Exercise (3)

Scripture

Obesity, high blood pressure, anxiety and depression.

2 groups studies “ever runners” vs “never runners”

Ever runners

increase bone mass

hearth health.

lived longer.

improved health

34% had died

Never runners

50% died.

1 Timothy 4:8 NKJV

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

In

Every 1 minute of exercise you gain 2 min of life.

borrow

Prevent cancer

Physical fitness is the most beneficial habit we can add.

500 calories has great benefits.

A word in the bible which is used once in the whole entire bible.

1 Timothy 4:8 NKJV

For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

Easton’s Bible Dictionary Exercise, Bodily

EXERCISE, BODILY—(1 Tim. 4:8). An ascetic mortification of the flesh and denial of personal gratification (comp. Col. 2:23) to which some sects of the Jews, especially the Essenes, attached importance.

1 Timothy

A Greek-English Lexicon γυμνᾰσία

γυμνᾰσία, ἡ, right to use γυμνάσιον, Arist.Pol.1297a17 (s.v.l.); exercise, σωματικὴ γ. 1Ep.Ti.4.8: pl., IG22.1006.65, SIG1073.19 (Olympia, ii A.D.); of military exercises, ἡ ἐν τοῖς ὅπλοις γ. Plb.4.7.6; generally, struggle, Str.3.2.7; αἱ καθʼ ἡμέραν γ. lessons, D.H.Comp.20: metaph. of mental exercise, Iamb.Comm.Math.24; freq. of disputation, Pl.Tht.169c, Arist.Top.101a27, al.; training, γ. πρὸς τὰς πολιτικὰς πράξεις Plb.1.1.2.

Colossians 2:23 NKJV

These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

The word Gymnasia means:

γυμνᾰσία, ἡ, right to use γυμνάσιον; exercise, σωματικὴ γ. 1Ep.Ti.4.8: Olympia; of military exercises, struggle, contest.

Pol Aristoteles Philosophus [Arist.] iv b.c.

See entry in Author and Works List for specific works.

s.v.l s. v. l. = si vera lectio

pl pl. = plural

γυμνᾰσία, ἡ, right to use γυμνάσιον; exercise, σωματικὴ γ. 1Ep.Ti.4.8: Olympia; of military exercises, struggle, contest.

IG IG = Inscriptiones Graecae. See Complete Listing.

2 IG = Inscriptiones Graecae. See Complete Listing.

2 IG = Inscriptiones Graecae. See Complete Listing.

SIG SIG = Sylloge Inscriptionum Graecarum, ed. W. Dittenberger, editio tertia, Leipzig 1915–24 [Hildesheim 1960]. (SIG2 = editio altera, 1898–1901.)

Comp Dionysius Halicarnassensis [D.H.] i b.c.

See entry in Author and Works List for specific works.

metaph metaph. = metaphorically, metaphorical

Iamb Iamblichus Philosophus [Iamb.] iv a.d.

See entry in Author and Works List for specific works.

1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV

But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Comm.Math Iamblichus Philosophus [Iamb.] iv a.d.

See entry in Author and Works List for specific works.

2 Corinthians 11:27 NKJV

in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—

freq freq. = frequent, frequently

Tht Plato Philosophus [Pl.] v/iv b.c.

See entry in Author and Works List for specific works.

2 Corinthians 10:4–6 NKJV

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Arist Aristoteles Philosophus [Arist.] iv b.c.

See entry in Author and Works List for specific works.

Top Aristoteles Philosophus [Arist.] iv b.c.

Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, vol. 34, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 135.

See entry in Author and Works List for specific works.

al al. = alibi (i.e. elsewhere in the same author)

Henry George Liddell et al., A Greek-English Lexicon (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996), 362.

Context

Context:

The Bible Guide Take Care of Yourself (1 Timothy 4:11–16)

Paul encourages Timothy to give a lead in these matters. He is not to leave it to those who are older or more experienced. He is to keep his own life in good order and be an example to others. Ezra in the Old Testament and Jesus himself each believed in living the truth yourself before applying it to others (Ezra 7:10; Matthew 5:19).

Context of book:

The apostle Paul is writing to Timothy—a younger man who is like a son to him. Timothy is living in Ephesus, where he has some responsibility for correct teaching and sound pastoral care of the church.

In this first letter Paul warns Timothy about false teachers who are active in the church. Their complicated and obscure ideas are distracting and dangerous.

In this book, Paul also gives Timothy some guidelines on major aspects of church life.

