“For though physical exercise does have some value, godliness is valuable for everything, since it holds promise both for the present life and for the life to come.” (1Tim.4:8)
Many people enjoy different forms of physical exercise at various levels and others engage purely for health reasons. There is no shortage of professionals in the field who offer their services in their particular area of specialism. Some make bold claims regarding the ‘uniqueness’ of their program with normally high price tabs attached! The annual turnover in this area of the service industry runs into billions of dollars.
In his letter to Timothy, Paul makes an analogy of comparison which in Hebrew is known as, ‘kal v’chomer’ (‘light and heavy ‘) judgements regularly employed in Jewish law. ‘ Kal v’chomer’ is an extrapolation from a minor premise to a major one. Paul stresses how although physical exercise has a place in our lives, our spiritual health and well-being is infinitely more important. His words could be paraphrased that if many people spent as much time on their spiritual health as they do with their physical well-being, they would be in far better shape!
Since our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit we would do well to pay due regard to both our physical and spiritual health for each has an important place in our lives. This is well illustrated in the following story shared by the sages.
Once as a famous rabbi was walking down a street amiably greeting the passers by, he noticed among the crowds a member of his synagogue who was trying to push his way through the throngs with single-minded determination. As he passed by the rabbi he murmured a greeting and pushed on ahead as though his very life depended upon it. The rabbi turned and shouted out to him;
“Why are you in such a rush? Where are you going?”
The man turned round to face the rabbi.
“I’m trying to pursue my living and have no time to be interrupted!”
The rabbi responded compassionately,
“Maybe you should give opportunity for your living to pursue you instead!”
I recall that story whenever I am tempted by the tyranny of the urgent or during my daily workout on the treadmill in an attempt to shed excess pounds off my culinary indulgences!
