‘For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.’
1 Timothy 4:8 NIV

This is the verse that I use as an excuse for not working out.

I’m only partially kidding. But in all honesty, I don’t like working out unless I see the effects the next morning.

But all jokes aside, I think that this verse could have a really big role in our day and age.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with working out your body, right? It’s good to keep yourself healthy and, y’know, if you want to be jacked, then that’s cool too. But more often than not we focus on our physical health rather than our spiritual health. And if you read the verse above, you’ll see that 1 Timothy doesn’t even say spiritual health!

He says godliness.

But first let’s dive into the context of this verse: during this time, the Greeks and Romans had put high value on physical exercise. Paul (who wrote 1 and 2 Timothy) is telling Timothy (that’s who the letter was to) that that’s not a priority.

Paul was addressing something relevant to that age: physical appearance.

And if we look back at the book of 1 Samuel—when the prophet Samuel anointed Daniel to be king—God says, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Again, this is something that would have likely been relevant to Timothy. All the Jews knew the story of David as he had been their historical, godly king.

So back to 1 Timothy 4:8 and godliness.

Godliness actually came from the old English word Godlikeness which means having the attitude, character, and traits of God. It’s something worth working towards, something that will benefit you and the people around you.

That’s not to say that physical exercise won’t be beneficial—you’ll stay healthy up ’til you’re old!

But Paul addresses it because 1) it was a common theme at the time (and still is!), 2) physical and spiritual development have similarities: they both need hard work and good food (spiritual and physical) and 3) godliness is something profitable for the present and the future: it’s better to focus on something that will last forever.

So that’s the breakdown of 1 Timothy 4:8!

Thanks for reading, have a great day!
~Willow :)