“For bodily exercise profiteth little : but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
My Notes
What Does 1 Timothy 4:8 Mean?
Paul contrasts two kinds of profit: for bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
Bodily exercise profiteth little (pros oligon — for a little, to a small extent) — Paul does not dismiss physical exercise entirely. It has some profit (ophelimos — useful, beneficial). The profit is real but limited: pros oligon — for a little time, to a small degree. The body benefits. But the benefit is temporary — the body ages, weakens, and dies regardless of how much exercise it receives. The profit is little because the duration is short.
But godliness (eusebeia — reverence toward God, piety that produces right living, the practice of devotion) is profitable (ophelimos — beneficial, useful, advantageous) unto all things — all things. The scope of godliness's profit has no boundary. Not some things. All things — every dimension of life, every circumstance, every challenge, every relationship. Godliness profits comprehensively where bodily exercise profits partially.
Having promise of the life that now is — the profit of godliness is not only future. It operates now — in this life, in the present, in the daily experience of the person who practices devotion to God. The life that now is — the current existence — is improved by godliness. Not exempted from difficulty but enriched by a relationship with God that produces wisdom, peace, purpose, and character in the midst of difficulty.
And of that which is to come — the profit extends beyond death. The life to come — eternal life, resurrection life, the age beyond this age — is also the domain of godliness's promise. The profit of bodily exercise stops at death. The profit of godliness continues through death and into eternity.
The contrast is not bodily exercise versus godliness (as though they were competitors). It is limited versus unlimited profit. Exercise your body — it profits a little. Exercise your godliness — it profits in everything, for this life and the life to come. The wise investment prioritizes the unlimited return.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Why does Paul say bodily exercise profits 'little' rather than 'nothing' — and what does the limited affirmation communicate?
- 2.What does godliness being profitable 'unto all things' mean practically — in what areas does it produce benefit?
- 3.How does 'the life that now is' being included prevent godliness from being only a future hope?
- 4.Where are you investing more in bodily discipline than spiritual discipline — and what would rebalancing look like?
Devotional
Bodily exercise profiteth little. Paul does not say bodily exercise is worthless. He says its profit is small — limited in scope and duration. The body benefits from exercise. But the body is temporary. The profit that exercise provides expires when the body does. The return on investment, measured against eternity, is little.
But godliness is profitable unto all things. All things. Not just the spiritual compartment of your life. All of it — your relationships, your work, your decisions, your suffering, your joy. Godliness profits everywhere because the God it connects you to operates everywhere. The profit has no boundary. The benefit has no compartment it does not reach.
Having promise of the life that now is. The profit is not just heavenly. It is now. The godly life — the life of practiced devotion to God — produces tangible benefits in the present: wisdom for decisions, peace in difficulty, character that endures, purpose that transcends circumstances. The life that now is — the one you are living today — is better because of godliness.
And of that which is to come. And the profit extends beyond death. The life to come — resurrection, eternity, the age where the body is renewed and the soul is perfected — is the ultimate domain of godliness's promise. Bodily exercise profits until you die. Godliness profits forever.
The comparison is investment advice: where should you invest your limited time and energy? Exercise your body — you get a little return for a little while. Exercise your godliness — you get unlimited return for unlimited time. Both are valuable. One is limited. The other is comprehensive. The wise investor does not neglect the body. But the wise investor prioritizes the investment with the greater return — the one that profits unto all things, for this life and the life to come.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
For bodily exercise profiteth little,.... Meaning not the exercise of the body in the Olympic games, as by running,…
For bodily exercise profiteth little - Margin, “for a little time.” The Greek will admit of either interpretation, and…
For bodily exercise profiteth little - Προς ολιγον εστιν ωφελιμος. Those gymnastic exercises, so highly esteemed among…
The apostle would have Timothy to instil into the minds of Christians such sentiments as might prevent their being…
bodily exercise profiteth little Rather, with R.V., bodily exercise is profitable for a little. The Latin of Theod.…
Cross References
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