Disciplined Christian Living

GOLDEN TEXT: “But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 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 Timothy 4:7,8

I TIMOTHY 3:14-16

THE Emphatic Diaglott translation of verse 16 reads, “A pillar and foundation of the truth, and confessedly great, is the secret of piety; He who was manifested in the flesh, was justified in Spirit, was seen by messengers, was proclaimed among nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up to glory.” This translation favors the thought that Christ is the pillar and foundation of the truth. He is the secret of the Christian’s piety, godliness, or righteousness. His righteousness covers our imperfections, and his life of godliness is our example.

The Common Version translation gives the thought that the church is the “pillar and ground of the truth,” and of course all faithful disciples of Christ do support the truth by contending earnestly for the faith. But it is appropriate that in all things Christ should have the pre-eminence. The church would be nothing apart from Christ.

The Common Version translation states that through Jesus God was manifested in the flesh. This is true, although it in no way implies that Jesus was God. When Adam was created perfect and in the image of God, he manifested God in the flesh. Jesus said, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” (John 14:9) This simply means that Jesus was God’s representative on earth—a perfect human representative—saying and doing only those things commissioned by his Father. “My Father is greater than I,” Jesus also said, which proves that he himself was not the Father.—John 14:28

I TIMOTHY 4:4-12, 16

Paul informed Timothy that there would arise in the church those who would forbid marriage, and command that the brethren abstain from meats. (vs. 3) He explains that God had created meat to be received with thanksgiving by those who know the truth: “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer.”—vss. 4,5

Paul informs Timothy that if he put the brethren in remembrance of these things he would be a good minister of Jesus Christ, “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” (vs. 6) Clearly implied by these words is the fact that to be a good minister, Timothy would also need to feed the brethren with proper spiritual food, the “words of faith and of good doctrine.”

But, as our Golden Text states, Timothy was to refuse to permit himself to be drawn into controversies over old wives’ fables, and was to exercise himself unto godliness. “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things.”

Paul is not here implying that a Christian should not take any physical exercise. What he is emphasizing is that this should not be made an issue in the church. Those who wish to exercise should do so, and those who do not wish to exercise should not be coerced into doing so. After all, at best, there is but small benefit in exercise, and perhaps no spiritual good at all.

But the exercise of godliness, piety, reverence, along all lines set forth in the Bible is profitable to new creatures. It helps them to grow and to be strong while still in the flesh, and it helps to prepare them for the life to come, when they hope to be worthy to live and reign with Christ. Paul referred to one phase of this spiritual exercise when he wrote, “I keep under my body, and bring, it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should he a castaway.”—I Cor. 9:27

Verse 10 is a heartening one: “We both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.” Millions worship a god who, as they see it, will save only a few, while the vast majority of humanity will be lost. But our God has provided salvation through Christ for all who lost life through Adam. Those who believe and obey will attain eternal life, and we thank God for the abundant opportunity he has provided for all to this end.

Timothy was exhorted to take heed to himself and to the doctrine. Thus he could attain the great salvation offered through Christ for the present age, and encourage others also to attain.

QUESTIONS

Who is the pillar and ground of the truth according to the Diaglott translation?

Does the church share in this?

How did Jesus in the flesh manifest God?

What is the relative value of physical and spiritual exercise?

How is God the Savior of all men?

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