But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
The word godliness is, I think, one of those that we tend to think we know but is very likely above us. It occurs 14 times in the Bible, 15 if we count the one time the Greek is translated “holiness.” It comes from a composite meaning “well reverent” or “good worship.” I think we usually define it as “godlikeness.” While God is reshaping us to be Christ-like, godlike sounds to me a bit like Lucifer.
There is some profit in thinking of it as good worship. “Exercise thyself rather unto [good worship].” Good worship isn’t something that happens lazily. The allusion is to the Greek athletes. The best of them were those who prepared best before the competition. Good worship isn’t as much what people see as what happens before what people see.
The best example of godliness, the model that will be the most beneficial to those whose lives we are concerned with, is the example that they never see.
People will benefit most from seeing the results of what they never see. So what they never see is where our personal focus ought to be.
To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.
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