We live in a polarized age. Nearly every subject—religious, political, or social—seems to be marked by deep divisions. Physical fitness is no exception. In recent years, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, some have developed a heightened interest in bodily health and exercise, while others see little value or importance in it at all.
As with many cultural trends, Christians can be tempted either to uncritically adopt the enthusiasm of the world or to dismiss the matter entirely as superficial or unspiritual. This raises an important question: how should Christians think about physical fitness?
What Does the Bible Say About Exercise?
For those looking for the direct command, “thou shalt exercise,” you will be disappointed to know we find no such command. However, the Scriptures are not silent on the matter. Let us look at a few truths we can draw out to help us answer this question.
We know that our bodies are temples of God and that we ought to glorify Him in our bodies (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19-20). We know that our bodies are to be given as living sacrifices to God (Rom. 12:1). We know that we are commanded to love God with our strength (Deut. 6:6; Mk. 12:30).
While none of these three truths directly involves physical exercise, we can still use the principles within them to guide us. The principle in each of these is that God is not only concerned with what we do with our souls, but also what we do with our bodies. We are not Gnostics, supposing that the physical is evil and the spiritual is good. Rather, we affirm that God has made the whole man—body and soul. Therefore, we ought to glorify Him in both.
We can see in principle that God is concerned about what we do with our bodies. But how does this tie into exercise? Do the Scriptures ever address the issue specifically? Indeed, they do.
Examining That One Verse
“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:8
Here we see the Apostle Paul explicitly saying that bodily exercise is profitable. But if your experience is similar to mine, when this verse is cited, it is often used to effectively deny that fact. Since the argument is that bodily exercise profits little in comparison to godliness, many will conclude that it is of no real value at all.
The problem with this is that Paul says it does profit. It is granted that it is not as profitable as godliness, but it is profitable, nonetheless. We must understand that Paul is not making an either/or statement. Instead, he is arguing from the lesser to the greater. In other words, his argument is, since bodily exercise is profitable, how much more profitable is godliness?
We can conclude that bodily exercise, according to the scriptures, is profitable. However, we must maintain the balance that the Apostle offers, namely, that godliness is more profitable. To elevate bodily exercise over godliness is a serious error. This, however, is not the predominant error of our day.
Just recently, I read a pastor commenting on this verse and admitting that exercise is profitable, yet without missing a beat, began to warn that we do not elevate it over and above godliness. To me, this seems like crying “fire!” amid floodwaters. Are we really in danger of becoming too concerned with exercise? Or are we in danger of a different error?
My aim is not to make accusations, rather to probe. When we examine our own lives, are we in more danger of elevating exercise above godliness or ignoring it altogether? And I will also submit to you that perhaps we do not need to make such a hard distinction between the two. Have you considered that physical fitness could assist you in your pursuit of godliness? Let me offer some examples of how it can.
“We are debtors to our bodies, to keep them in that condition whereby they may be serviceable unto our souls.” – John Owen
Why Not Both?
In Proverbs, speaking of the godly woman, we read, “She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.” (Pro. 31:17). In between verses about this godly woman planting a vineyard and making clothing for her family, we read of physical strength. Here we see that godliness and physical strength are not mutually exclusive, but rather that strength serves the pursuit of godliness.
We also know that “if anyone does not provide for his household…he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Tim. 5:8). Provision here is primarily financial, as it is in the context of providing for widows and orphans. However, a man is called to provide more than just money for his family. He is to provide protection as well (Prov. 14:26). In both of these examples, bodily exercise will more than likely assist in godliness.
In the case of a godly father, the ability to work to provide financially and offer physical protection is largely assisted by a higher level of physical fitness. This is also true in the case of the godly mother. Physical fitness is not an alternative to godliness; it is an assistant to it.
“God has given us a body not to weaken it by sloth, but to make it strong for service.” – John Chrysostom
Conclusion
Christians, then, need not choose between godliness and physical fitness, as though concern for one necessarily eliminates the other. Scripture gives us neither license for obsession nor justification for neglect. Bodily exercise is not ultimate, but it is profitable; not an end in itself, but a means that can serve higher ends. When ordered rightly, physical fitness becomes one more way we steward what God has entrusted to us for His glory and the good of others.
We are not permitted to idolize strength, nor to excuse weakness under the guise of piety. Rather, we offer our whole selves—body and soul—to God, disciplined by wisdom and ever aimed toward His glory.
“The body is the servant of the soul; therefore, we must take heed we do not overtask it, nor yet suffer it to rust with sloth.” – Thomas Watson