It’s Time to Train

1 Timothy 4:7–8
1 Timothy 4:7–8 (ESV)
“Rather train yourself for godliness; 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. Training Is Your Personal Responsibility

1 Timothy 4:7–8 (ESV) “Rather train yourself for godliness”
Godliness is Passion for God in Action

2 Corinthians 5:9 (ESV)
“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.”

The call to “train yourself to be godly” is highly expressive. The word train is a translation of the Greek word gumnos, which is where we get the word gymnasium.

2. Training Requires Priority

1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV) “For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way…”
1 Timothy 4:7a (ESV)
“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths.”

“There are contemporary analogies, for example, in conspiracy theories, so-called urban legends, and endless issue-oriented (and often polemical) blogs and websites… Paul warns against ‘myths’ that are vile or profane and foolish or silly.”
— Robert W. Yarbrough, The Pillar New Testament Commentary

“O to behold the Glory of Christ! Herein would I live, herein would I die, herein would I dwell... until all things here below become as dead and deformed things…”
— John Owen

3. Training Has a Promised Reward

1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV) “…godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
Godliness adds unlimited value to your life.

1 Timothy 4:8–9 (ESV)
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.”

Psalm 42:1 (ESV)
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.”

Philippians 3:8–10a (NIV)
“I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord… I want to know Christ…”