1 Timothy 4:8
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
a. ASV: For bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come.
b. YLT: For the bodily exercise is unto little profit, and the piety is to all things profitable, a promise having of the life that now is, and of that which is coming;
c. Amplified Bible Classic: For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.
1. “For bodily exercise profiteth little…”
a. [Strong: 3588 [he] ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]
b. For [Strong: 1063. gar gar a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]
c. bodily [Strong: 4984. somatikos so-mat-ee-kos' from 4983; corporeal or physical:--bodily.] [Thayer: corporeal, bodily, having a bodily form or nature, pertaining to the body.]
c. exercise [Strong: 1129. gumnasia goom-nas-ee'-ah from 1128; training, i.e. (figuratively) asceticism:--exercise.] [Thayer: the exercise of the body in a palaestra or school of athletics, any exercise whatever.]
d. [Strong: 2076 estí, es-tee'; third person singular present indicative of G1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:—are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, × dure for a while, + follow, × have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, × must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.] [The KJV translates Strong's G2076 in the following manner: is (744x), are (51x), was (29x), be (25x), have (11x), not translated (15x), miscellaneous (25x), vr is (1x).]
e. profiteth [Strong: 5624. ophelimos o-fel'-ee-mos from a form of 3786; helpful or serviceable, i.e. advantageous:--profit(-able).] [Vines: useful, profitable.]
1). This word does not mean in this context to make a lot of money, but means what it says, it is of “little help”.
f. little [Strong: 3641. oligos ol-ee'-gos of uncertain affinity; puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat:--+ almost, brief(-ly), few, (a) little, + long, a season, short, small, a while.]
1). I exercise four to five times a week and have for the past eleven years (it is now 1/2/12). Ever since a surgeon told me in 2000 I would have to have surgery on my back. I rejected that opinion on the basis of faith in the Word of God that is in my heart and in my mouth. Along with that I began to exercise regularly, which I believe is a key component to staying physically fit. But in this verse I believe we are getting a proper perspective of physical exercise. Scripture says it profits little, but it does profit. I have to think he is using this term in a comparative way. Regular exercise is a component in keeping a healthy body, but comparing it to spiritual maintenance, makes it appear “little” viewed as only benefiting the physical and mental, while the benefits of godliness are “unto all things.”
2. “…but godliness is profitable unto all things…”
a. [Strong: 3588 [he] ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]
but [Strong: 1161. de deh a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).] [The KJV translates Strong's G1161 in the following manner: but (1,237x), and (934x), now (166x), then (132x), also (18x), yet (16x), yea (13x), so (13x), moreover (13x), nevertheless (11x), for (4x), even (3x), miscellaneous (10x), not translated (300x).]
b. godliness [Strong: 2150. eusebeia yoo-seb'-i-ah from 2152; piety; specially, the gospel scheme:--godliness, holiness.]
c. is [Strong: 2076. esti es-tee' third person singular present indicative of 1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.]
d. profitable [Strong: 5624. ophelimos o-fel'-ee-mos from a form of 3786; helpful or serviceable, i.e. advantageous:--profit(-able).] [Vine: useful, profitable.]
e. unto 4314. pros pros a strengthened form of 4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):--about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.]
f. all [things] [Strong: 3956. pas pas including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]
1). “Unto all things” includes this life and the life to come. It includes all things physical, in the natural and spiritual. How many behaviors and habits destructive to our physical and mental and spiritual health is avoided because of godly living?
3. “…having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
a. having [Strong: 2192. echo ekh'-o, including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; (used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.]
b. [the] promise [Strong: 1860. epaggelia ep-ang-el-ee'-ah from 1861; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good):--message, promise.]
c. [of the] life [ Strong: 2222. zoe dzo-ay' from 2198; life (literally or figuratively):--life(-time).]
d. [Strong: 3588 [he] ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]
e. [that] now [is] [Strong: 3568. nun noon a primary particle of present time; "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or mmediate:--henceforth, + hereafter, of late, soon, present, this (time).] [The KJV translates Strong's G3568 in the following manner: now (120x), present (4x), henceforth (4x), this (with G3588) (3x), this time (2x), miscellaneous (5x).]
1). The “promise of the life that now is”, is the abundant life that Jesus promised.
a). John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
2). We can lengthen or shorten our life on this earth through obedience or disobedience to the word of God.
a). Proverbs 9:10, 11The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
9:11 For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
b). Proverbs 4:20-22 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
4:21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
4:22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
c). Proverbs 3:1, 2 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
3:2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3). It is our present life full of all the covenant blessings.
a). 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
4). But as the Scripture reveals, these promises are conditional upon our obedience to the Word.
a). 2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
b). 2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5). These promises must also be received by faith.
a). Hebrews 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
b). Hebrews 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.
e. and [Strong: 2532. kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]
f. of that [Strong: 3588. ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]
g. which is to come [Strong: 3195. mello mel'-lo a strengthened form of 3199 (through the idea of expectation); to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probability, possibility, or hesitation):--about, after that, be (almost), (that which is, things, + which was for) to come, intend, was to (be), mean, mind, be at the point, (be) ready, + return, shall (begin), (which, that) should (after, afterwards, hereafter) tarry, which was for, will, would, be yet.]
1). The life which is to come is after death.
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