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1 Timothy 4

1 Tim. 4:8 KJV (With Strong’s)

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8
For
pros (Greek #4314)
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated)
KJV usage: about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
Pronounce: pros
Origin: a strengthened form of 4253
esti (Greek #2076)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
KJV usage: are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Pronounce: es-tee'
Origin: third person singular present indicative of 1510
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
gar (Greek #1063)
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
KJV usage: and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Pronounce: gar
Origin: a primary particle
bodily
somatikos (Greek #4984)
corporeal or physical
KJV usage: bodily.
Pronounce: so-mat-ee-kos'
Origin: from 4983
exercise
gumnasia (Greek #1129)
training, i.e. (figuratively) asceticism
KJV usage: exercise.
Pronounce: goom-nas-ee'-ah
Origin: from 1128
profiteth
Greek #5624
helpful or serviceable, i.e. advantageous
KJV usage: profit(-able).
Pronounce: o-fel'-ee-mos
Origin: from a form of 3786
ξlittle
oligos (Greek #3641)
puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat
KJV usage: + almost, brief(-ly), few, (a) little, + long, a season, short, small, a while.
Pronounce: ol-ee'-gos
Origin: of uncertain affinity
: but
de (Greek #1161)
but, and, etc.
KJV usage: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Pronounce: deh
Origin: a primary particle (adversative or continuative)
godliness
eusebeia (Greek #2150)
piety; specially, the gospel scheme
KJV usage: godliness, holiness.
Pronounce: yoo-seb'-i-ah
Origin: from 2152
o is
esti (Greek #2076)
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
KJV usage: are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Pronounce: es-tee'
Origin: third person singular present indicative of 1510
profitable
Greek #5624
helpful or serviceable, i.e. advantageous
KJV usage: profit(-able).
Pronounce: o-fel'-ee-mos
Origin: from a form of 3786
unto
pros (Greek #4314)
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated)
KJV usage: about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, (where-)by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), X together, to (you) -ward, unto, with(-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
Pronounce: pros
Origin: a strengthened form of 4253
all things
pas (Greek #3956)
apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole
KJV usage: all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
Pronounce: pas
Origin: including all the forms of declension
, having
echo (Greek #2192)
(used in certain tenses only) a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
KJV usage: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
Pronounce: ekh'-o
Origin: σχέω (skheh'-o)
promise
epaggelia (Greek #1860)
an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)
KJV usage: message, promise.
Pronounce: ep-ang-el-ee'-ah
Origin: from 1861
p of the life
zoe (Greek #2222)
life (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: life(-time). Compare 5590.
Pronounce: dzo-ay'
Origin: from 2198
that now is
nun (Greek #3568)
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
KJV usage: henceforth, + hereafter, of late, soon, present, this (time). See also 3569, 3570.
Pronounce: noon
Origin: a primary particle of present time
, and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
of that which is to come
mello (Greek #3195)
to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probability, possibility, or hesitation)
KJV usage: about, after that, be (almost), (that which is, things, + which was for) to come, intend, was to (be), mean, mind, be at the point, (be) ready, + return, shall (begin), (which, that) should (after, afterwards, hereafter) tarry, which was for, will, would, be yet.
Pronounce: mel'-lo
Origin: a strengthened form of 3199 (through the idea of expectation)
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ξ
or,for a little time.
o
1 Tim. 6:6• 6But piety with contentment *is* great gain. (1 Tim. 6:6)
p
Psa. 84:11• 11For Jehovah Elohim is a sun and shield: Jehovah will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (Psa. 84:11)

More on:

