness; 8 for while (E)bodily training is of some value, godliness (F)is of value in every way, as (G)it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
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- 1 Timothy 4:6 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters
1 Timothy 4:6-8
New International Version
6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith(A) and of the good teaching that you have followed.(B) 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;(C) rather, train yourself to be godly.(D) 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,(E) holding promise for both the present life(F) and the life to come.(G)
Footnotes
- 1 Timothy 4:6 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
1 Timothy 4:6-8
King James Version
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
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.
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1 Timothy 4:6-8
American Standard Version
6 If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now: 7 but refuse profane and old wives’ fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness: 8 for bodily exercise is profitable [a]for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come.
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- 1 Timothy 4:8 Or, for little
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