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. Do you ever go to a Bible study and come away thinking, “I never knew that before – and it is exactly what I needed to hear”? It happened to me yesterday. I had been feeling a bit downhearted. A Christian lady who had not realised we had home educated our children was telling me what a shame it was that home educated children missed out on so much academically. I tried to explain that not only was this not the case with many home educated children but that also, even if it was the case, there were more important things that academic achievement. She did not get my points. Then came the Bible study. I used to think that in 1 Timothy 4:8 the Apostle Paul was comparing the value of physical exercise – sport for instance – to training in godliness. Yes, there is some value in physical exercise but it is only felt in this life. The value of godliness, however, is eternal. All true. However, I learned at the Bible study that there is something more. Apparently the Greek word used for “bodily exercise” relates to the word “gymnasium”. This word in English usage does indeed mean a place where you do physical training. However, in the rest of Europe, especially in Germany, the word also means what we might call a “grammar school” – a place where you go for mental training. In other words we can consider that all training of body and mind except training in godliness is of secondary importance. Wow! That is an encouragement!
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