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The Concept of Beneficial Things in Scripture

The concept of "beneficial things" in Scripture encompasses various aspects of life and spiritual experience, often highlighting what is profitable for human well-being, spiritual growth, and the glory of God. The Bible frequently contrasts things of limited or temporary benefit with those that offer lasting, eternal profit [4, 6].

One primary understanding of beneficial things relates to spiritual disciplines and virtues. Godliness, for instance, is described as profitable "unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" [6]. This suggests that a life devoted to God yields benefits both in the present earthly existence and in the eternal future [4]. In contrast, bodily exercise is said to profit "little" [4, 6], indicating its limited, temporal value compared to godliness. Contentment, especially when coupled with godliness, is also considered a source of "great gain" [2]. This contentment involves being satisfied with one's calling, wages, and possessions, and is often rooted in God's promises [2]. The apostle Paul exemplified this, stating he had learned to be content in all circumstances [2].

Scripture also identifies "good works" as beneficial. These are described as "good fruits," "fruits meet for repentance," and "fruits of righteousness" [5]. Such works are performed through Christ, for the glory and praise of God, and are wrought by God within believers [5]. Heavenly wisdom is characterized as being "full of good works" [5]. The Scriptures themselves are designed to lead individuals to perform good works [5].

Even afflictions, though seemingly negative, are presented as beneficial in a spiritual sense. They can serve to promote God's glory, as seen in the healing of the man born blind (John 9:1-3) or the raising of Lazarus (John 11:3-4) [1]. Afflictions also demonstrate God's power and faithfulness, teach individuals His will, and turn people back to Him [1]. They can prevent backsliding, lead to prayer, and bring conviction of sin [1]. John Gill, commenting on Romans 8:28, notes that "all things work together for good," encompassing temporal, spiritual, and eternal benefits. He explains that even afflictions can contribute to the temporal good of God's children and foster spiritual growth [9].

The "good word of God," referring to the Scriptures or the Gospel, is another beneficial element. It is described as a revelation of good things, making known truths that are pleasant and profitable [10]. The testimonies of God, found in the Scriptures, are considered "wonderful" due to their divine origin, the truths they contain, and their utility for instruction and comfort [12].

Furthermore, the favor of God is a source of immense benefit, leading to mercy, spiritual life, and wisdom [8]. Saints are said to obtain God's favor, be encompassed by it, and be strengthened and preserved through it [8]. The promises of God are also a source of benefit, leading to contentment and providing assurance [2, 7]. The "privileges of saints" include "the possession of all things" and the assurance that "all things working together for their good" [7].