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Godliness,
Life

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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bodily.
1 Sam. 15:22• 22And Samuel said, Has Jehovah delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, As in hearkening to the voice of Jehovah? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, Attention than the fat of rams. (1 Sam. 15:22)
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Psa. 50:7‑15• 7Hear, my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify unto thee: I am God, thy God.
 8I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices, or thy burnt-offerings, continually before me;
 9I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he-goats out of thy folds:
 10For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle upon a thousand hills;
 11I know all the fowl of the mountains, and the roaming creatures of the field are mine:
 12If I were hungry, I would not tell thee; for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
 13Should I eat the flesh of bulls, and drink the blood of goats?
 14Offer unto God thanksgiving, and perform thy vows unto the Most High;
 15And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psa. 50:7‑15)
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Isa. 1:11‑16• 11To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith Jehovah. I am sated with burnt-offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and in the blood of bullocks, and of lambs, and of he-goats I take no pleasure.
 12When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this from your hand--to tread my courts?
 13Bring no more vain oblations! Incense is an abomination unto me,--new moon and sabbath, the calling of convocations--wickedness and the solemn meeting I cannot bear.
 14Your new moons and your set feasts my soul hateth: they are a burden to me; I am wearied of bearing them.
 15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
 16Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes;--cease to do evil, (Isa. 1:11‑16)
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Isa. 58:3‑5• 3--Wherefore have we fasted, and thou seest not; have afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find what pleaseth you, and exact all your labours.
 4Behold, ye have fasted for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness; ye do not at present fast, to cause your voice to be heard on high.
 5Is such the fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul,--that he should bow down his head as a bulrush, and spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a fast, and a day acceptable to Jehovah? (Isa. 58:3‑5)
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Jer. 6:20• 20To what purpose should there come to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt-offerings are not acceptable, nor are your sacrifices pleasing unto me. (Jer. 6:20)
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Amos 5:21‑24• 21I hate, I despise your feasts, and I will not smell a sweet odour in your solemn assemblies.
 22For if ye offer up unto me burnt-offerings and your oblations, I will not accept them; neither will I regard the peace-offerings of your fatted beasts.
 23Take away from me the noise of thy songs, and I will not hear the melody of thy lutes;
 24but let judgment roll down as waters, and righteousness as an ever-flowing stream. (Amos 5:21‑24)
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1 Cor. 8:8• 8But meat does not commend us to God; neither if we should not eat do we come short; nor if we should eat have we an advantage. (1 Cor. 8:8)
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Col. 2:21‑23• 21Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch,
 22(things which are all for destruction in the using of them:) according to the injunctions and teachings of men,
 23(which have indeed an appearance of wisdom in voluntary worship, and humility, and harsh treatment of the body, not in a certain honour,) to the satisfaction of the flesh. (Col. 2:21‑23)
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Heb. 13:9• 9Be not carried away with various and strange doctrines; for it is good that the heart be confirmed with grace, not meats; those who have walked in which have not been profited by them. (Heb. 13:9)
little.
or, for a little time.
Heb. 9:9‑10• 9the which is an image for the present time, according to which both gifts and sacrifices, unable to perfect as to conscience him that worshipped, are offered,
 10consisting only of meats and drinks and divers washings, ordinances of flesh, imposed until the time of setting things right. (Heb. 9:9‑10)
godliness.
1 Tim. 6:6• 6But piety with contentment *is* great gain. (1 Tim. 6:6)
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Job 22:2• 2Can a man be profitable to *God? surely it is unto himself that the wise man is profitable. (Job 22:2)
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Titus 3:8• 8The word is faithful, and I desire that thou insist strenuously on these things, that they who have believed God may take care to pay diligent attention to good works. These things are good and profitable to men. (Titus 3:8)
having.
Deut. 28:1‑14• 1And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to take heed to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that Jehovah thy God will set thee supreme above all nations of the earth;
 2and all these blessings shall come on thee and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God.
 3Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.
 4Blessed shall be the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the offspring of thy kine, and the increase of thy sheep.
 5Blessed shall be thy basket and thy kneading-trough.
 6Blessed shalt thou be in thy coming in, and blessed shalt thou be in thy going out.
 7Jehovah will give up, smitten before thee, thine enemies that rise up against thee; they shall come out against thee one way, and by seven ways shall they flee before thee.
