1 Timothy 4:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:6-16

The apostle would have Timothy to instil into the minds of Christians such sentiments as might prevent their being seduced by the judaizing teachers. Observe, Those are good ministers of Jesus Christ who are diligent in their work; not that study to advance new notions, but that put the brethren in remembrance of those things which they have received and heard. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though you knew them, 2 Pet. 1:12. And elsewhere,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 4:6-10

4:6-10 If you lay these things before the brothers, you will be a fine servant of Jesus Christ, if you feed your life on the words of faith, and of the fine teaching of which you have been a student and a follower. Refuse to have anything to do with irreligious stories like the tales old women tell to children. Train yourself towards the goal of true godliness. The training of the body has only a limited value; but training in godliness has a universal value for mankind, because it has the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:8

For bodily exercise profiteth little ,.... Meaning not the exercise of the body in the Olympic games, as by running, wrestling, &c.; which profited but little, for the obtaining of a corruptible crown at most; though since a word is used here, and in the preceding verse, borrowed from thence, there may be an allusion to it: much less exercise of the body for health or recreation, as riding, walking, playing at any innocent diversion; which profits but for a little time, as the Syriac and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 4:8

For bodily exercise profiteth little - Προς ολιγον εστιν ωφελιμος . Those gymnastic exercises, so highly esteemed among the Greeks, are but little worth; they are but of short duration; they refer only to this life, and to the applause of men: but godliness has the promise of this life, and the life to come; it is profitable for all things; and for both time and eternity. But godliness is profitable unto all things - By godliness we are to understand every thing that the Christian... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 4:8

Verse 8 8For bodily exercise is of little profit. By the exercise “of the body,” he does not mean that which lies in hunting, or in the race-course, or in wrestling, or in digging, or in the mechanical occupations; but he gives that name to all the outward actions that are undertaken, for the sake of religion, such as watchings, long fasts, lying on the earth, and such like. Yet he does not here censure the superstitious observance of those things; otherwise he would totally condemn them, as he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:1-16

The history of the Christian Church is the history of the sowing of tares as well as of the sowing of good grain; and it describes the work of seducing spirits as well as that of the Spirit of God. The work of heresy is not merely the denial of true doctrine, but it is the invention and propagation of a multitude of false doctrines. Nor, again, are the false doctrines so invented and promulgated, on the face of them, necessarily ungodly doctrines. On the contrary, they often assume to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:8

Is profitable for a little for profiteth little , A.V.; for, for unto , A.V. ; which for that , A.V. Bodily exercise. Exercise which only affects the body, such as those rules which the Jewish ascetics enforced. γυμνασία only occurs here in the New Testament, and not at all in the LXX ., but is not uncommon in classical Greek. Another form is γύμνασις , and γυμνάσιον is the place where such γύμνασις takes place. For a little ; margin, for little , ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Timothy 4:8

For bodily exercise profiteth little - Margin, “for a little time.” The Greek will admit of either interpretation, and what is here affirmed is true in either sense. The bodily exercise to which the apostle refers is of little advantage compared with that piety which he recommended Timothy to cultivate, and whatever advantage could be derived from it, would be but of short duration. “Bodily exercise” here refers, doubtless, to the mortifications of the body by abstinence and penance which the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Timothy 4:8

1 Timothy 4:8. For bodily exercise profiteth little That is, say Estius, Whitby, Doddridge, and some others, the exercises about which many are so solicitous, and in the pursuit of which they go through so many fatigues, namely, in preparing for and attending the public games, are but of little use, the best rewards of them being of a very transient and fading nature. Or by bodily exercise may be understood rather the mortifications which the Jewish fables were framed to recommend, and the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:6-16

Dealing with the false teachers (4:6-16)Paul makes it clear to Timothy that good teachers do not waste time arguing about silly stories, but concentrate on teaching positive Christian doctrine. This is the best answer to those who teach nonsense. By thinking and talking about the great truths of the Christian faith, teachers will build themselves up as well. They must not forget, however, to train themselves with the self-discipline that leads to spiritual fitness and lasting blessings (6-8).... read more

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