Paul concurs with Christ that not only does godliness hold out to the believer the promise of eternal life, “which is to come,” but it gives peace, happiness, and blessings in this present life (see Ps. 34:12-14; Luke 18:28-30).

Any attention to either physical or mental training is merely a means to the one end of spiritual vitality. The Christlike character is the principal concern of the genuine Christian.

That is, in comparison with the supreme importance of training the character, which “is profitable unto all things.” Some believe that Paul is also comparing the temporary value of physical development with the present and future value of spiritual training. This may be true, but the fact that good health contributes to spiritual alertness and personality must not be ignored. “Health is an inestimable blessing, and one which is more closely related to conscience and religion than many realize” (GW 242).

 Paul is not here minimizing the benefits of physical exercise. The human body is “the temple of the Holy Ghost” (1 Cor. 6:19, 20), and it is mandatory for every Christian to keep himself in the best of health. To do so requires a reasonable amount of physical exercise. However, Paul is concerned lest physical austerity or exercise of any kind should be made an end in itself, to the detriment of godliness of character. The morality of any phase of healthful living consists not in what a person is doing with his body but in what spiritual advancement his increased physical stamina makes possible (see on 1 Cor. 9:24-27).