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 (KJV)

The Comparison That Changes Everything

On any given Sunday morning, you’ll find joggers pounding the pavement, cyclists racing through park trails, and fitness enthusiasts heading to their favorite gym. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this picture. After all, the Apostle Paul doesn’t condemn bodily exercise; he simply puts it in its proper perspective.

“Bodily exercise profiteth little,” Paul writes to young Timothy. Notice he doesn’t say it profits nothing - just little. Physical fitness certainly has its place. It strengthens our bodies, improves our health, and can even boost our mental well-being. These are genuine benefits that we can see and measure.

But Paul’s point cuts deeper than a simple comparison of physical versus spiritual disciplines.

The Scope of True Profit

When Paul speaks of godliness being “profitable unto all things,” he’s highlighting something remarkable about spiritual discipline that bodily exercise simply cannot match. Physical fitness benefits a couple of domains — our physique, our personal health, and even our relationships (it may even spark new ones!).

But godliness?

It touches everything.

Godliness profits our relationships, our decision-making, our character, our peace of mind, our purpose, and our eternal destiny. It transforms how we handle conflict, how we treat our families, how we conduct business, and how we face life’s inevitable trials. While a strong body might carry us through physical challenges, a godly character carries us through all of life’s challenges.

This comprehensive benefit is what Paul means by “having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” Godliness doesn’t just prepare us for heaven - it enriches our experience of life today.

The Danger of Misplaced Worship

Here’s where we must be careful. In our fitness-obsessed culture, it’s easy to slip from exercising our bodies to worshipping them. When our pursuit of physical perfection becomes our primary focus, we’ve replaced worship of God with worship of self.

The mirror becomes our altar, and our reflection becomes our god.

Paul’s warning isn’t against taking care of our bodies: Scripture calls our bodies temples of the Holy Spirit (and we don’t want to abuse the dwelling where the Spirit resides). Rather, he’s cautioning us against the subtle idolatry that can creep in when we prioritise the temporary over the eternal, the visible over the spiritual.

The Visible Rewards of Invisible Discipline

Just as consistent physical exercise produces noticeable results, so does the pursuit of godliness. Paul reminds us that godliness is profitable it does yield returns on our investment of time, effort, and discipline.

When we exert the will and perform those things that are good and right, enduring through the challenges of spiritual growth, we reap rewards that others will notice. Friends and family often remark on the change they see: a newfound peace, a gentler spirit, a steadier character, or a joy that transcends circumstances. All the fruits of the Spirit become evident as they blossom and bud in our life.

This transformation is evidence of our newness of life in Christ. We are no longer enslaved to sin’s fleeting pleasures but are instead led by the Spirit into true freedom and lasting satisfaction.

The Investment That Never Fails

The beautiful truth is that while bodily strength eventually fails and physical beauty fades, godliness yields dividends both now and for eternity. Every moment spent in prayer, every act of obedience, every choice to pursue righteousness is an investment in a portfolio that never crashes, never loses value, and continues paying returns forever.

So by all means, take care of your physical health. Exercise regularly, eat well, and steward the body God has given you. But remember Paul’s perspective: while bodily exercise profits a little, godliness profits in all things both in this life and the one to come.

The question isn’t whether we’ll invest our time and energy somewhere. The question is whether we’ll invest it in something that profits little or something that profits in all things, with returns guaranteed not just for today, but for eternity.

Joshua made it clear with his proclamation on where he would invest:

…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. 

  • Joshua 24:15 (KJV)

Take a moment today to evaluate where you’re investing the majority of your time and energy. Are you pursuing the little profit or the profit that extends to all things?