Physical Exercise and the Bible
“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.” -1 Timothy 4:8
Here we see the apostle Paul guiding Timothy in a very balanced and healthy view of physical exercise. He says that it profits a little, but that godliness, as an exercise of the soul, is much more beneficial, both now in this life, and also in the life to come.
Realize three things from this verse:
1.) Bodily exercise is good, and profits a person. Even though it is only a “little,” exercise still increases the health of the body, and does have a purpose. Since our bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost, we ought to take care of them and not completely abuse or neglect them altogether.
2.) Spiritual exercise is superior, and ought to be preferred over physical exercise. The apostle Paul clearly states in Scripture that being godly benefits a man both in this life, and also in the life that is to come. We are doubly blessed by the benefits of godliness.
3.) Spiritual exercise gives us a benefit that will not pass away, while our body’s exercise is fleeting. It is a bit discouraging to find that all of the work that we put toward our bodies is only for this present life, and at the end of life, the fitness that we’ve achieved in this life will be for (almost) nothing. It may add a few years of health to our lives, which is a good thing, but in the end, it will depart with the life of our body. Yet godliness is not so, and the virtue and good deeds that we’ve accumulated in our spiritual life will follow us to the life hereafter.
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.” -1 Corinthians 3:11-14
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