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.
(But) little, х pros (G4314) oligon (G3641)] - 'profiteth to (but) a small extent.' Paul admits that fasting and abstinence from conjugal sexual intercourse for a time, so as to reach the inward man through the outward, do profit slightly (Acts 13:3; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Corinthians 7:7; 1 Corinthians 9:26-27); but asceticism, dwelling solely on the outward, 1 Timothy 4:3, is injurious (Colossians 2:23). Timothy seems to have leant to outward self-discipline (cf. 1 Timothy 5:23). Paul, while not disapproving of this insubordinate proportion, shows the superiority of godliness, as profitable not merely 'to a small extent,' but "unto all things;" for, having its seat within, it extends thence to the whole outward man for time and eternity (1 Corinthians 8:8). 'He who has piety (which is "profitable unto all things") wants nothing needful to his well-being, though he be without those helps which, "to a small extent," bodily exercise furnishes' (Calvin). 'Piety,' the end whereunto "exercise thyself" (1 Timothy 4:7), is the essential thing: the means are secondary. Paul unrestrictedly condemns asceticism (1 Timothy 4:3-5): how then can he say here, 'it is profitable to some little extent:' hence, De Wette and Estius explain, literally, bodily exercise. Paul often digresses at a word. So here х gumnaze (G1128)], "exercise thyself" spiritually (1 Timothy 4:7), may suggest allusion to the temporary use of bodily exercise, in order to bring out the all-embracing excellence of spiritual exercise unto godliness.
Having promise ... - `having (as it has) promise of life-that which now is, and that which is to come:' "life" in its truest sense (2 Timothy 1:1). Length of life so far as is good for the believer; life in its truest enjoyments and employments now, and life blessed and eternal hereafter (Psalms 84:11; Psalms 112:1-10; Matthew 6:33; Mark 10:29-30; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 3:21-22). Christianity, while mainly securing our happiness hereafter, promotes it also here (1 Timothy 6:6; 2 Peter 1:3). So it embraces the Old Covenant promises of temporal blessings, with the everlasting ones of the New Covenant. Compare Solomon's prayer and the answer (1 Kings 3:7-13).