 8Jehovah will command blessing on thee in thy granaries, and in all the business of thy hand; and he will bless thee in the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee.
 9Jehovah will establish thee unto himself a holy people as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou keep the commandments of Jehovah thy God, and walk in his ways.
 10And all peoples of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of Jehovah, and they shall be afraid of thee.
 11And Jehovah will give thee abundance of good, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land that Jehovah swore unto thy fathers to give thee.
 12Jehovah will open to thee his good treasure, the heavens, to give rain unto thy land in its season, and to bless all the work of thy hand; and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow.
 13And Jehovah will make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if thou hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah thy God, which I command thee this day, to keep and to do them,
 14and if thou turn not aside from any of the words that I command thee this day, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. (Deut. 28:1‑14)
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Job 5:19‑26• 19He will deliver thee in six troubles, and in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
 20In famine he will redeem thee from death, and in war from the power of the sword.
 21Thou shalt be hidden from the scourge of the tongue; and thou shalt not be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
 22At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh, and of the beasts of the earth thou shalt not be afraid.
 23For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.
 24And thou shalt know that thy tent is in peace; and thou wilt survey thy fold, and miss nothing.
 25And thou shalt know that thy seed is numerous, and thine offspring as the herb of the earth.
 26Thou shalt come to the grave in a ripe age, as a shock of corn is brought in in its season. (Job 5:19‑26)
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Psa. 37:3‑4,16‑19,29• 3Confide in Jehovah, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on faithfulness;
 4and delight thyself in Jehovah, and he will give thee the desires of thy heart.
 16The little that the righteous hath is better than the abundance of many wicked;
 17for the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but Jehovah upholdeth the righteous.
 18Jehovah knoweth the days of the perfect; and their inheritance shall be for ever:
 19they shall not be ashamed in the time of evil, and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
 29The righteous shall possess the land, and dwell therein for ever. (Psa. 37:3‑4,16‑19,29)
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Psa. 84:11• 11For Jehovah Elohim is a sun and shield: Jehovah will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (Psa. 84:11)
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Psa. 91:10‑16• 10There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent.
 11For he shall give his angels charge concerning thee, to keep thee in all thy ways:
 12They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
 13Thou shalt tread upon the lion and the adder; the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under foot.
 14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
 15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him.
 16With length of days will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. (Psa. 91:10‑16)
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Psa. 112:1‑3• 1Hallelujah! Blessed is the man that feareth Jehovah, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
 2His seed shall be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
 3Wealth and riches shall be in his house; and his righteousness abideth for ever. (Psa. 112:1‑3)
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Psa. 128:1‑6• 1A Song of degrees. Blessed is every one that feareth Jehovah, that walketh in his ways.
 2For thou shalt eat the labour of thy hands; happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.
 3Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine in the inner part of thy house; thy children like olive-plants round about thy table.
 4Behold, thus shall the man be blessed that feareth Jehovah.
 5Jehovah will bless thee out of Zion; and mayest thou see the good of Jerusalem all the days of thy life,
 6And see thy children's children. Peace be upon Israel! (Psa. 128:1‑6)
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Psa. 145:19• 19He fulfilleth the desire of them that fear him; he heareth their cry, and saveth them. (Psa. 145:19)
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Prov. 3:16‑18• 16Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand riches and honour.
 17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
 18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is he that retaineth her. (Prov. 3:16‑18)
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Eccl. 8:12• 12Though a sinner do evil a hundred times, and prolong his days, yet I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, because they fear before him; (Eccl. 8:12)
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Isa. 3:10• 10Say ye of the righteous that it shall be well with him, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. (Isa. 3:10)
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Isa. 32:17‑18• 17And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever.
 18And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting-places. (Isa. 32:17‑18)
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Isa. 33:16• 16he shall dwell on high, the fortresses of the rocks shall be his high retreat; bread shall be given him, his water shall be sure. (Isa. 33:16)
