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true godliness

1 Timothy 4:6-16 (JDV)

1 Timothy 4:6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the good teaching that you have followed.

1 Timothy 4:7 But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness

1 Timothy 4:8 because the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is about to come.

1 Timothy 4:9 This saying is reliable and deserves full acceptance.

1 Timothy 4:10 For this reason we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all humans, especially of those who believe.

1 Timothy 4:11 Direct and teach these things.

1 Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in care, in faith, and in purity.

1 Timothy 4:13 Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching.

1 Timothy 4:14 Don’t neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.

1 Timothy 4:15 Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all.

1 Timothy 4:16 Pay close attention to yourself and what you have been taught; persevere in these things, because in doing this you will rescue both yourself and your hearers.

true godliness

Paul had warned Timothy that false teachers would infiltrate the church and teach people to pursue godliness the wrong way — through self-discipline and abstaining from good things like food and marriage.

There is a true godliness, and it does take training, but it is not based on self-discipline. It focuses on keeping faith in God’s word, hope in God’s promised deliverance, and practice of the Spiritual Gifts he has given us.

True godliness does not consist in making oneself better. It trusts in the one who said he is making all things new.

LORD, help us to live truly godly lives so that others will come to know you — the only source of godliness.