Verse from 1 Timothy

“总要弃绝世俗以及老妇的无稽之谈；要操练自己达到敬虔的地步。”

‭‭提摩太前书‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭

“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭

Just as certain regimens are essential for our physical well-being, the same is true spiritually. Paul’s choice of words in 1 Timothy 4:6–13 stresses the value of spiritual discipline for believers in Jesus—regardless of age. The word nourished (v. 6) translates the Greek word entrephō, which means to “educate” or “to nourish through feeding [the mind].” 

The Greek word from which we get our word gymnasium (gymnazō, to exercise vigorously body or mind) is used in verse 7 (“train”) and a noun form in verse 8 (“physical training”). “Godless myths and old wives’ tales” (v. 7) and their contemporary counterparts don’t nourish those who desire to live God-honoring lives. 

Paul’s personal discipline comes into focus in verse 10 where another colorful Greek word is used. The word labor translates the word kopiaō. What’s in view here is labor to the point of fatigue and exhaustion.