Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;
Paul has just described the good servant of Christ, fed on the words of the faith. Now he names the opposite — a kind of religious talk Timothy must walk away from — and the training he must take up instead.
The writers below quote an older translation: "refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness." Where they say "piety," the ESV says "godliness."
The Word "Myths"
Start with the word "myths." It does not mean today what it means here:
Morrish Bible DictionaryIn the New Testament the English word does not carry the meaning it often carries today: a made-up incident told to teach some moral truth. Its sense is rather myths, false stories, which in one passage are called "profane and old wives' fables."
Why not treat such stories as harmless extras alongside the truth?
Leslie M. GrantPeople may claim these things are only extra material added to the truth of Christianity. But if it is not Christianity, then it in no way supplements Christianity: it must be refused. "Profane" is simply secular, as distinct from what is sacred, and in fact in contrast to it. We must keep it distinct: it cannot add one single bit to the truth of God. Such fables may sound very flattering, as though they confirmed the truth. But this is one of Satan's most cunning methods. If he can persuade Christians to accept such things, the door is open to any untruth, and the truth itself is soon pushed out.
The Source: Human Imagination
Where do such stories come from? One writer traces them to the human mind reaching past what God has revealed.
Arno Clemens GaebeleinWe have an all-sufficient revelation of God. The human mind speculates and pushes into things unseen, following the theories, imaginations and traditions of men. Such things only lead away from godliness. They lead from foolish questionings into what is profane. A believer has no business to investigate Spiritism or Theosophy, or to occupy his mind with things not made known in the Word of God. We must avoid these things and refuse to have anything to do with them. Otherwise we step onto the enemy's ground and lay ourselves open to his attacks.
What "Refuse" Asks Of You
The word Paul uses for "have nothing to do with" turns up in several other places, and one writer compares them all.
William KellyNow paraitou is said of shunning old wives' fables (1 Tim. 4:7), younger widows, foolish and uninstructed questions, as well as a heretic in another passage. In no case does it mean excommunication — putting someone out of the church. It means simply avoiding things or persons alike.
Godliness, Not Religious Show
Godliness can sound like a call to look religious. It means close to the opposite.
Hamilton SmithPiety is confidence in the known and living God. That confidence leads the believer to walk in the holy fear of God in all the circumstances of life. It recognises and honours God, and is therefore the very opposite of sanctimoniousness that seeks to exalt self.
Train — The Athletic Picture
Paul's word for training is borrowed. One writer shows where it comes from.
William KellyHere, as in 1 Corinthians 9, the picture of "exercise" seems to come from the public games and the training they needed, so familiar to the Greek mind. Timothy was to be in constant training… Piety is spiritual exercise. It demands the same constant watchfulness, the same holy self-restraint, the same complete subjection to the revealed will of God, that training for the games demanded: staying away from every relaxing habit, and daily practice with the goal in view.
Another writer names what the fables feed, and what daily training reaches instead.
Raymond K. CampbellTimothy was told to refuse these fables, which only feed the old sinful nature, and to exercise himself instead to godliness. The Christian needs daily spiritual exercise to be in a healthy state of soul. He must train his members to godliness. He should direct his eyes, ears, mind, tongue, heart, hands and feet in the way of godliness, and exercise them in it daily.
The Danger for Busy Servants
The warning lands hardest on people who are already working for God.
Hamilton SmithOur great "exercise" should be to walk in piety. We may put service first, but there is always the grave danger of being active in service while neglecting personal piety… Like the believers at Corinth, we may at times be very active in service and boast in our gifts. And like them we may be very unspiritual, because we do not exercise ourselves to piety.
Summary
- Refuse — the myths are false stories, and "profane" means secular. What sits outside the sacred adds nothing to it, so you decline it rather than debate it.
- Refuse quietly — Paul's word means avoiding, not putting anyone out. You step away from the talk instead of putting the talker on trial.
- Replace — refusing leaves a gap, and piety fills it. Piety is confidence in the living God that honours Him, not religion that exalts self.
- Rehearse — the picture is an athlete in constant training. Eyes, ears, mind, tongue, hands and feet get their exercise daily.
- Remember — busy servants can be active in service and unspiritual at the same time. Personal training comes first.