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But refuse profane and old wives` fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness.
Verse Takeaways
1
Avoid Worthless Myths
Paul instructs Timothy to "refuse" what commentators describe as "profane and old wives' fables." Scholars identify these not as necessarily blasphemous, but as silly, non-religious stories, likely referring to complex Jewish legends or early Gnostic myths. The instruction is to actively reject and not waste time on spiritual theories that are distracting and unhelpful for a life of faith.
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Book Overview
1 Timothy
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8
18th Century
Presbyterian
But refuse. That is, refuse to pay attention to them, or reject them. Do not consider them of sufficient importance to occupy your time.…
Refuse (παραιτου). Present middle imperative second person singular of παραιτεω, old verb, to ask of one and then to beg off from …
19th Century
Anglican
But refuse profane and old wives’ fables.—Here Timothy, who was previously (see 1 Timothy 4:1–6) warned again…
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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…
16th Century
Protestant
Exercise thyself to godliness. After instructing him about doctrine and what it should be, he now also admonishes him about the kind of ex…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
But refuse profane and old wives' fables Either Jewish ones, the traditions of the elders; or those of the Gnostics,…
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Outward acts of self-denial benefit little. What will it benefit us to mortify the body, if we do not mortify sin? No diligence in mere outward thi…
13th Century
Catholic
Previously, the Apostle rejected superstitious abstinence from goods. Here, he commands Timothy to present this teaching to the brothers. He first …