These words from Paul to Timothy put fitness and exercise into greater perspective

3 min read

“But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness. 'For physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.'” -1 Timothy 4:7-8

My wonderful children chipped in together and gifted me an Apple Watch for my birthday a couple of years ago.

Total game changer.

I’m late to the tech party – per usual – but now that I have an Apple Watch, I can’t imagine a workout without it.

There’s just something about it when those three rings spin around, indicating that you met all three of your fitness goals – move (red), exercise (green), and stand (blue)- for the day. It’s magical.

Why? How? My guess is that it has to do with the sense of completion and accomplishment that you get in seeing the rings completely closed.

I mean, I was disciplined and fairly consistent with my daily 30-40 minute workouts before the watch, but after using it and watching all 3 rings glow, spin around, and then close for the first time, I was hooked.

I guess you could say the watch, with those colorful rings, has become my interactive accountability partner. I’ve tried other watch faces, but they just don’t do it for me. I need the rings.

The Other Side of Fitness

Speaking of accountability partners, there is a statement that the Apostle Paul made to Timothy that always challenges me with regard to fitness (quoted above). In context, Paul and Timothy lived in a Greco-Roman culture where olympic athletes were highly celebrated.

In other words, fitness was a thing and the gymnasium was always buzzing, even way back then.

So, when Paul said to Timothy, “Train yourself for godliness,” he was drawing upon a very familiar metaphor. Timothy would have easily picked up on Paul’s point about the supreme value of spiritual exercise.

Since fitness and athletics are a pretty big deal in our culture, too, perhaps the point is also one that we should take to heart.

For the sake of brevity, we could sum up a biblical perspective on fitness this way:

1. Physical fitness has value. Paul himself, an apostle of the Lord Jesus, acknowledged that there is value in physical fitness. For those of you who say it’s a waste of time and energy, the Bible says differently. The source of the “saying” that Paul references here is not given, but the point is clear. Way before all the scientific studies elaborating on how fitness is good for you at just about every level, the Bible was on record saying that exercising the body is a good thing. God made these bodies of ours to move and when we do, we tap into a host of benefits.
2. Spiritual fitness has higher value. This is an important point. While Paul validates the value of physical fitness, he goes on to amplify the value of excercising ourselves toward becoming more devoted, godly people. This, he explains, has advantages not just in the present life, but in the afterlife, or “the life to come.” To level up your cardio conditioning with better VO2 readings or to get leaner and stronger in your crossfit regimen, these are a big deal. But to level up your devotion to Jesus and his teaching is even a bigger deal. When we work toward that, there will be a dividend here, but also in the hereafter.

The disciplines of prayer, meditation on the Word, and connecting with other Christians are just that, disciplines. There’s no way around it. Sometimes – maybe even most of the time – you’re not going to feel like doing them. But if you lower your shoulder and lean into them anyway, your dedication will be rewarded.

Hey, if you get a good feeling when you close the rings on your Apple Watch, imagine what Jesus has in store for you one day when you finish the BIG race! When he gives you your reward, your “rings” will close, never to reopen again. The workout of your life will be complete.

Until then, May God give you energy, joy, and satisfaction in your pursuit of fitness.

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.