---

Not only is this the testimony of a great man, but the testimony of a good man, the testimony of a Christian man; a man, therefore, who had experience as to the utility of that concerning which he makes affirmation. He did not speak on the report of others, but he had brought the matter to the test of personal experiment; and from what he had realized in himself he could say, "Godliness is profitable unto all things."

I. WHAT IS GODLINESS? It is real, vital, experimental, practical religion — genuine Christianity — a religion concerning God, the great, the wise, the blessed God.

1. Godliness comprehends a genuine fear. For where there is no fear of God there is no genuine piety — there is no religion.

2. Godliness means the saving knowledge of God, "whom to know is life eternal."

3. And then, where there is knowledge of God, saving knowledge, there must be love to God; and no man can love an unknown object.

4. Then just in proportion as we love God (and this is essential to godliness) we shall be concerned to entertain intercourse with God.

5. Then perceive that this will lead to conformity to God — likeness to God. Such, indeed, is the very nature, such the constitution of the human mind, that it contracts a resemblance to those objects with which from inclination it is the most conversant. Apply the remark where you will, it will hold. Look at the man of this world; where are his thoughts? Why, the world is his object, and he becomes more and more worldly: and so of every other class. Now look at the man of God: his thoughts rise to God, his affections are spiritually placed on God: there is his object, there is his all; and, beholding the glory of God in the face of Jesus, he catches the impress of it.

6. Let me say, too, that all Scriptural piety is practical. All that godliness which is genuine must lead to holiness of life and conversation.

II. WHAT, THEN, ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF GODLINESS? "Godliness is profitable." As though the apostle had said, "It is not merely a very harmless and innocent thing, and therefore no person should be afraid of it." This would have been very low praise, if it had been praise at all. It is not merely said "that it is profitable for some things"; nor is it affirmed concerning it that it is profitable for many things; but the affirmation is without qualification, "Godliness is profitable for all things." "The life that now is." You cannot hear this without at once in your minds adverting to the beneficial influence of godliness on a man's external circumstances. Then consistent godliness gives a man character. Besides, godliness saves a man from intemperance: and what a vast benefit is this! When a man becomes truly godly, he becomes industrious. You never saw an idle Christian. And then the Lord will bless the man that fears Him. Besides, godliness is beneficial considered in its influence in preserving and prolonging the life that now is. Then is it not true that ungodliness tends to impair and destroy life? Godliness is profitable in its beneficial influence on all the relations of life — on all the grades in society. Let me just add here that godliness is profitable at all the periods of life. It is profitable in the morning of life. Oh! how it brightens the morning: and is not morning the best part of the day? And if it be bright in the morning, oh! may it not bless the noon? Then if it brighten the morn and bless the noon, how will it cheer the evening of life! Learn the inconsistency and folly of those who, while they admit the profit of godliness, make no effort to avail themselves of its advantages. Let me recommend this religion to you on the principle of self-interest.

(R. Newton.)

---

---

KJV: 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.

WEB: For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come.