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 Contemporary English Version indicates that it is following this option by placing quotation marks in 4:8. However, most other versions only indicate that they follow this interpretation by the way they word the verse or by the punctuation they use.

(Berean Standard Bible, Contemporary English Version, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised Standard Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, NET Bible, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004 Revision), God’s Word)

Most commentators also support this view.

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

(New International Version (2011 Revision), Revised English Bible)

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 Berean Standard Bible 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 Berean Standard Bible 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 Berean Standard Bible 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 Berean Standard Bible translates as godliness refers to the way people behave when they respect God.

is valuable in every way: This contrasts with the words that the Berean Standard Bible 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 Contemporary English Version 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.

Paragraph 4:9–10

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All Scripture quotations in this publication, unless otherwise indicated, are from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible. BSB is produced in cooperation with Bible Hub, Discovery Bible, OpenBible.com, and the Berean Bible Translation Committee.