Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy 4:7 - The Call to Godly Self-Discipline

The pastor must “discipline” himself for the purpose of godliness. Discipline is from gumnazo, from which we get our words gymnasium and gymnastics. It means to train or to exercise and references rigorous, strenuous, self-sacrificing training an athlete undergoes. The very idea of disciplining himself means that it doesn’t just happen naturally but that it requires effort that is often unpleasant. No pastor will be effective without personal godliness, since beneficial ministry flows out of a godly life. Oswald Chambers: “Spiritual ends can be achieved only by spiritual men who employ spiritual methods.”