1 Timothy 4:8-16

4:8 For “physical exercise ¹  has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.” 4:9 This saying ²  is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. 4:10 In fact this is why ³  we work hard and struggle, ⁴  because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, ⁵  especially of believers.

4:11 Command and teach these things. 4:12 Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, ⁶  and purity. 4:13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, ⁷  to exhortation, to teaching. 4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, ⁸  given to you and confirmed by prophetic words ⁹  when the elders laid hands on you. ¹⁰  4:15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress. ¹¹  4:16 Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. ¹²  Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

¹ tn Grk “bodily training” (using the noun form of the verb “train” in v. 7b).

² tn Grk “the saying.”

³ tn Grk “for toward this,” denoting purpose. The conjunction “for” gives confirmation or emphasis to 1 Tim 4:8-9.

⁴ tc A number of mss (א² D 0241^vid 1739 1881 Ï latt sy co) read ὀνειδιζόμεθα (oneidizomeqa, “suffer reproach”), while the reading behind the translation (ἀγωνιζόμεθα, agwnizomeqa) is supported by א* A C F G K Ψ 33 1175 al. The reading from the verb ἀγωνίζομαι (agwnizomai) has slightly better external credentials, but this verb is found in the corpus Paulinum five other times, twice in the Pastorals (1 Tim 6:12; 2 Tim 4:7). The verb ὀνειδίζω (oneidizw) occurs only once in Paul (Rom 15:3), not at all in the Pastorals. In this instance, transcriptional and intrinsic evidence might seem to be opposed to each other. In such cases, the external evidence should be given more weight. With some hesitation, ἀγωνιζόμεθα is preferred.

⁵ tn The plural Greek term ἀνθρώπων (anqrwpwn) is used here in a generic sense, referring to both men and women, and is thus translated “people.”

⁶ tn Or “faith.”

⁷ tn Grk “reading.”

⁸ tn Grk “in you.”

⁹ tn Grk “which was given to you through prophecy.” Here as in 2:15 the preposition “through” denotes not “means” but accompanying circumstances: “accompanied by prophecy.”

¹⁰ tn Grk “with the imposition of the hands of the presbytery” (i.e., the council of elders).

¹¹ tn Grk “that your progress may be evident to all.”

¹² tn Grk “about yourself and your teaching.”