(1Ti 4:8). An ascetic mortification of the flesh and denial of personal gratification (comp. Col 2:23) to which some sects of the Jews, especially the Essenes, attached importance.
Which things (though they have indeed a shew of wisdom, in voluntary worship and humility, and not sparing the body) yet are not of any value, but are to the satisfying of the flesh.
For bodily exercise profiteth a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having the promise of the present life, and of that which is to come.