Vincent Word Studies - 1 Timothy 4:8 - 4:8

Online Resource Library

Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com

Vincent Word Studies - 1 Timothy 4:8 - 4:8


(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)

This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Bodily exercise (ἡ σωματικὴ γυμνασία)

With γυμνασία comp. γύμναζε, 1Ti 4:7. N.T.o. Σωματικός bodily only here and Luk 3:22. olxx. The adverb σωματικῶς bodily-wise, Col 2:9. The words are to be taken in their literal sense as referring to physical training in the palaestra - boxing, racing, etc. Comp. 1Co 9:24-27. Some, however, find in them an allusion to current ascetic practices; against which is the statement that such exercise is profitable, though only for a little.

Profiteth little (πρὸς ὀλίγον ἐστὶν ὠφέλιμος)

Lit. is profitable for a little. The phrase πρὸς ὀλίγον only here and Jam 5:14. In the latter passage it means for a little while. Comp. Heb 12:10, πρὸς ὀλίγας ἡμέρας for a few days. According to some, this is the meaning here; but against this is the antithesis πρὸς πάντα unto all things. The meaning is rather, the use of the athlete's training extends to only a few things. Ὡφέλιμος useful or profitable, only in Pastorals. Comp. 2Ti 3:16; Tit 3:8. olxx.

Godliness (εὐσέβεια)

See on 1Ti 2:2, and Introduction, VI.

Having promise (ἐπαγγελίαν ἔχουσα)

The exact phrase only here. Comp. 2Co 7:1; Heb 7:6. The participle is explanatory, since it has promise. For ἐπαγγελία promise see on Act 1:4.

The life that now is (ζωῆς τῆς νῦν)

According to the strict Greek idiom, life the now. This idiom and the following, τῆς μελλούσης N.T.o. The phrase ὁ νῦν αἰών the present aeon, 1Ti 6:17; 2Ti 4:10; Tit 2:12. Ὁ αἰών οὗτος this aeon, a few times in the Gospels, often in Paul, nowhere else. We have ὁ αἰών ὁ μέλλων the aeon which is to be, and ὁ αἰών ὁ ἐρχόμενος or ἐπερχόμενος the aeon which is coming on, in the Gospels, once in Paul (Eph 2:7), and in Hebrews once, μέλλων αἰών without the article. Ἑν τῷ καιρῷ τούτῳ in this time, of the present as contrasted with the future life, Mar 10:30; Luk 18:30. Ὁ νυν καιρός the now time, in the same relation, Rom 8:18. For ζωὴ life see on Joh 1:4. The force of the genitive with ἐπαγγελία promise may be expressed by for. Godliness involves a promise for this life and for the next; but for this life as it reflects the heavenly life, is shaped and controlled by it, and bears its impress. Godliness has promise for the present life because it has promise for the life which is to come. Only the life which is in Christ Jesus (2Ti 1:1) is life indeed, 1Ti 6:19. Comp. 1Pe 3:10; 1Co 3:21-23.