KJV King James Version
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.
VERSE STUDY • KJV
1 Timothy 4:8
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.
Read it in 5 translations
BSB Berean Standard Bible
For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.
WEB World English Bible
For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.
ASV American Standard Version
for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come.
YLT Young’s Literal Translation
for the bodily exercise is unto little profit, and the piety is to all things profitable, a promise having of the life that now is, and of that which is coming;
Surrounding context — 1 Timothy 4
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself [rather] unto godliness.
8 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.
9 This [is] a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
11 These things command and teach.
Topics connected to this verse
Original-language word links
These Hebrew/Greek tokens are linked by Strong's number. Click one for its lexicon definition and other occurrences.
ἡG3588 · hothe/this/whoγὰρG1063 · garforσωματικὴG4984 · sōmatikosbodilyγυμνασίαG1129 · gumnasiatrainingπρὸςG4314 · prosto/withὀλίγονG3641 · oligoslittle/fewἐστὶνG1510 · eimito beὠφέλιμος,G5624 · ōphelimosvaluableἡG3588 · hothe/this/whoδὲG1161 · dethenεὐσέβειαG2150 · eusebeiapietyπρὸςG4314 · prosto/withπάνταG3956 · pasallὠφέλιμόςG5624 · ōphelimosvaluableἐστινG1510 · eimito beἐπαγγελίανG1860 · epangeliapromiseἔχουσαG2192 · echōto have/beζωῆςG2222 · zōēlifeτῆςG3588 · hothe/this/whoνῦνG3568 · nunnowκαὶG2532 · kaiandτῆςG3588 · hothe/this/whoμελλούσης.G3195 · mellōto ensue
Cross-references
Matthew 6:33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.1 Timothy 6:6But godliness with contentment is great gain.Psalm 37:3-4Trust in the LORD, and do good; [so] shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.Proverbs 19:23The fear of the LORD [tendeth] to life: and [he that hath it] shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.Proverbs 22:4By humility [and] the fear of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life.Colossians 2:21-23(Touch not; taste not; handle not;Mark 10:30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.1 John 2:25And this is the promise that he hath promised us, [even] eternal life.Psalm 37:11But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.Psalm 145:19He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.Job 5:19-26He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.Matthew 5:3-12Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Psalm 37:29The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.Psalm 112:1-3Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments.Psalm 128:1-6A Song of degrees. Blessed [is] every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.Proverbs 3:16-18Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and] in her left hand riches and honour.Hebrews 13:9Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.Psalm 84:11For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
CLASSIC COMMENTARY & PREACHING
Spurgeon on 1 Timothy 4:8
Read Charles H. Spurgeon material whose primary Scripture is this verse or passage.
HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION
Compare classic commentaries on 1 Timothy 4:8
Put Matthew Henry, Adam Clarke, Calvin, Wesley, Barnes, Jamieson–Fausset–Brown, Aquinas’ Catena and other public-domain sources beside the passage.
Compare commentaries →