TRAIN YOURSELF TO BE GODLY

Passage: 1 Timothy 4:1-8

Key verse: 7b,8

NIV

4 The Spirit(A) clearly says that in later times(B) some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits(C) and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.(D) 3 They forbid people to marry(E) and order them to abstain from certain foods,(F) which God created(G) to be received with thanksgiving(H) by those who believe and who know the truth. 4 For everything God created is good,(I) and nothing is to be rejected(J) if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God(K) and prayer.

6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith(L) and of the good teaching that you have followed.(M) 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;(N) rather, train yourself to be godly.(O) 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,(P) holding promise for both the present life(Q) and the life to come.(R)

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Timothy 4:6 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Some Will Depart from the Faith

4 Now (A)the Spirit expressly says that (B)in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to (C)deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of (D)liars whose consciences are seared, 3 (E)who forbid marriage and (F)require abstinence from foods (G)that God created (H)to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For (I)everything created by God is good, and (J)nothing is to be rejected if it is (K)received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy (L)by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

6 (M)If you put these things before the brothers,[a] you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have (N)followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, (O)silly myths. Rather (P)train yourself for godliness; 8 for while (Q)bodily training is of some value, godliness (R)is of value in every way, as (S)it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Timothy 4:6 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Everything God created is good (1-5)

We live in the times Paul warned Timothy about. Some abandon the faith and follow the teachings of hypocritical liars whose consciences are dead. False asceticism is not godliness. But it sometimes appeals to sincere people who do not know God's way. The Bible teaches that God created a good world and gave us good gifts to be enjoyed with thankful hearts.

2. Godliness has value for all things (7-8)

We should not be fooled by godless men who say and do things that sound good. A godly man has God's spirit in his heart. He knows and loves Jesus. We must not listen to godless men. We must train ourselves to be godly by prayer, Bible study and obedience. Our thought world must be under Christ's control. Training in godliness requires effort, just as physical training requires effort and discipline. Godliness has value now and forever.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the good world you made for us. Help me to train myself to be godly.

One Word: Train yourself to be godly