1 Timothy 4:7-8

1 Timothy 4:7-8

[7] But  refuse  profane  and  old wives'  fables,  and  exercise  thyself  rather unto  godliness.  [8] For  bodily  exercise  little:  but  godliness  profitable  unto  all things,  having  promise  of the life  that now is,  and  of that which is to come. 

What does 1 Timothy 4:7-8 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Timothy should not become embroiled in refuting the fables of these false teachers ( 1 Timothy 1:4) that have a certain appeal, but only as curiosities. These fables are godless and worthless.
Rather, he should train himself in godliness. This requires rigorous self-discipline. In allowing marriages and eating all kinds of food Paul was not advocating undisciplined Christian living. However, Timothy should direct his discipline at the development of spiritual rather than physical strength. Physical self-discipline has a very limited value compared with spiritual self-discipline that results in future as well as present improvements.
In view of the context ( 1 Timothy 4:3) Paul may have had the asceticism the false teachers advocated in mind in his reference to "bodily discipline" ( 1 Timothy 4:8). The Greek word translated "life" ( 1 Timothy 4:8) is zoe, the higher principle of life, the perfect antithesis to death (cf. 1 Timothy 4:1-3), rather than bios, the physical aspect of life. [1]