Train for Godliness

After being released from his first imprisonment, (Acts 28:30), Paul revisited several of the cities in which he had ministered, including Ephesus. Leaving Timothy behind there to deal with problems that had arisen in the Ephesian church, such as false doctrine, disorder in worship, the need for qualified leaders, and materialism. Paul went on to Macedonia, from where he wrote Timothy this letter to help him carry out his task in the church.

Paul writes to Timothy,

1 Timothy 4:7 NKJV

7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.

Profane and old wives fables:

Paul appealed for Timothy to reject the empty ideas of the heretics.

He described the teaching of the Ephesian heretics as “godless” and as “old wives’ tales.”

The former term suggests something that is religiously bankrupt.

The latter term describes an idea that is frivolous and not worthy of serious attention.

1, 2 Timothy, Titus (1) Facing Falsehood (4:6–10)

Paul appealed for Timothy to reject the empty ideas of the heretics. He described the teaching of the Ephesian heretics as “godless” and as “old wives’ tales.” The former term suggests something that is religiously bankrupt. The latter term describes an idea that is frivolous and not worthy of serious attention.

“and exercise yourself toward godliness”

Paul spent about 3 years in Ephesus

Great coliseum in which the Olympic Games where sometimes held.

Paul used athletic analogies and metaphors.

I believe Paul new something about exercise.

He would certainly have to have been in pretty good health to travel as he did. He didn’t ride a horse or even a donkey.

It took a rugged individual to cover the ground that he covered throughout the Roman empire.

Paul’s emphasis on godliness rather than physical exercise is because the Ephesians were people given over to games and athletics.

He’s not saying bodily exercise is wrong, He’s saying, “Lets hold things in perspective.”

If you want to grow in Christ you have to put forth effort. You and I have to apply ourselves in order to grow spiritually. We can’t just try.... we have to train....(Eugene Wilson)

Paul urged Timothy to concentrate his energy on vigorous training for genuine godliness.

For Paul genuine godliness involved both right belief and obedient action.

Godly habits would not appear without determined human purpose and effort.

Timothy was to persist in that Christian discipline which would prepare him for God’s highest purposes.

1 Timothy 4:7 NKJV

7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) 1214 γυμνάζω

1214 γυμνάζω (gymnazō): vb.; ≡ Str 1128; TDNT 1.775

1. LN 88.88 discipline oneself (1Ti 4:7; Heb 5:14+);

2. LN 36.11 train (Heb 12:11; 2Pe 2:14+), note: some of these verses and entries are interchangeable

1215 γυμνασία (gymnasia), ας (as), ἡ (hē): n.fem.; ≡ Str 1129; TDNT 1.775—LN 50.7 physical exercise (suggesting a training for competition), (1Ti 4:8+)

1216 γυμνητεύω (gymnēteu

Hebrews 5:14 NKJV

14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Philippians 3:13 NKJV

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

What has gotten me this far is not enough. I’ve got to keep reaching forward.

I’ve got to build off of where I’m at right now and I’ve got to continue to grow.

3. True Fellowship Involves Truly Caring.

The New King James Version Chapter 11

13 ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, 14 then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. 15 And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.’

Chester Wright.... Wed Morning Part 1 PaS Annapolis 2020.

until he “rain righteousness”

Hosea 10:12 NKJV

12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.

I have to pray until I die so that I can pray until He lives.

Luke 8:14–15 NKJV

14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

There is too much that we do without plowing.

Ground is broken up in the Spirit so that the resistance is removed.

1 Timothy 4:9–16 NKJV

9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach. 12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.