1 Timothy 4:8

Plain English Version

You sometimes hear people say, “If we train our bodies, we will get fit so that we can play sport and live better lives, and that is good for us now. But if we train our spirits to respect God and take notice of him, we will not only live better lives now, but we will live a lot better in the life that will come after we die, just like God promised us. That is a lot better for us.” Well, those words are true, and everybody has to follow that message.

Cross References

Matthew 6:33

Think, instead, about the things that are good for God’s family, and try to do the good things that God wants you to do. Then God will give you all those other things that you need.

Romans 8:28

And we know too that God picked us out to be his people, to love him and to do whatever he wants, so he makes everything work out good for us.

1 Corinthians 3:22

Yes, he gives you his workers to help you. He gave you me, and he gave you Apollos, and he gave you Peter. We are all here to help you. God uses everything to help you. If you live, or if you die, God will make it good for you. He will use things that happen now to help you, and he will use things that will happen later, to help you.

1 Corinthians 8:8

But really, it doesn’t matter if we eat that food or not. If we eat it, we will not get anything special, and if we don’t eat it, we will not miss out on anything. You see, no food can help us be close friends with God.

1 Timothy 4:7

Don’t take any notice of those silly stories that are not true, stories that lie about God. But instead, train yourself to respect God and take notice of him.

1 Timothy 6:3

Some people teach things that are wrong. They teach things that are different from the good things that our leader, Jesus Christ, taught. He taught things that help people live in a way that makes God happy.

1 Timothy 6:5

Then they keep on arguing with each other. You see, they listened to those wrong teachers and those teachers tricked them. Those wrong teachers made them think the wrong way, so they don’t really know the true message. They think that if they follow God’s way they will get a lot of money, but they are wrong.

1 Timothy 6:6

It is like this. At the time we were born, we didn’t bring any money with us into this life. And when we die, we can’t take any money with us. So while we live in this life, if we have enough food and clothes, we can be really happy. So now, if you follow God’s way, and if you don’t try to get a lot of money for yourself, you will be very happy, and you will get a lot out of life.

2 Timothy 3:5

They will reckon they respect God, but they will reckon that he hasn’t got any power. So I’m telling you, keep right away from those people.

Titus 3:8

That is all very true. I want you to teach those things strongly. I want you to be sure that people understand those things. Then the people that believe God’s message will think more about doing good things. And those good things will help everyone.

1 Samuel 15:22

But Samuel answered, “God wants people to listen to his word properly and do what he says. He doesn’t want us to do wrong things and then burn meat or fat to give it to him. He really likes it when we do what he says.