Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Timothy 4:8

"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." — 1 Timothy 4:8 (ASV)

Timothy is to avoid “godless myths” and tall “tales” such as elderly women love to tell children. That is the way Paul describes the Jewish legends of his day (cf. Titus 1:14). Rather, Timothy is admonished to “train” (GK 1214) himself to be godly. “Physical training” clearly refers to athletic discipline, and it does have some value, at least for life on this earth. But spiritual exercise is far more important, for it has value for eternity—“holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”