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For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value for all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.
Verse Takeaways
1
More Than Physical Training
When Paul contrasts "bodily exercise" with godliness, commentators explain he's not primarily talking about gym workouts. He's referring to religious austerities like extreme fasting or penance, which were seen as paths to holiness. Paul's point is that these external acts have very limited spiritual value compared to the deep, internal transformation of godliness.
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Book Overview
1 Timothy
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8
18th Century
Presbyterian
For bodily exercise profiteth little. A marginal note reads, for a little time. The Greek will admit of either interpretation, an…
Bodily exercise (η σωματικη γυμνασια). Γυμνασια (from γυμναζω), also a common old word, here only in N.T. So also σωματικη (from σ…
19th Century
Anglican
For bodily exercise profiteth little.—More accurately rendered, bodily exercise is profitable for little. St. Paul here, no doubt…
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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…
16th Century
Protestant
For bodily exercise is of little profit. By the exercise “of the body,” he does not mean that which consists in hunting, or in the race-co…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
For bodily exercise profiteth little Meaning not the exercise of the body in the Olympic games, as by running, wrest…
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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 thi…
13th Century
Catholic
Previously, the Apostle rejected superstitious abstinence from goods. Here, he commands Timothy to present this teaching to the brothers. He first …
