Train Yourself for Godliness (1 Timothy 4:7-10)

By matthewbroadway

We’ve been thinking about putting God’s word in front of God’s people, and the effect that sort of ministry will have on us as we are trained up in the word as a byproduct of our work. Today we’ll continue Paul’s train of thought and consider something to avoid and something to seek after aggressively.

Avoid Nonsense

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths… (1 Timothy 4:7a)

Beg off, decline to engage with irreverent, silly myths. Anything that is worldly, godless, improper, or profane is not worth your energy.

There will be subjects and conversations you’ll need to ignore, politely refrain from commenting on, or possibly even shut down. You don’t have to comment on everything people want you to comment on. You don’t have to engage in every subject.

Timothy needed to have nothing to do with the myths, endless genealogies, speculations, vain discussions, and deceitful teachings floating around the Ephesian church. Even though these were things that had a false air of spirituality and importance, they diverted people from the main and plain things of scripture.

We’ll need to identify and avoid similar silliness in our churches. It might be distracting nonsense on social media, conspiracy theories, or fringe speculations about things that God purposefully leaves mysterious. Avoid things that do not spring from “the words of the faith and of the good doctrine you have follow” and do not move you and your people toward greater godliness.

Train for Godliness

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness… (1 Timothy 4:7)

The phrase “train yourself” means to commit to naked athletic effort, stripped of every hindrance.

Paul was Timothy’s mentor, but Timothy needed to train himself for godliness. Don’t sit around and wait for a perfect mentor. Go ahead and train yourself so that you grow in piety and right inner response to the things of God.

Don’t get distracted by nonsense while your godliness erodes. Godliness atrophies when untrained. Like Timothy, we will need to train ourselves for it, like going to the gym to train our physical bodies.

Training for Godliness is More Valuable Than Training our Bodies

…for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)

It’s not wrong to train your body. It’s somewhat good. It’s of some value. It’s stewardship. It keeps you fit for service. It aids your witness to the world. It gives you longevity in ministry. So don’t use this verse as an excuse to let yourself go physically. Just remember that its value is temporary. It’s profitable now, but not in your eternal future. Eventually the sagging will set in. Eventually you will die and your body will be planted in the earth like a seed to be resurrected in imperishability when Jesus returns.

Godliness is valuable in every way. It’s comprehensively profitable because it’s helpful both now and in your eternal future.

Don’t over-emphasize physical fitness. Don’t under-emphasize spiritual fitness. It’s good to be physically strong. It’s better to be spiritually strong. Don’t be known for your huge biceps. Be known for your huge godliness.

You Can Take this To the Bank

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. (1 Timothy 4:9)

This is a faithful, reliable, true statement. It’s worthy of your full approval. You can say a hearty “Amen!” to it.

What Does it Look Like in Practice?

For to this end we toil and strive… (1 Timothy 4:10a)

Training yourself for godliness is not easy and will not happen by accident. It’s exhausting labor. It’s agonizing struggle.

Gathering clues from the rest of 1 Timothy, it’s:

Abstaining from vain discussions the way a physically healthy person abstains from Little Debbie cakes
Studying God’s word for understanding
Holding on to the faith and a good conscience

It’s keeping above reproach, building godliness into specific areas of life the way a body builder builds up various muscles in the gym:

Marital faithfulness
Sober-mindedness
Self-control
Respectability
Hospitality
Teaching ability
Sobriety
Gentleness
Generosity
Household management
Dignity
Parental assertion
Humility
Reputation

Where will you do this hard work? Your study is your gym. As you do the hard work of putting “these things before the brothers,” you will be “being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:6).

Why Put in So Much Effort?

…because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially those who believe. (1 Timothy 4:10b)

We toil and strive for godliness because we believe in God. Like cross country runner training in active anticipation of a meet, we train in active anticipation of eternity living with the living God.

Practice What You Preach

This week, do the work of studying in preparation or every preaching, teaching, counseling, discipling opportunity. But go beyond that and do the work of applying and responding to the scripture you’re studying thoroughly yourself.

Avoid nonsense this week. Train for godliness instead. Be so focused on your efforts to study and respond deeply and truly to God’s word that you have no time for vanity and silliness. Work so hard on your godliness that your progress is visible to everyone. Do that this week and it’ll be a week well spent.