Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Timothy 4:6-10

"If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed [until now]: but refuse profane and old wives` fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness: 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. Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation. For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe." — 1 Timothy 4:6-10 (ASV)

Outward acts of self-denial benefit little. What will it benefit us to mortify the body, if we do not mortify sin? No diligence in mere outward things could be of much use. The gain of godliness lies greatly in the promise; and the promises to godly people relate partly to this present life, but especially to the life to come: though we lose for Christ, we will not lose by him. If Christ is thus the Saviour of all men, then much more will he be the Rewarder of those who seek and serve him; he will provide well for those whom he has made new creatures.