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1Ti 4:8
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.

I agree it is written in a relative sense of flesh and Spirit.

Does this verse suggest - if taken literally, that exercising is not good?
If not, what degree of exercise is accepted?

Hmmm.... Gives me an excuse to be a couch potatoe.

Actually I think that it might mean that we should worry more about godliness and doing what God wants us to do rather then focusing our attention on things of less importance.

Hello RKJ,

First, I would realize that our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit and we should take care of it in a reasonable manner.

I think this verse would apply to people who have such a mania about their bodies that they actually make it like a god that they worship. Anything can be overdone and become like an idol. Let's say that you spent 6 hours a day working out and trying to look like one of those muscle-men, and you spent 6 minutes per day studying your Bible. Your priorities would be out of order, and it would be possible to make your body into an idol.

So, I actually think that the gist of the verse could be - don't turn your physical body into an idol.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Romans 10:16-17 NASB  However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Amen to that, However if you trained your body for 6 hours a day and studied your bible for 7 hours a day  this would be fine (although I would ask where you get so much free time from)

It's not so much do less exersice to match your study time but rather do more studying to make your Spirit-man as muscley as your body.

Ian

I agree with you guys.  You guys explained it better then me.

RKJ, we belong to GOD, spirit, soul, and body. We are to take care of our bodies, as well as we take care of our soul and spirit. Physical exersice is not the only way to take care of our body, but also how we eat, what we eat, and what we put in it in general, that includes smoking, drugs, alcohol, etc. We can easily abuse our body and become our own worse enemy, the same holds true for the soul and the spirit. If we feed our eyes with lasciviousness, and lustfulness, that is what we will eventually reap. If we spend time building and nourishing our spirit, we grow and mature and grow closer to GOD. Following is and excert from Pooles Commentary regarding this Scirpture:


 Ver. 8. For bodily exercise profiteth little; {little: or, for a little time} (temporarily) bodily discipline, lying in abstaining from certain meats, keeping set fasts, watchings, lying upon the ground, going barefoot, wearing sackcloth or haircloth, abstaining from wine or marriage, is of little advantage, the mind and soul of man is not bettered by them: the apostle doth not altogether despise these things, some of which may be useful (moderately used) to make us more fit for prayer, especially upon solemn occasions; but these are not things wherein religion is to be put, and alone they are of no avail.
 
  But godliness is profitable unto all things;  but godliness, which lieth in the true worship and service of God, out of a true principle of the fear of God and faith in him; or (more generally) holiness of life in obedience to God's commandments, is of universal advantage; having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come; not from any meritoriousness in it, but from the free grace of God, which hath annexed to it not only the promises of health, peace, and prosperity, and all good things while we live here upon the earth, but also the promises of salvation and eternal happiness when this life shall be determined.

While we can and should to some extent exercise our body and take care of it,  as the Temple of God, we should keep in mind that the body we have here on earth is temporary, while our spirit is eternal.That is why we should practice godliness above all

Your sister in Christ,
Maria

One man, said he got to go swimming on Sunday and that is the only time he gets in a week!  This verse was quoted to him.  I totally agree.  Nothing can come above God and His worship/service.

But I see a lot of Christians/preachers who have taken this so deep into their hearts and just balloon out at places :o! Keeping fit or in shape do not figure in the list of priorities!  I don't let this affect me when I am all ears to hear the Word of God. 

People sure can make some effort (not necessarily long working out), like airIam2worship says
" Physical exercise is not the only way to take care of our body, but also how we eat, what we eat, and what we put in it in general, that includes smoking, drugs, alcohol, etc."

Showing discipline in this area would also glorify God in the eyes of those who are 'yet to come'/

Me working out 6 hours ;D !

Lots of good points being made here, so I think I'll throw in my opinion if you no one minds.  Some of my best moments with the Lord have been spent on my morning jogs.  So quiet and peaceful, plus the conversation and praying makes the run go much quicker.  My newest idea actually came from DW after reading a post on this site, so now I like to memorized a passage from the Bible and go through it several times while I"m jogging. I'm learning, at least at this stage of my life, that everything I do during the day should revolve around the Lord, why not just incorporate the two.  Exercise also clears my mind, so when I do sit down with the word of God, my head is in a much better place.  This is just what I found with myself.  I"m sure its different for all of us.  I do agree that you most certainly cannot neglect the Word, prayer, ex................if you do, no exercise in the world is going to improve your health!!!!!!!!
Peace to you all!
-AM-

Close enough  ;)

i pretty much agree with everyone. Although when i first read this, i jumped with joy cause i HATE excersising on purpose.  Sure, i love riding and competing on my horse and hiking with my dog but running just for the sole purpose of running???? Or worse.....running on the treadmill going nowhere?? Not for me!!
If not for my deep love for God and my knowledge that i only get one body and He wants me to care for it, i might weigh about 100 more pounds.  :P

Hello Jessie, welcome to CU, I am not physically able to run, and for the moment I am not able to walk more than a block or 2. I do love to walk and as soon as I start to feel a little better, I put on my walking shoes, my comfortble clothes, sun block, my earphones with some Christian music of a Christian message, and off I go. I pray as I walk, I pray for my neighbors, for my state, for our country, for my children, I praise God, I sing to Him and walking becomes such a wonderful experience with my God that sometimes without even realizing it I have walked more than 2 miles.  :D  Ususally when I get that far I have to call my husband and have him come drive me back, I shouldn't overdo it but it just becomes so enjoyable to walk and talk to God and be in His presence even if you are exerscing/  :D

In Christ,
Maria

Thank you Maria! You're so sweet. And you made your walks sound so beautiful....i think i might just last a couple blocks on that walk!

AMEN Sister!  ;D

Isn't God good ?

No, GOD is GREAT!!

Amen!!!!

ONLY GOD IS GOOD :)