8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.
Godly living on earth is essential, but neglecting the benefits of eternity ahead for what happens here is a serious mistake.
4:8
For bodily exercise profits a little,
“Exercise” comes from the Greek gymnasia, from which we obtain the English word gym. Physical exercise has benefits but is “little” or small compared to living for eternity.
but godliness is profitable for all things,
Godliness has the higher benefit of putting priority on things of greatest value. It transcends the small profit of bodily exercise to an imminent level; it will hold value in the eternal state.
having promise of the life that now is
Godliness gives promise to our present life because it puts the believer in fellowship with God and provides satisfaction from living that life before Him (2 Pe 1:3).
and of that which is to come.
For the same reason God gives the promise of godliness for this present life, that same godliness is also profitable for our eternal future. Those who live godly lives in time will benefit in eternity. People will receive a “well done, you good and faithful servant.”
4:9
This is a faithful saying
Paul used the phrase “This is a faithful saying” four times in the three epistles written to pastors (1 Tim 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; 2 Tim 2:11; Tit 3:8). It does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. The apostle used it to affirm important and established theological doctrine. What the apostle just said is axiomatic in Christianity. It is foundational to our faith that pastors be faithful to the Word and become God oriented.
and worthy of all acceptance.
It is essential to accept the principle laid out in 1 Timothy 4:8.
PRINCIPLE:
A godly life is profitable for time and eternity.
APPLICATION:
In contrast to asceticism, godliness is profitable for all things. It transcends bodily training. Spiritual fitness is much more valuable than physical conditioning, for it has double-barrel benefits in time and eternity.
