SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:7
Mas las fbulas profanas y de viejas, desecha, y ejercítate para la piedad.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:7
Verse 7. But refuse profane and old wives' fables] This seems to refer particularly to the Jews, whose Talmudical writings are stuffed with the most ridiculous and profane fables that ever disgraced the human intellect. It may with equal propriety be applied to the legends of the Romish Church. Let any man read the Aurea Legenda, and he will find of profane and old wives' fables what may stand, with considerable propriety, column for column with the Talmud. See Joseline's Life of St. Patrick for miracles, without rhyme or reason, abundantly more numerous and more stupendous than all the necessary ones wrought by Jesus Christ and his apostles. This is enough to persuade a man that the Spirit of God had these very corruptions and this corrupt Church particularly in view.
Exercise thyself rather unto godliness.] To understand this expression it is necessary to know that the apostle alludes here to the gymnastic exercises among the Greeks, which were intended as a preparation for, their contests at the public games. They did this in order to obtain a corruptible or fading crown, i. e, a chaplet of leaves, which was the reward of those who conquered in those games; Timothy was to exercise himself unto godliness, that he might be prepared for the kingdom of heaven, and there receive a crown that fadeth not away. See the notes on 1 Cor. ix. 24, &c.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. But refuse profane and old wives' fables , etc.] Either Jewish ones, the traditions of the elders; or those of the Gnostics, concerning God, angels, and the creation of the world; or those doctrines of demons, and which forbad marriage, and commanded abstinence from meats before mentioned; which are called profane, because impious and ungodly, and old wives' fables, because foolish and impertinent; and which were to be rejected with abhorrence and contempt, in comparison of the words of faith and good doctrine. And exercise thyself rather unto godliness ; either to the doctrines which are according to godliness, and tend to godly edification, which the above fables did not, study these, meditate on them, digest them, and deliver them to others; or to a godly life and conversation, exercise thyself, to have a conscience void of offence to God and men; or to internal religion, inward godliness, the exercise of the graces of faith, hope, love, fear, reverence, humility, etc. or rather to the spiritual worship of God, according to his will, not in a formal, cold, and customary way, but with the heart, in truth and sincerity, in faith, and with fervency and purity.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-10 - Outward acts of self-denial profit little. What will it avail us to mortify the body, if we do not mortify sin? No diligence in mer outward things could be of much use. The gain of godliness lies much in the promise; and the promises to godly people relate partly to the lif that now is, but especially to the life which is to come: though we lose for Christ, we shall not lose by him. If Christ be thus the Saviour of all men, then much more will he be the Rewarder of those wh seek and serve him; he will provide well for those whom he has made ne creatures.
Greek Textus Receptus
τους 3588 δε 1161 βεβηλους 952 και 2532 γραωδεις 1126 μυθους 3454 παραιτου 3868 5737 γυμναζε 1128 5720 δε 1161 σεαυτον 4572 προς 4314 ευσεβειαν 2150
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. Shun (paraitou). Comp. l Timothy v. 11; 2 Tim. ii. 23; Tit. iii. 10. o P. The primary meaning is to ask as a favor (Mark xv. 6; Hebrews xii. 19). Mostly in this sense in LXX, as 1 Sam. xx. 6, 28. To deprecate; to prevent the consequences of an act by protesting against and disavowing it, as 3 Macc. vi. 27. To beg off, get excused, as Luke xiv. 18, 19; 4 Macc. xi. 2. To decline, refuse, avoid, as here, Acts xxv. 11; Hebrews xii. 25.
Profane. See on ch. i. 9, and comp. ch. vi. 20; 2 Tim. ii. 16; Hebrews xii. 16.
Old wives' (grawdeiv). N.T.o . o LXX. From grauv an old woman, and eidov form.
Fables (muqouv). See on ch. i. 4, and comp. 2 Tim. iv. 4; Tit. i. 14; 2 Peter 1. 16.
Exercise (gumnaze). o P. Only here in Pastorals. Heb. v. 14; xii. 11; 2 Peter ii. 14. From gumnov naked. In Class. Of training naked in gymnastic exercises; also, metaphorically, of training for or practicing an art or profession.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
4:7 {Refuse} (paraitou). Present middle imperative second person singular of paraitew, old verb, to ask of one and qen to beg off from one as in #Lu 14:18f.; Ac 25:11; 1Ti 4:7; 5:11; Tit 3:10; 2Ti 2:23. {Profane} (bebelous). See #1:9. {Old wives' fables} (grawdeis muqous). On muqos, see #1:4. grawdeis, late word (Strabo, Galen) from graus, old woman, and eidos (look, appearance). Such as old women tell to children like the Gnostic aeons. {Exercise thyself} (gumnaze seauton). Present active imperative of gumnazw, originally to exercise naked (gumnos). Old and common verb, but in N.T. only here and #Heb 5:14; 12:11.
