1 Timothy 4:8

[Benjamin]

(1Timothy 4:8) 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.

What is this verse saying about exercise?

 

[Scarlett O.]

(1Timothy 4:8) 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.

What is this verse saying about exercise?

That exercise does have a profit, but it's a temporary one - this life only. Godliness profits so much more - a benefit to this life and the next.

 

[John Toppass]

This compares the benefits of exercise to the benefits of godliness. Exercise profits little except for a temporary benefit in this life, whereas godliness profits in this life and our eternal life with God which is to come.

The main theme in this scripture is godliness not exercise. Paul could have used other examples instead of exercise but his use of godliness needs to remain constant or the reasoning for the scripture would have been changed.

 

[Salty]

We know for a fact that physical exercise is of extreme importance. However, compared to our spiritual life, the physical aspect is minor.

This verse only shows us the vast importance or our spiritual needs.


I did not vote, as neither answer is sufficent.

 

[David Lamb]

Some English translations have "little", whereas others say "a little". There's a big difference. If I say, "I have little spare time today", it means something quite different to, "I have a little spare time today". The first has a negative implication, while second is positive. But this difference is apparent in English, as far as I know. Could someone who knows Greek tell us if the same sort of difference is there in that language?

If Paul thought bodily exercise to be useless, he would be unlikely to use to many sporting illustrations.

 

[Benjamin]

The main theme in this scripture is godliness not exercise. Paul could have used other examples instead of exercise but his use of godliness needs to remain constant or the reasoning for the scripture would have been changed.

I see no reason to markdown the importance of the physical body exercise.

There is glory to be had in the heavenly and the earthly bodies.
1Co 15:40
(40) There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

I look at the message of 1Tim 4:8 as two-fold: Firstly, and the point of most importance, godliness has promise for our physical wellbeing (life) today and of that (life) which is to come (after our physical life). Secondly, but still a message of significant importance, so not wise to be discounted, is that bodily exercise does in fact profit us in this life.
Further, in both instances it should be taken that the physical body is a vessel of importance; it should be taken care of now with exercise and by godly living.