A HEALTHY THOUGHT – by Raphael ben Levi
“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 and there is no shortage of professionals in the field who offer support in their particular area of specialism.
In his letter to Timothy, Paul makes an analogy of comparison which in Hebrew is known as, ‘kal v’chomer’ (‘light and heavy’) judgements that is regularly employed in Jewish law. ‘ Kal v’chomer’ is an extrapolation from a minor premise to a major one. Paul was making the point that although physical exercise holds a valid place in our lives, our spiritual health and well-being is infinitely greater. His words to Timothy could be paraphrased: “If people spent as much time on their spiritual health as they do with their physical well-being, they would probably be in far better shape!”
