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1 Timothy 4:8

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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.

For {G1063} bodily {G4984} exercise {G1129} profiteth {G2076} little {G4314}{G3641}: but {G1161} godliness {G2150} is {G2076} profitable unto {G4314} all things {G3956}, having {G2192} promise {G1860} of the life {G2222} that now is {G3568}, and {G2532} of that which is to come {G3195}.

For although physical exercise does have some value, godliness is valuable for everything, since it holds promise both for the present life and for the life to come.

For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.

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.

Commentary

1 Timothy 4:8 (KJV): "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."

Context

In 1 Timothy chapter 4, the Apostle Paul is instructing young Timothy on leadership and conduct within the church, particularly in light of false teachers and their doctrines that were beginning to emerge. These false teachings often involved ascetic practices, such as forbidding marriage and abstaining from certain foods (verse 3). Paul contrasts these external, physical disciplines with the far greater importance and value of true godliness.

Key Themes

  • The Limitation of Physical Training: Paul acknowledges that "bodily exercise" (physical training or discipline) has some benefit, but qualifies it as "little." This could refer to athletic training or perhaps the physical disciplines promoted by the ascetic false teachers. Its benefits are temporary and limited to the physical realm.
  • The Comprehensive Profit of Godliness: In stark contrast, godliness (living a life devoted to God, marked by piety and reverence) is declared "profitable unto all things." This highlights its immense and universal value, impacting every area of life.
  • Promises for Now and Eternity: Godliness comes with a promise not just for future eternal life but also for benefits and blessings in "the life that now is." This underscores that faith and devotion to God have tangible positive effects in the present as well as securing our eternal future.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "bodily exercise" comes from the Greek word gymnasia (γυμνασία), from which we get our word "gymnastics" or "gymnasium." It refers to physical training or discipline. The word for "godliness" is eusebeia (εὐσέβεια), meaning piety, reverence, or devotion towards God. The contrast emphasizes the difference between training the body, which has limited, temporary results, and training the spirit through devotion to God, which yields boundless, eternal results.

Reflection and Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of our priorities. While physical health and discipline have their place, they are secondary to spiritual health and discipline. Paul encourages believers to invest their primary energy and focus into cultivating godliness, which yields dividends in this life and secures eternal rewards. It challenges us to examine where we spend our time and effort and to ensure that our pursuit of knowing and living for God takes precedence over all other pursuits, knowing that godliness holds the promises of both worlds.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 6:33 (27 votes)

    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

  • 1 Timothy 6:6 (20 votes)

    ¶ But godliness with contentment is great gain.

  • Psalms 37:3 (12 votes)

    Trust in the LORD, and do good; [so] shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

  • Psalms 37:4 (12 votes)

    Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

  • Proverbs 19:23 (9 votes)

    ¶ The fear of the LORD [tendeth] to life: and [he that hath it] shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

  • Proverbs 22:4 (8 votes)

    ¶ By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life.

  • Mark 10:30 (6 votes)

    But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.