4:8
Why does Paul suddenly compare “physical training” with “training in godliness”? For the false teachings were not advocating that everyone become a fitness freak! Perhaps he is referring to fasting or dietary rules rather than “going to the gym”, in which case he is saying that there is value in fasting and/or watching what we eat, but there is something of far greater value. Alternatively, perhaps is referring to athletes who trained for the games, which was to win a prize in a competition, while we train to win a much greater prize. Paul does use such an analogy in 1 Cor 9:24-27. So should train ourselves in godliness, not wasting time on godless myths, and this will benefit us both now, and in the life to come.
4:9,10
Paul then introduces another “trustworthy saying”. What do those who get obsessed about myths or genealogies put their hope in? Why do they spend so much time on these things? And today, people get obsessed about all sorts of things, but the principle remains the same. What are we putting our hope in? Conversely, we have put our hope in the living God, so we become “obsessed” about Him, devoting all our physical and mental energies to Him. He is the saviour of all people. This does not mean universalism (ie everyone gets saved regardless of their response to Christ), but that anyone who does believe in Him will be saved. So everyone does well to devote themselves to God. “and especially to those who believe”. If we already do believe, then we should devote ourselves all the more to Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment