Godless myths

NORSK
I become very curious when I read what Paul wrote to Timothy in today's verse:

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly..
1 Tim 4:7

The Norwegian versions use ‘ungodly’ myths, I prefer godless. The use of godless is more neutral. I can live in a godless society without it making me godless. Godlessness can be a result of ignorance or lack of knowledge and revelation, while ungodliness in my conception, is a conscious choice. At the same time, I know that it is possible for me to behave ‘ungodly’ (meaning: to act otherwise than Jesus would have done), but an ungodly behavior will not automatically make me "godless."

The issues Paul refers to, are useless additions to the Christian faith, which apparently were discussed in the churches (in this instance at Ephesus). They were discussions about thing like e.g. "endless genealogies" (1). It was probably nothing wrong in the discussions, but Paul regarded them as distractions from the main purpose – they were like “old wives’ tales” or 'empty natter' as the Norwegian translations prefer to use. Paul wants Timothy and the churches to focus on the "advancing God’s work—which is by faith" (1). To be able to that, it is important to concentrate on the essentials:

“train yourself to be godly…”

I will reflect more on this verse tomorrow

‘Manna’ for today:

It is all about a disciplined focus!

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(1) ”…command certain people not … to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 
1 Tim 1:4