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.
Ver. 8. For bodily exercise profiteth little] Somewhat it doth (if rightly used) toward the strengthening of the body, preserving of the health, subduing of the flesh.
But godliness is profitable to all things] The Babylonians are said to make 360 several commodities of the palm tree (Plutarch); but there is a μυριομακαριοτης, a thousand benefits to be got by godliness. Godly persons are said in Latin, Deum colere, to cherish God, because they are sure by sowing to the Spirit to "reap of the Spirit life everlasting," Galatians 6:8. Besides that, in this world they "shall obtain joy and gladness" (outward and inward comforts), but "sorrow and sighing shall flee away," Isaiah 35:10 .