Opinions on this verse please

[ayin jade]

6 Having suggested these things to the brothers, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the Words of Faith and by the good doctrine which you have followed.

7  But refuse profane and old-womanish tales, and exercise yourself to godliness.

8  For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the present life, and of that which is to come.

(1 Timothy 4:6-8)

Specifically verse 7:

But refuse profane and old-womanish tales

These profane and old-womanish tales are what? Can that be interpreted to mean any fiction is wrong?

I would appreciate anyone's thoughts on this topic.

[George]

In this particular verse I believe the key is understanding profane -- and its' referring to heathenish -- so it's a link -- to tales since it's linked by the greek word Kai. Old wives -- in greek is actually more like silly old wives stories.

So I would think -- of course I haven't gotten far enough in my greek class to completely understand all the nuances of the passage -- but it's referring to heathenish silly stories that are passed down from generation to generation.

Perhaps Paul is addressing to Timothy at the time all the folklore of the era -- Greek mythodogy -- since Timothy was at Ephesus at the writing of this passage which is very close to Greece.

Your brother in Christ with much agape love,

George

[seraph]

Perhaps it means not to believe superstitions, ghost stories, myths, fables, old wives' tales, good luck charms... things like that, which are untrue.

[ayin jade]

Ah, now that makes a lot of sense. Believing in those things would take the focus off God, off Jesus, as well as just plain being untrue. Thank you George and Seraph for your input on this.

[Adstar]

Perhaps it means not to believe superstitions, ghost stories, myths, fables, old wives' tales, good luck charms... things like that, which are untrue.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes that

[jesussaves]

I believe it is instruction on being devoted to God and not allowing the things of this world to cloud our thinking, which would hinder us from growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, and becoming more godly as we become more Christ like.

[gypc]

1 Timothy 4:1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. 4For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

6If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. 7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

I believe in this context, Paul is talking about how people will change the teaching of God's word into things "taught by demons". Then he gives some examples of what he is talking about but not exclusive to, Forbidding people to marry, abstaining from food and the like.

Think about some of the "New revelations" we have today and look at all the cults that center around their version of bibical teaching.

Just to name a few......

witnessing to gain salvation,

we are little gods,

giving to get a return,

angel telling Joeseph Smith some goofy stuff,

there is no hell,

Jesus was married to Mary M,

Jesus suffered in hell,

God can't do anything without our permission,

generational curses and the curse of poverty on christians............and list goes on.

Obviously Paul had heard some goofy stuff being taught already, he says in verse 8( For physical training is of some value) There were probably some teaching that your body must meet some goal of perfection.

His bottom line in this is to teach people that " godliness has value for all things" and we who are called to teach need to teach the word without all these outside revelations and burdens that so called men of God are trying to put on the backs of God's people.

In his love,

Brian

[Guest yod]

6 Having suggested these things to the brothers, you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the Words of Faith and by the good doctrine which you have followed.

7