CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES
1 Timothy 4:8. For bodily exercise profiteth little.—The meaning which seems simplest may here be the correct one, as many able scholars think—bodily exercise, development of the body’s powers, is profitable in some small way, and for a short time. Godliness is profitable unto all things.—“Thrift is blessing, if men steal it not”; but when the only godliness is the spirit of Shylock’s thrift (as in 1 Timothy 6:5), it is unblest enough.
1 Timothy 4:10. We both labour and suffer reproach.—R.V. “we labour and strive.” Though the changed reading of the R.V. is highly attested, Ellicott thinks it suspicious and prefers the A.V. Specially of those that believe.—He is the Saviour of all in that He would have all men to be saved—the Saviour showed the consequence of opposing that universal and gracious purpose (Matthew 23:38); but where the human will is one with the Divine, there is a specially effective salvation unto the uttermost.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— 1 Timothy 4:8-11
Athletics and Religion.
I. Athletic exercise has some advantage.—“For bodily exercise profiteth little” (1 Timothy 4:8). The apostle is using terms employed in describing the gymnastic contests in the public games, and the training necessary for the athletes. Bodily exercise taken in moderation profiteth a little. It improves health, develops physique, strengthens us to labour for God and man. But athletics may be overdone. An abnormal development of muscle deteriorates the quality of the brain and impairs the general health. Plato says of the wrestlers of his day that they were a sluggish set and of dubious health, that they slept out their lives, and if they varied their regular diet in the least degree they became extensively and deeply diseased. The disciplining of the body by abstinence may also be some advantage in the suppression and control of the passions; but the advantage is limited. It is an attempt to reach the inward life by outward means, which is a reversal of the Christian method, which seeks to regulate the outward life from within.
II. Religion has every advantage.—
1. It is best for the present life. “But godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is” (1 Timothy 4:8). It tends to health and longevity by teaching us the proper use of the body, and shows that true happiness and prosperity are secured by promoting the welfare of both body and soul.
2. It is best for the future life. “And of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). It ensures an eternity of blessedness. The condition of our bodily and mental powers attained by judicious exercise must have an important influence upon our spiritual state. The degree of moral excellence attained in this life will be the basis of development and enjoyment in the life to come.
III. Religion involves fatigue and shame, but it means salvation to the believing.—“For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God” (1 Timothy 4:10). Religion is not obtained without effort: we must “strive to enter in at the strait gate,” and we must labour to maintain our integrity, notwithstanding the opposition and reproach of the world; but trusting in the living God, we shall be able to endure and finally conquer.
1. This is an undoubted and universal fact. “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation” (1 Timothy 4:9). It may seem to some that godly men suffer loss as to this life; but it is not so. The labour and reproach of the good man do not deprive him of the best blessings of the present life, which he enjoys in rich abundance, though with persecutions (Mark 10:30); and he has the assurance of yet greater blessings in the future life.
2. As the living God is willing to save all, He will certainly save those who believe in Him. “The living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe” (1 Timothy 4:10). If God is the Saviour of all men, even of those who do not believe in Him, and is their benefactor and preserver, much more, and in a most blessed sense, is He the Saviour of those who fully trust in Him. He is the Saviour of all men potentially, as He has provided and offers salvation to all; but to those who believe in Him He is their Saviour experimentally and really—they become conscious of their salvation by their faith in Him.
IV. The distinction between athletics and religion should be authoritatively insisted on.—“These things command and teach” (1 Timothy 4:11). In opposition to the false views of the Judaisers, Timothy must reiterate the truth concerning true godliness. “You can always show what a life of godliness really is,—that it is full of joyousness, and that its joys are neither fitful nor uncertain; that it is no foe to what is bright and beautiful, and is neither morose in itself nor apt to frown at light-heartedness in others; that it does not interfere with the most strenuous attention to business and the most capable despatch of it. Men refuse to listen to or to be moved by words; but they cannot help noticing and being influenced by facts which are all round them in their daily lives. So far as man can judge, the number of vicious, mean, and unworthy lives is far in excess of those which are pure and lofty. Each one of us can do something towards throwing the balance the other way. We can prove to all the world that godliness is not an unreality, that it enhances the brightness of all that is really beautiful in life, while it raises to a higher power all natural gifts and abilities” (Plummer).
Lessons.—
1. Bodily athletics may be carried to injurious excess.
2. The noblest athletics are spiritual, and seek to promote genuine godliness.
3. Religion is best for both worlds.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
1 Timothy 4:8. The Life that now is.
I.
It is short.
II.
Uncertain.
III.
Chequered.
IV.
Important.—It has a relation to that which is to come.—G. Brooks.
The Life which is to come.
I. Mention some of the proofs that there is a life to come.—Proofs from reason—analogy, common consent, the desire of immortality, conscience. Proofs from revelation.
II. Mention some of the characteristics of the life to come.—
1. It will comprehend man’s whole nature.
2. It will be purely and entirely retributive.
3. It will be unchangeable and eternal.
III. Mention some of our duties in reference to the life to come.—
1. We should habitually contemplate it.
2. We should diligently prepare for it.—G. Brooks.
The Profitableness of Godliness.
I. The nature of godliness.—
1. It comprehends the fear of God.
2. The saving knowledge of God.
3. Supreme love to God.
4. Intercourse with God.
5. The practice of righteousness.
6. Implies a humble and supreme regard to the honour and glory of God in all things.
II. The advantages of godliness.—
1. It is profitable for the present life.
(1) Consider its influence on a man’s external circumstances.
(2) Is calculated to promote a man’s worldly prosperity.
(3) It elevates and expands the mind.
(4) Gives real excellence and sterling worth to a man’s character.
(5) Has a tendency to prolong life.
(6) Profitable to individual happiness.
(7) To mankind in their social capacity and in all the diversified relations of life.
(8) Is profitable during every stage of life—in the morning, noon, and eventide of life.
2. Profitable for the life to come.
(1) If there were no positive certainty of a future life, godliness is profitable.
(2) It is certain there is another life.
Lessons.—
1. We see the fallacy and impiety of those who say, “What is the Almighty that we should serve Him? and what profit shall we have if we pray unto Him?”
2. The inconsistency and folly of those who, while admitting the profit of godliness, make no practical efforts to realise its advantages.
3. We commend godliness on the principle of enlightened self-interest.—Dr. Robert Newton.
1 Timothy 4:10. Christ the Saviour of All Men.
I. As He is the embodiment of the truest and noblest manhood.
II. Therefore all men may be saved.
III. Therefore the gospel should be proclaimed to all.
IV. Men are truly saved only as they believe in Christ as the Saviour.