Tag: Perfection Never Complete

Training in Godliness (Fri. Dec. 17)

· Fr. Basil
The word of the day is “training.”  In our reading of 1 Timothy 4:4-8, 16, St. Paul motivates Timothy to train vigorously in piety and holiness.  He states, “For bodily exercise profits a little but godliness is profitable for all things…” (vs. 8). In our reading, Paul recommends exercise to combat the depravity that his opponents are fostering through their “old wife’s fables” (vs. 7).  The Greek term for “exercise” refers to vigorous training for the Greek games (Strong’s #1128, 62).  But the workouts that Paul promotes are spiritual not physical.  As professional athletes develop their body, so Paul’s understudy should develop his mind and spirit so that he can rebuff the misleading myths and fables of his challengers. Godliness:…

Timothy’s Spiritual Workout (Fri. Dec. 4)

· Fr. Basil
The word of the day is “training.”  In our reading of 1 Timothy 4:4-8, 16, St. Paul motivates Timothy to train vigorously, in piety and holiness.  He states, “For bodily exercise profits a little but godliness is profitable for all things…” (vs. 8). In our reading, Paul recommends “exercise” to combat the spiritual depravity that his opponents are fostering through their “old wives tales” (vs. 7).  But he promotes spiritual over physical workouts. The word “exercise” refers to vigorous training for the Greek games (Strong’s #1128, 62).  As a professional athlete, he must dedicate himself in mind and spirit to developing his spiritual condition. Godliness: an Inner State of the Heart His training should be in “godliness.”  This term combines…