6 “If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 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. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.” (1 Timothy 4:6–9 (ESV)
What did the Apostle Paul mean when he wrote, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance?” Variations of this expression occur throughout, and only in, the Pastoral Epistles of Paul.
1The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV)
“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” (1 Timothy 3:1 (ESV)
“The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;” (2 Timothy 2:11 (ESV)
“The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” (Titus 3:8 (ESV)
First, there is a general meaning applicable to all of these mentioned biblical texts. Second, there is a specific meaning related to today’s featured biblical text. Our goal is to understand both intended meanings.
The word saying (λόγος; logos) refers to the spoken or written word. It is a message, statement or an announcement. To be trustworthy (πιστὸς; pistos) means to be dependable, reliable and faithful. Deserving (ἄξιος; axios) means worthy, valuable and proper. Full (πάσης; pases) means to possess completeness. Acceptance (ἀποδοχῆς; apodoches) means to believe something to be true.
Within the overall scope of Scripture, everything the Bible says is trustworthy and serving of full acceptance. Within the particular scope of Paul’s first letter to Timothy, and in the immediate context of 4:1-8, what the apostle wrote was trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.
“A problem arises over the trustworthy saying in v 9, for it is not certain whether this relates to v 8 or v 10. V 10 contains the more theological statement and could well have formed a proverbial saying. On the other hand, it has been pointed out that the second half of v 8 has the nature of a proverbial statement and that v 10 is really a development of this. The two verbs labour and strive are both strong verbs and suggest that godliness deserves the utmost effort in its pursuit. [1]
The trustworthy saying formula can point forward, as in 1:15, or backward, as in Titus 3:8. Here it is probably best to see it as reinforcing the proverbial impact of 1 Timothy 4:8.[2]
“Over against the widely proclaimed value of physical training, the church confessed its faith in the infinitely superior value of spiritual training. Hence, with reference to the significant declaration which we have just studied—namely, “While physical training is of some benefit … godly living is of benefit in every way, as it holds promise of life both for the present and for the future”—believers were constantly saying, Reliable is that saying and worthy of full acceptance.[3]
God says the pursuit of godliness is a reliable, worthy, complete and truthful goal to pursue in this life as a believer in Christ. All worship, relationships, ministry, and service are to be rooted in this pursuit.
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed and godly day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] Donald Guthrie, “1 Timothy,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 1300.
[2] A. Duane Litfin, “1 Timothy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 740.
[3] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 152.
His Word Today 