OET interlinear 1 TIM 4:8

4:8–10

In 4:9, Paul used an expression that he had used before (see the note on 1:15a). He was indicating that he was quoting a saying that was probably known to Timothy and other believers.

However, in this chapter, scholars do not agree about the contents of the saying. There are two main views:

1. The saying is in 4:8. The CEV indicates that it is following this option by placing quotation marks in 4:8.Knight, page 198, says, “The following considerations have convinced me that v. 8 is the saying: V. 8 looks like a proverbial saying, a point acknowledged by those who opt for v. 10. It contains two unique words, γυμνασία [=‘exercise’] (a NT hapax) and σωματικός [=‘bodily’] (only here and Lk. 3:22 in the NT), whereas v. 10 contains none, and it is more stereotyped in form than v. 10. V. 9 urges a personal response to the saying with the words ‘worthy of full acceptance,’ words that are only added to the citation-commendation formula when the note of personal response is not contained in the saying itself (see the comments on 1:15; Faithful Sayings, 30, 143f.), which is the case with v. 8, but not with v. 10, with its first person plural (‘we’) verbs….V. 10 does seem to be a more lofty theological statement than v. 8 and does include the note of salvation found in other ‘faithful sayings’ (e.g., 1 Tim. 1:15), but certainly v. 8 is equally significant as a theological statement, and the concept of salvation is not present in all the ‘faithful sayings’ (e.g., 1 Tim. 3:1; cf. also 2 Tim. 2:11–13). And form is a surer guide than content. Finally, the foil statement in v. 8a, γὰρ σωματικὴ γυμνασία πρὸς ὀλίγον ἐστὶν ὠφέλιμος [=‘for bodily exercise for a little is profitable’] can be better explained as part of a ‘saying.’” However, most other versions only indicate that they follow this interpretation by the way they word the verse or by the punctuation they use. (BSB, CEV, GNT, NJB, RSV, KJV, NASB, NET, NCV, NLT, GW) Most commentators also support this view.

2. The saying is found in 4:10. (NIV, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) as it is supported by the majority of scholars.

4:8a

For: The Greek word that the BSB translates as For connects 4:8 with 4:7. It explains the reason that it was important for Timothy to train himself to be godly (4:7b).

physical exercise: This phrase refers to the way an athlete trains his body to become strong. Paul used the same word for exercise here as he used in the expression “train yourself” in 4:7b. However here he added the word that the BSB translates as physical, that is, “bodily.”

is of limited value: When Paul said that physical training is of limited value, he meant that physical training did benefit people in some way. However, he made it clear in 4:8b that godliness benefited people more. Physical training helps people only while they are alive on earth. Godliness helps people now and also after they die.

4:8b

but: The word that the BSB translates as but indicates that there is a contrast between physical training (4:8a) and spiritual training (4:8b).

godliness: Paul was still talking about training, but now the emphasis was on spiritual training. As the note on “godliness” in 4:7b said, the Greek word that the BSB translates as godliness refers to the way people behave when they respect God. See godliness, godly in the Glossary.

is valuable in every way: This contrasts with the words that the BSB translates as “is of some value” in 4:8a.

4:8c

holding promise: This part of the verse explains the way in which “godliness has value for all things” (4:8b). It is because it holds promise. This means that when a person trains himself in godliness, he can be sure that there will be a reward (from God).

for the present life and for the one to come: This verse does not state what the rewards might be. But it does say that there will be rewards both before and after a person dies. The CEV has one way to express this:

It promises life now and forever.

Paul used a saying that was well known to the believers at that time. He had done the same thing in 1:15a and 3:1a.