Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Timothy 4:8

8 For bodily exercise profiteth little , but godliness is profitable unto all things , having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come .

Bodily Discipline, lying in abstaining from certain meats, keeping set fasts, watchings, lying upon the ground, going bare-foot, wearing sack-cloth, or hair-cloth, abstaining from Wine, or Marriage, is of little advantage, the mind and soul of man is not bettered by them, the Apostle doth not altogether despise these things; some of which may be useful (moderately used) to make us more fit for Prayer, especially upon solemn occasions, but these are not things wherein Religion is to be put, and alone they are of no avail.

But Godliness which lyeth in the true Worship and Service of God out of a true principle of the fear of God and faith in him; or (more generally) holiness of Life in obedience to Gods Commandments is of universal advantage,

not from any meritoriousness in it, but from the Free Grace of God which hath annexed to it not only the promises of health, peace, and prosperity, and all good things while we live here upon the Earth,

But also the promises of Salvation and Eternal happiness when this Life shall be determined.

Marginal references: Col. 2.23.; Or, for a little time.