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Isa. 65:13‑14• 13Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, my servants shall eat, and *ye* shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, and *ye* shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, and *ye* shall be ashamed;
 14behold, my servants shall sing aloud for gladness of heart, and *ye* shall cry out for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit. (Isa. 65:13‑14)
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Matt. 5:3‑12• 3Blessed are the poor in spirit, for *theirs* is the kingdom of the heavens.
 4Blessed they that mourn, for *they* shall be comforted.
 5Blessed the meek, for *they* shall inherit the earth.
 6Blessed they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for *they* shall be filled.
 7Blessed the merciful, for *they* shall find mercy.
 8Blessed the pure in heart, for *they* shall see God.
 9Blessed the peace-makers, for *they* shall be called sons of God.
 10Blessed they who are persecuted on account of righteousness, for *theirs* is the kingdom of the heavens.
 11Blessed are ye when they may reproach and persecute you, and say every wicked thing against you, lying, for my sake.
 12Rejoice and exult, for your reward is great in the heavens; for thus have they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matt. 5:3‑12)
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Matt. 6:33• 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matt. 6:33)
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Matt. 19:29• 29And every one who has left houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit life eternal. (Matt. 19:29)
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Mark 10:19‑20• 19Thou knowest the commandments: Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honour thy father and mother.
 20And he answering said to him, Teacher, all these things have I kept from my youth. (Mark 10:19‑20)
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Luke 12:31• 31but seek his kingdom, and all these things shall be added to you. (Luke 12:31)
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Luke 12:32• 32Fear not, little flock, for it has been the good pleasure of your Father to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32)
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Rom. 8:28• 28But we *do* know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to purpose. (Rom. 8:28)
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1 Cor. 3:22• 22Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things coming, all are yours; (1 Cor. 3:22)
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2 Peter 1:3‑4• 3As his divine power has given to us all things which relate to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us by glory and virtue,
 4through which he has given to us the greatest and precious promises, that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:3‑4)
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1 John 2:25• 25And this is the promise which *he* has promised us, life eternal. (1 John 2:25)
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Rev. 3:12,21• 12He that overcomes, him will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more at all out; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven, from my God, and my new name.
 21He that overcomes, to him will I give to sit with me in my throne; as *I* also have overcome, and have sat down with my Father in his throne. (Rev. 3:12,21)
• Here as in 1 Cor. 9 the figure appears to be taken from the public games, and the necessary preparation for them, so familiar to every Greek mind. Timothy was to be in constant training. (“On 1 Timothy 4:6-16” by W. Kelly)
• Piety is spiritual exercise and demands as constant vigilance as holy self-restraint, as complete subjection to the revealed will of God, as training for the games called for habitual abstinence from every relaxing habit and daily practice toward the end in view. (“On 1 Timothy 4:6-16” by W. Kelly)
• Bodily exercise profited little, but godliness much-both here below and for eternity. (“1 Timothy 4” by J.N. Darby)
• The safeguard against these evils is found in,"godliness". The truth of godliness (or according to the better translation "piety") has a very prominent place in this First Epistle to Timothy. The word is used sixteen times in the New Testament, nine of these occasions being found in this Epistle 2:2; 3:16; 4:4,7,8; 6:3,5,6,11). Piety is the confidence in the known and living God that leads the believer to walk in the holy fear of God amidst all the circumstances of life. It recognizes and honors God, and is therefore the very opposite of sanctimoniousness that seeks to exalt self. (“Warnings Against Religious Flesh and Instruction in Piety: 1 Timothy 4” by H. Smith)
• The allusion is probably to the public games, as in 1 Cor. 9:24,25, where, in speaking of the public races, he says, "every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things". He continues to warn us, in that passage, that such exercise in temperance only has a passing advantage; at best it only obtains " a corruptible crown; in contrast to the "incorruptible" which the Christian has in view. (“Warnings Against Religious Flesh and Instruction in Piety: 1 Timothy 4” by H. Smith)
• Piety is that individual confidence in God that takes up every circumstance of life in relation to God. (“Warnings Against Religious Flesh and Instruction in Piety: 1 Timothy 4” by H. Smith)

J. N. Darby Translation

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8
for bodily exercise is profitable for a littleg, but piety is profitable for everything, having promise of life, of the present one, and of that to come.

JND Translation Notes

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g
That is, "some small thing," rather than "a little time." It is in evident contrast with "everything."

W. Kelly Translation

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8
for bodily exercise is profitable for a little, but piety is profitable for all things, having promise of life that is now and of that which is to come.