Andrew Knowles, The Bible Guide, 1st Augsburg books ed. (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 2001), 645.

Andrew Knowles, The Bible Guide, 1st Augsburg books ed. (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 2001), 645.

Context of chapter:

Paul encourages Timothy to give a lead in these matters. He is not to leave it to those who are older or more experienced. He is to keep his own life in good order and be an example to others. Ezra in the Old Testament and Jesus himself each believed in living the truth yourself before applying it to others (; ). Andrew Knowles, The Bible Guide, 1st Augsburg books ed. (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 2001), 650.

Paul was encouraging Timothy to do as Jesus did. first live and show the example, and invite them to do likewise.

Character:

Paul, Timothy,

Complication:

According to some scholars the issue in Timothy’s area is that there were people who taught things contrary to what Christ taught.

They took in the philosophy that the body was bad, and aim was in order for people become more spiritual they needed to step away from the earthly desires.

They took in the philosophy that the body was bad, and our aim should be to step away form earthly desires to become more spiritual.

“Behind this is the idea that this world and our bodies are bad. The world must be avoided and our bodies must be punished. If we try hard enough, we will escape from the pull of earthly desires and become spiritual enough to go to heaven.”

These were Christians in the church who Timothy was dealing with.

Andrew Knowles, The Bible Guide, 1st Augsburg books ed. (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 2001), 650.

That all being said, what did Paul mean in

To better understand, I found that the verse can be separated into two

Two sections

The prescription

“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things”

The result

“having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”

Two words which gives us depth to Paul’s thinking

The word Gymnasia means:

γυμνᾰσία, 1Ep.Ti.4.8: Olympia; of military exercises, struggle, contest. Strengthens the body.

He is saying to Timothy that training of the body is still important.

He is not saying to Timothy that the body is evil, and he should avoid looking after it.

The word eusebeia means:

In simple, it means “religion”.

“appropriate beliefs and devout practice of obligations relating to supernatural persons and powers—‘religion, piety.”

Enhance our spiritual walk with God.

Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 530.

Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 531.

Paul transitions from physical to spiritual

Parallels

Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon 2. Warnings and Directions (4:7–11)

The person who benefits most from exercise does it routinely and with determination. The athlete stretches and runs because these exercises lead him toward the greater goal of fitness. In the same way, prayer, fasting, Bible study, and other disciplines are not ends in themselves but means to a fuller relationship with God. We pursue righteousness, peace, and love because we pursue God.

Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon 2. Warnings and Directions (4:7–11)

The person who benefits most from exercise does it routinely and with determination. The athlete stretches and runs because these exercises lead him toward the greater goal of fitness. In the same way, prayer, fasting, Bible study, and other disciplines are not ends in themselves but means to a fuller relationship with God. We pursue righteousness, peace, and love because we pursue God.

f

The person who benefits most from exercise does it routinely and with determination. The athlete stretches and runs because these exercises lead him toward the greater goal of fitness. In the same way, prayer, fasting, Bible study, and other disciplines are not ends in themselves but means to a fuller relationship with God. We pursue righteousness, peace, and love because we pursue God.

Knute Larson, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, vol. 9, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 205–206.

The person who benefits most from exercise does it routinely and with determination. The athlete stretches and runs because these exercises lead him toward the greater goal of fitness. In the same way, prayer, fasting, Bible study, and other disciplines are not ends in themselves but means to a fuller relationship with God. We pursue righteousness, peace, and love because we pursue God.

Knute Larson, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, vol. 9, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 205–206.

Paul is saying practice good religion. Train good religion.

Conclusion

In closing, Physical exercise is important, however, it is in the context of making us better people for Gods kingdom. Whether it be physical or spiritual, we are called to train for the one purpose, furthering the kingdom of God.

As much as we need to exercise our bodies, we are encouraged to exercise religious duties, such as caring, connecting, complimenting, ultimately becoming more like Christ.

Ellen White

A look into the life of Jesus, in which Ellen White writes;

Recreation Chapter 11—Manual Training

The Bible says of Jesus, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon Him.” As He worked in childhood and youth, mind and body were developed. He did not use His physical powers recklessly, but gave them such exercise as would keep them in health, that He might do the best work in every line. He was not willing to be defective, even in the handling of tools. He was perfect as a workman, as He was perfect in character. By precept and example, Christ has dignified useful labor.

My prayer is that what ever we choose to exercise, physical or spiritual, that we may do with excellence that Christ did.

Let us pray....