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Answer
In 1 Timothy 4:8, the apostle Paul advises Timothy to maintain his priorities: “For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness is beneficial for all things, holding promise for the present life and the life to come” (NKJV). Here, Paul contrasts bodily exercise with godliness. While both are advantageous, bodily exercise is of lesser significance than godliness.
In 1 Timothy 4:6, Paul gently prompts Timothy to “put these things before the brothers” (ESV). Everyone can benefit from a reminder now and then. Paul is not reminding Timothy of his pastoral duties because Timothy has forgotten or neglected them. On the contrary, Paul aims to motivate Timothy to continue what he has always done—a form of positive reinforcement, so to speak.
What exactly should Timothy present to the Ephesian church? The answer lies in 1 Timothy 4:1–5: warnings about false teachings that are spread by “hypocritical liars” (verse 3). By faithfully instructing the church to discern truth from falsehood, Timothy will be “a good servant of Christ Jesus” who upholds “the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed” (verse 6, ESV). The “words of the faith” refer to the gospel. A concise summary of the gospel message is provided in 1 Corinthians 15:3–4. There, Paul emphasizes the gospel as being “of first importance.” Timothy’s main duty as a bishop is to teach, equip, and remind his congregation of the truth.
Timothy must remind his congregation of these things due to the widespread influence of false doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1-3, 7). False teachers abound today: on the radio, podcasts, television, and even in church pulpits. They pose a threat to sound doctrine because their teachings contradict the gospel of Jesus Christ. See Ga
Titians 1:8. If Timothy guards his congregation against false teachers, then he will be a “good minister of Christ Jesus” «If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. », (1 Timothy 4:6).
Timothy’s effectiveness as a servant of Jesus Christ was due to his being “nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching” «If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. », (1 Timothy 4:6). He was trained, or disciplined, by his grandmother Lois and his mother, Eunice «when I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. », (2 Timothy 1:5), and, of course, by Paul. It should be noted that our service to God can only be as effective as the deposit that has been put within us. In other words, our output can only be as good as our input. Will we follow Timothy’s example of faithful service by setting “believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” «Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. », (1 Timothy 4:12)?
Believers who are preoccupied with righteousness do not have time for “irreverent, silly myths” «But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. », (1 Timothy 4:7).
(1 Timothy 4:7, ESV), because their hearts and minds are set on things above see Colossians 3:2. The contrast between “words of the faith” and “irreverent, silly myths” is noteworthy. It indicates that the gospel is not a mythological or fictitious account of Jesus Christ. Quite the opposite! The gospel is a historical account of the life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The best way to detect false teachings is to “train [ourselves] for godliness” «But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. », (1 Timothy 4:7, ESV). The Greek word for “train” is gymnaze, where we get the English words gym and gymnasium. Although gymnaze denotes physical training, Paul uses the word metaphorically to include spiritual training. The idea is that spiritual training requires “discipline,” which is how the NASB translates gymnaze.
In 1 Timothy 4:8, Paul says, “Bodily exercise profits a little” (NKJV), but he does not suggest that physical or bodily training is a bad thing. In fact, he acknowledges that it has some value, recognizing its benefit for overall health and well-being. He does assert, however, that godliness has eternal significance and holds promise for both the present life and the life to come. The present benefit of godliness is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). The future benefit of godliness is eternal fellowship with God in heaven «And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. », (John 14:3).
In conclusion, 1 Timothy 4:8 highlights the surpassing
Embracing godliness and the promise it brings for both current and future life is valuable. By doing so and turning away from false teachings, believers can stay committed to the truth found in God’s Word.
