7 “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:7–8 (ESV),
The Apostle Paul frequently used the metaphor of physical athletics to provide principles for the disciplined Christian life. The thoughts contained in today’s text from I Timothy 4:7-8 are also found in other epistles by the apostle. See 1 Corinthians 9:24–27; Galatians 2:1–2; Philippians 2:14–16; Philippians 3:12–14; 2 Timothy 2:5.
It is not surprising Paul invoked the athletic metaphor in his first epistle to Timothy. He wrote, “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;” There are two commands in this one sentence; one negative and the other positive.
Paul transitioned from spiritual training to bodily training. He wrote, “for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way.” Godliness (εὐσέβεια; eusebeia), referring to right beliefs and behavior, is of value (ὠφέλιμός; ophelimos) or benefit in every way (πάντα; panta) or in its entirety.
Why is this the case? The Apostle Paul does not leave believers in Christ to wonder. He immediately provided the answer; “as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” Godliness remains the main subject. Godliness provides two lasting benefits.
First, godliness holds promise for the present life. The phrase as it holds (ἔχουσα; echousa) is a present, active participle. It means to presently and actively possess and have something. The something the apostle had in mind was the word promise. Promise (ἐπαγγελίαν; epangelian) refers to the content of what is promised or agreed upon the present life here on earth. Second, godliness holds promise for the life to come in heaven.
“As valuable as physical fitness (training is gymnasia, “exercise,” used only here in the NT) may be (and Paul did not disparage it), spiritual fitness, or godliness, is much more valuable. Physical fitness is profitable only, literally, “for a little.” But godliness is profitable for all things, not merely in this present transient life but in the life to come, that is, for eternity. Godliness colors all aspects of temporal and eternal life, bestowing its blessing on all it touches.[1]
“The essence and contents of the promise is life, fellowship with God in Christ, the love of God shed abroad in the heart, the peace of God which passes all understanding. Complete devotion, godliness, or godly living, itself the fruit of God’s grace, results in the increasing possession and enjoyment of this reward, according to the teaching of Scripture throughout (Deut. 4:29; 28:1–3, 9, 10; 1 Sam. 15:22; Ps. 1:1–3; 24:3–6; 103:17, 18; 1 John 1:6, 7; 1 John 2:24, 25; Rev. 2:10, 17; 3:5, 12, 21). God has promised this, and he always fulfils his promise. And this life which God bestows, and which surpasses all other blessings in value, is both for the present and for the future, for the age that now is and for the coming age. It can never cease.[2]
Rev. Aaron L. Garriott concludes, “Christian, your physical body is united to Christ and is the sacred dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. What you will be is shrouded in mystery, but know that you will be like Christ in body and soul (1 John 3:2; see Phil. 3:21). Live accordingly. The destructive lie of gnosticism has undeniably led to all sorts of bad fruit. But a recovery of the holiness of the body will surely bear the good fruit of pure and undefiled piety that cares for the body and the soul (James 1:26–27). God cares about our soul and body. We must not sever what God has bound together. As we belong with body and soul to our faithful Savior (Heidelberg Catechism 1), so we are wholeheartedly willing and ready to devote ourselves with body and soul to Him, both in life and in death.”
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] A. Duane Litfin, “1 Timothy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 740.
[2] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 151–152.
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