Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:7–8)

In the modern world, humans have more opportunities to pursue the “some value” of bodily training than perhaps at any point in history. Books, podcasts, social media influencers, and more promise new and better pathways for physical mastery: intermittent fasting, sleep tracking and optimization, blue-light blockers, red-light therapy, standing desks, cold therapy, gut health, stretching, breathing, nature exposure — not to mention the proliferation of diets and exercise routines.

Navigating all these options can prove dizzying. At times, we might feel like throwing our hands in the air and giving up on the “some value” Paul describes. Or we might end up applying the “in every way” value of godliness to the pursuit of physical training. Rather than leaning too far in either direction, I hope to point toward what Paul means by “some,” and I want to consider what happens when we — accidentally or with intention — turn “some” into “in every way.”

Bodily Training’s ‘Some Value’

If we do not want to overemphasize (or ignore) the pursuit of health, then we would do well to know the purpose for which we take care of our bodies at all. What is the “some value” Paul speaks of in 1 Timothy 4:8? We might answer in several ways, but perhaps the greatest value of physical training lies here: As we train our bodies rightly, we train ultimately for godliness.

By God’s good design, our bodies and souls are united so intimately that the health of one can catalyze (or inhibit) the health of the other. Bodily training has the capacity to form not only physical muscles but also spiritual “habits of grit” necessary for a lifetime of godliness — habits such as self-control and endurance with an eye toward future reward (Titus 2:11–12).

What is more, Paul says elsewhere that physical training actually mirrors spiritual training (1 Corinthians 9:24–27). When you train your body to wake up early for a run in the cold, dark hours of a winter morning, you practice training your heart to yearn for sweet communion with God each day (Psalm 90:14). When you condition your palate to embrace healthy food over the temporary pleasures of over-processed junk, you practice conditioning your mind to crave the promises of Scripture over against the deceitful promises of sin.

We can better fulfill our calling as Christians and fight sin as we cultivate our physical health. As we, by God’s grace, master our physical bodies through diet, exercise, and other means, we not only can but should look through our material selves to spiritual realities.

Health for Health’s Sake

But can we go too far? We might resonate with popular mantras like “live better longer.” But without qualifying “better,” we can run into a world of hurt. In fact, we can embrace a whole new system for satisfaction.

“As we train our bodies rightly, we train ultimately for godliness.”

God has wired everyone to pursue joy. Our world’s craze for health is yet another instance of our innate craving for happiness. Health culture promises that we will be happy and fulfilled when we attain perfect health (or when we can finally keep our children away from any and all ailments). We pursue this goal by exercising intensely, dieting rigorously, avoiding environmental toxins, and maximizing our biomarkers.

As Christians, we avoid making health an end unto itself. We exist to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37–40), and we will be happy and fulfilled insofar as we live into this reality. We can seek the “some value” of 1 Timothy 4:8 by using physical training to pursue self-control and a healthy soul. Yet all the while, we fix our eyes on the great — and lasting — gain of godliness.

Diagnostic Exercise

How can we find the right balance? I don’t intend for us to overthink the tension between pursuing bodily fitness and spiritual health. Instead, consider just three areas of life that may serve as a helpful diagnostic as we judge the health of all our healthfulness: time, treasure, and enjoyment.

BALANCING TIME

The Scriptures exhort us to make “the best use of the time” (Ephesians 5:16), carefully considering our actions and walking in wisdom. Because God has united our souls with our bodies, the material nature of our lives is inescapable. We neither can nor should ignore physical health; sometimes, the best use of a Christian’s time will mean nourishing our bodies through food, rest, or exercise.

We also should consider, however, whether our time and attention spent on health critically cuts against the ultimate purpose for those physical activities. We want godliness — and we want that godliness to find expression in love for God and neighbor. Do we listen to podcasts on life-hacks far more than we dig into the Scriptures? Do we desire communion with God as much as alignment with our favorite trainer?

Our “spiritual” activities do not necessarily need to outnumber our “physical” ones in terms of hours spent, but the point remains. Do we plug into activities geared toward love for God and neighbor with even more intentionality than we give to activities geared toward health? When our minds wander, do we think about opportunities to help or support a friend, or do we fixate on threats to our bodies?

Our time reveals our priorities, so consider how you use it.

IDENTIFYING TREASURE

Jesus makes it clear that we cannot serve money and God (Matthew 6:19–24). Does it hurt our wallet to buy lunch for a friend when we don’t blink an eye at buying another pack of protein powder? Does our budget strain under the weight of supplying another meal for the family with a newborn while we hardly notice the subscriptions to vitamins and supplements, health coaching, or the gym?

Do we give generously and cheerfully to the needs of the poor (Matthew 25:35–40)? Do we contribute a minimum percent to our church, or do we think regularly about how to support its ministries even more (1 Corinthians 16:2)? Does our heart burn with excitement at opportunities to provide for the work of gospel ministry abroad (Philippians 4:15–16)?

Our money reveals our values, so consider how you might invest in the right priorities with the right level of emphasis.

ENJOYING GOD’S GIFTS

After considering time and money, we should also consider our ultimate purpose — joy in God through Christ. We can receive all things — including food and other material things — as set apart by God as we thank him for his gifts (1 Timothy 4:4–5).

Does our diet stop us from bonding with our children over the sweetness of honey? Does our commitment to sleep stop us from joyfully rising earlier than normal to enjoy fellowship with a friend — or staying up late to counsel a brother or sister in crisis? Does our exercise regimen prohibit us from savoring the simple gifts of leisure — turning rest into “recovery” and preventing us from delighting in moments of stillness?

While not allowing our belly to become our god (Philippians 3:19), we should also avoid allowing physical health to take God’s place. Solomon exhorts us to eat and drink with joy and a merry heart (Ecclesiastes 9:7). Wisdom tells us to enjoy the life God gives and do good while we have breath (Ecclesiastes 3:12–13).

It is good and right for Christians not to overdo the pursuit of physical health, and so too is it good and right to seek joy in God through physical health. If health is a means to health, it is wasted. But if health is a means to happiness in God, how great a use it has, both now and forevermore.