The concept of beneficial things extends to the idea of inheriting "substance" for those who love God, which includes spiritual blessings, grace, communion with God, and eternal happiness [11]. The blessing of provision for Zion, the church, through the word and ordinances, is also considered beneficial, leading to spiritual growth and nourishment for those who partake of it by faith [14]. Even the commandment to honor parents is linked to the promise of well-being and long life [13]. Nehemiah's prayer, "Remember me, O my God, in goodnes," reflects a desire for God's beneficial remembrance [3].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Contentment — With godliness is great gain -- Ps 37:16; 1Ti 6:6. Saints should exhibit In their respective callings. -- 1Co 7:20. With appointed wages. -- Lu 3:14. With what things they have. -- Heb 13:5. With food and raiment. -- 1Ti 6:8. God's promises should lead to -- Heb 13:5. The wicked want -- Isa 5:8; Ec 5:10. Exemplified Barzillai. -- 2Sa 19:33-37. Shunammite. -- 2Ki 4:13. David. -- Ps 16:6. Agur. -- Pr 30:8,9. Paul. -- Php 4:11,12.”
  3. Nehemiah “Nehemiah 13:31 (Geneva1599) — And for the offring of the wood at times appoynted, and for the first fruites. Remember me, O my God, in goodnes.”
  4. I Timothy “I Timothy 4:8 (LITV) — For bodily exercise is profitable to a little, but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the present life and of that coming.”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Works, Good — Christ, an example of -- Joh 10:32; Ac 10:38. Called Good fruits. -- Jas 3:17. Fruits meet for repentance. -- Mt 3:8. Fruits of righteousness. -- Php 1:11. Works and labours of love. -- Heb 6:10. Are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God -- Php 1:11. They alone, who abide in Christ can perform -- Joh 15:4,5. Wrought by God in us -- Isa 26:12; Php 2:13. The Scripture designed to lead us to -- 2Ti 3:16,17; Jas 1:25. To be performed in Christ's name -- Col 3:17. Heavenly wisdom is full of -- Jas 3:17. Justification unattainable by -- Ro 3:20; Ga 2”
  6. King James Version “[KJV] 1 Timothy 4:8 — 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.”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Privileges of Saints — Abiding in Christ -- Joh 15:4,5. Partaking of the divine nature -- 2Pe 1:4. Access to God by Christ -- Eph 3:12. Being of the household of God -- Eph 2:19. Membership with the Church of the first-born -- Heb 12:23. Having Christ for their Shepherd. -- Isa 40:11; Joh 10:14,16. Christ for their intercessor. -- Ro 8:34; Heb 7:25; 1Jo 2:1. The promises of God. -- 2Co 7:1; 2Pe 1:4. The possession of all things -- 1Co 3:21,22. All things working together for their good -- Ro 8:28; 2Co 4:15-17. Their names written in the book life -- Re 13:8; 20:15. H”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Favour of God, The — Christ the special object of -- Lu 2:52. Is the source of Mercy. -- Isa 60:10. Spiritual life. -- Ps 30:5. Spiritual wisdom leads to -- Pr 8:35. Mercy and truth lead to -- Pr 3:3,4. Saints Obtain. -- Pr 12:2. Encompassed by. -- Ps 5:12. Strengthened by. -- Ps 30:7. Victorious through. -- Ps 44:3. Preserved through. -- Job 10:12. Exalted in. -- Ps 89:17. Sometimes tempted to doubt. -- Ps 77:7. Domestic blessings traced to -- Pr 18:22. Disappointment of enemies an assured evidence of -- Ps 41:11. Given in answer to prayer -- Job 33:26. Pray for -- ”
  9. Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good,.... There is a temporal good, and a spiritual good, and an eternal one. Temporal good is what the men of the world are seeking after, and generally have the greatest share of, and the saints the least; and yet they have as much as is needful for them, and what they have, they have with a blessing; and even sometimes afflictions work for the temporal good of God's children: spiritual good lies in a lively exercise of grace and a conformity of the soul to God; and is what the men of the world least regard, and the sain”
  10. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:4: And have tasted the good word of God,.... Not the Lord Jesus Christ, the essential Word of God, who seems to be intended before by the heavenly gift; but rather, either the Scriptures of truth in general, which are the word of God, endited by him, and contain his mind and will; which he makes use of for conviction, conversion, instruction, and comfort; and which are preserved by him: and these are a good word; they come from him who is good; they are a revelation of good things; they make known things true, pleasant, and profitable: or else the Gospel in particular, o”
  11. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 8:21: That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance,.... Substantial blessings, blessings indeed, as all spiritual ones are; and substantial grace, as every grace is; and substantial communion with God and Christ, which is a real thing, and had in the way of righteousness; also substantial happiness hereafter, as eternal life is; which being expressed by "substance", or "that which is" (g), as the word used signifies, denotes the reality of it; it being not only actually promised, prepared, and laid up for the saints, but is what is known by them now, and of wh”
  12. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:125: PE.--The Seventeenth Part. PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful,.... The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous t”
  13. Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 6:3: That it may be well with thee,.... In this world, and that which is to come; see Deu 5:16. The Jews (z) say, "there are four things, which if a man does, he eats the fruit of them in this world, and the capital part remains for him in the world to come; and they are these, "honouring father and mother", doing acts of beneficence, making peace between a man and his neighbour, and learning of the law, which answers to them all.'' And thou mayest live long on the earth: length of days is in itself a blessing; and though men's days cannot be lengthened beyond God's ”
  14. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 132:13: I will abundantly bless her provision,.... The provision of Zion, the church of God, the word and ordinances, of which Christ is the sum and substance; the Gospel is milk for babes, and meat for strong men; the ordinances are a feast of fat things; Christ's flesh is meat indeed, and his blood drink deed; the whole provision is spiritual, savoury, salutary, strengthening, satisfying, and nourishing, when the Lord blesses it; as he does to those who hunger and thirst after it, and feed upon it by faith; so that their souls grow thereby, and they become fat and flouris”
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