“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.”
For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, holding promise for the present life and also for the life to come — though sōmatikē gymnasia (physical training) possesses modest merit (mikra ōphelia), eusebia (godliness) alone offers comprehensive benefit (panta ophelima) spanning both temporal and eternal existence. Spiritual discipline's returns exceed physical discipline infinitely.
Church Fathers on 1 Timothy 4:8
“For bodily exercise profits little.” This has by some been referred to fasting; but away with such a notion! For that is not a bodily but a spiritual exercise. If it were bodily it would nourish the body, whereas it wastes and makes it lean, so that it is not bodily. Hence he is not speaking of the discipline of the body. What we need, therefore, is the exercise of the soul. For the exercise of the body has no profit, but may benefit the body a little, but the exercise of…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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