John Calvin Commentary 1 Timothy 4:7

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

Exercise thyself to godliness. After instructing him about doctrine and what it should be, he now also admonishes him about the kind of example he should give to others. He says that he should be employed in “godliness;” for when he says, Exercise thyself, he means that this is his proper occupation, his labor, his chief care. It is as if he had said, “There is no reason why you should weary yourself needlessly about other matters; you will do what is of the highest importance if you devote yourself, with all your zeal and with all your ability, to godliness alone.” By the word godliness, he means the spiritual worship of God which consists in purity of conscience. This is still more evident from what follows, when it is contrasted with bodily exercise.