“But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance” (1 Timothy 4:7-9).
The fitness industry in America is a 22.4 Billion industry. Despite this fact, the obesity rate in America (BMI>30) is over 40% among adults.
What Paul wrote is true. Bodily exercise (and a good diet) does do some good. The problem is focus and priority. Jesus said, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26).
In contrast to the good that exercise can do, to spiritually exercise yourself to godliness is far better and more important. Why is this so? Jesus said it. It is because of the eternal nature of the soul!
Paul emphasized the same. It has “the promise of the life that now is (like physical exercise) and of that which is to come” (where it is uniquely helpful). That is why it is such a “faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.” Think about it!
