According to 1 Timothy 4:8, Physical exercise profits little... It's good for us and we feel better and we're healthier in general, however, the Greek words mean it profits to but a small extent. Profits little (πρὸς ὀλίγον ἐστὶν ὠφέλιμος)
The next part of that passage says "but godliness is profitable in all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." So, physical exercise helps to a small extent, especially compared to godliness and working out our salvation, with fear and trembling. Godliness is good now and in the life to come.
The Geneva Study Bible puts it this way: Godliness consists in spiritual exercise, and not in outward strictness of life, which though it is something to be esteemed, if it is used correctly, yet it is in no way comparable with godliness. For it profits not in and of itself, but through the benefit of another; but godliness has the promise both of the present life, and of that which is to come." I like that.
In Philippians 2:12 it says, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,"
It is even clearer to me in the Amplified version, "Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).
Those last words really speak to my spirit about my flesh and the attitude I should have toward my flesh...
- to not trust my flesh
- to show serious caution
- to have tenderness of conscience
- to show watchfulness against temptation
- to draw back from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Jesus!
To shrink is defined as:
3. To draw back instinctively, as from something alarming; recoil.
4. To show reluctance; hesitate: shrink from making such a sacrifice.
The word fear, used in Philippians 2:12 is: (Strong's Concordance #5401) fobov // phobos // fob'-os // from a primary phebomai (to be put in fear);
1) fear, dread, terror
1a) that which strikes terror
The word tremble is: 5156 // tromov // tromos // trom'-os // from 5141 ; n m AV - trembling 4, tremble + 2192 1; 5
1) a trembling or quaking with fear
2) with fear and trembling, used to describe the anxiety of one who distrusts his ability completely to meet all requirements, but religiously does his utmost to fulfill his duty.
I like what it says above: "the anxiety of one who distrusts HIS ABILITY completely to meet all requirements" however I don't agree with the part that says, "but religiously does his utmost to fulfill his duty." Why? Look at the next verse. Philippians 2:13 says, "It is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."
It is God. HE works in us, not us religiously doing our best to meet God's requirements. We will always fail on our own to work out our salvation.
How very powerful, how very freeing, that it is God who works in us both to will and to do things that will bring Him pleasure! Ultimately, bringing Him pleasure, brings us pleasure.
To will comes from Strong's # 2309 thelō
1) to will, have in mind, intend
1a) to be resolved or determined, to purpose
1b) to desire, to wish
1c) to love
1c1) to like to do a thing, be fond of doing
1d) to take delight in, have pleasure
To do comes from: 1754 // energew // energeo // en-erg-eh'-o // AV - work 12, show forth (one's) self 2, wrought 1, be effectual 1,effectually work 1, effectual fervent 1, work effectually in 1, be might in 1, to do 1; 21
1) to be operative, be at work, put forth power
1a) to work for one, aid one
2) to effect
3) to display one's activity, show one's self operative
It is interesting that the word energew // energeo // en-erg-eh'-o looks very similar to energy!
The word rendered "good pleasure" - εὐδοκία eudokia - means "delight, good-will, favor;" then "good pleasure, purpose, will.
So, in other words, God works in us to give us the:
- desire and the energy to please Him, to delight Him
- The determination and the power to do what brings Him pleasure
- The ability to take delight and pleasure to be at work pleasing Him, which brings His favor
Oh, God, I've tasted Your Words tonight,
they are so sweet.
Your Words were found and I ate them
and they became for me the joy
and the delight of my heart!
"We will, but God works the will in us. We work, therefore, but God works the working in us" (Augustine).
Now days, not many of us quake in our boots about working out our salvation. Why is that? Now days so few long to bring God pleasure. Why?
“If you don't feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great.” ― John Piper, A Hunger for God
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