1 Timothy 4:7

‘And exercise yourself towards godliness,’

Taking a metaphor from athletics, Paul applies it to the spiritual life (compare 1 Corinthians 9:25-27). Timothy must exercise himself towards godliness, which Paul defines as our fulfilling our responsibility towards God by setting our hope on the living God (1 Timothy 4:10). That is, all his efforts must be put into pleasing the living God and proclaiming and establishing the truth (1 Timothy 3:15).