Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Timothy 4:7

"but refuse profane and old wives` fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness:" — 1 Timothy 4:7 (ASV)

Timothy is to avoid “godless myths” and tall “tales” such as elderly women love to tell children. That is the way Paul describes the Jewish legends of his day (cf. Titus 1:14). Rather, Timothy is admonished to “train” (GK 1214) himself to be godly. “Physical training” clearly refers to athletic discipline, and it does have some value, at least for life on this earth. But spiritual exercise is far more important, for it has value for eternity—“holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”