1 Timothy 1 4

1 Timothy 1:4 kjv

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

1 Timothy 1:4 nkjv

nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.

1 Timothy 1:4 niv

or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God's work?which is by faith.

1 Timothy 1:4 esv

nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.

1 Timothy 1:4 nlt

Don't let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don't help people live a life of faith in God.

1 Timothy 1 verses

1 Timothy 1 4 Meaning

This verse instructs believers to avoid engaging with unedifying narratives and never-ending ancestral lists that lead to unproductive discussions rather than furthering God’s redemptive plan, which operates by faith. It highlights a critical distinction between speculative intellectual pursuits and the practical, divinely appointed administration of the gospel built on trust in God. The warning is against teachings that distract from the core truth and purpose of God’s redemptive work.

1 Timothy 1 4 Context

1 Timothy 1:4 stands within Paul's primary instruction to Timothy to safeguard the purity of the Christian faith in the church at Ephesus. The immediate context, 1 Tim 1:3, explicitly states Timothy's mission: to command certain individuals to cease teaching "different doctrine" (ἑτεροδιδασκαλεῖν, heteros-didaskalein), which diverts from the gospel. Verse 4 then elaborates on what this "different doctrine" entails: "myths" and "endless genealogies." This highlights the practical implications and divisive nature of such teaching, directly contrasting it with "the stewardship from God that is by faith." The ensuing verse (1 Tim 1:5) further defines the true goal of sound doctrine as leading to "love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith," sharply distinguishing it from "aimless talk" (1 Tim 1:6) arising from those false teachings. Historically and culturally, Ephesus was a cosmopolitan city susceptible to various philosophical and religious influences, including proto-Gnostic ideas and a misinterpretation of Jewish traditions that emphasized detailed lineage or speculative spiritual narratives beyond biblical revelation. Paul's admonition acts as a polemic against intellectual elitism or fascination with humanly devised systems that obscure God’s revealed truth, shifting focus from spiritual transformation to vain curiosity.

1 Timothy 1 4 Word analysis

• nor (μηδὲ, mēde): A conjunctive negative, directly connecting this prohibition to the previous command in 1 Tim 1:3. It emphasizes that a primary aspect of teaching "no other doctrine" involves abstaining from these specific activities.
• to devote themselves to (προσέχειν, prosechein): "To give heed to," "pay attention to," or "be engaged in." Implies giving mental and spiritual energy to something. Paul's concern is the active engagement with or teaching of these detrimental elements.
• myths (μύθοις, mythois): Refers to fabricated stories, fables, or untrue narratives. These are not necessarily outright lies, but narratives that are idle, purely speculative, or lack divine authority and truth. In early Christianity, this could have included pre-Gnostic theological speculations or imaginative Jewish fables (aggadah) distorted into essential doctrine, lacking spiritual substance or practical value. They contrast sharply with historical Christian truth.
• and (καὶ, kai): Joins two related categories of problematic teaching.
• endless (ἀπεράντοις, aperantois): Meaning "without end," "interminable." This highlights the futile, unproductive, and unresolving nature of these genealogies. They lead nowhere and serve no spiritual purpose.
• genealogies (γενεαλογίαις, genealogiais): Lists of ancestors or lineages. In Jewish tradition, genealogies were important (e.g., demonstrating messianic lineage). However, "endless" genealogies imply a preoccupation that goes beyond historical or prophetic significance into speculative, unproveable, or theologically distorting realms, perhaps attempting to prove spiritual status or explain cosmic emanations (as in proto-Gnosticism).
• which (αἵτινες, haitines): A relative pronoun connecting these problematic teachings to their harmful effect.
• promote (παρέχουσιν, parechousin): "To produce," "furnish," "cause to arise." These teachings naturally and inevitably lead to the described outcome.
• speculations (ζητήσεις, zētēseis): "Questions," "inquiries," "controversies," "disputations." These are debates or discussions that are barren, divisive, and lacking any ultimate spiritual benefit or clear resolution. They consume energy without edifying or unifying the church.
• rather than (μᾶλλον ἢ, mallon ē): Establishes a sharp contrast. The teachings in question produce disputes instead of the truly valuable divine reality.
• the stewardship (οἰκονομίαν, oikonomian): "Household management," "administration," "dispensation," or "plan." A profound term referring to God's wise management of His redemptive plan and purposes. It encompasses His arrangement of salvation, the entrustment of the gospel, and the believers' role as faithful managers of His truth and grace within His "household" (the church). It is practical and active, contrasting with theoretical speculation.
• from God (θεοῦ, theou): Specifies the divine origin of this stewardship. It is God's own plan, not a human invention.
• that is by faith (τὴν ἐν πίστει, tēn en pistei): Clarifies the nature and means of God's stewardship. It is revealed, received, and enacted through faith—trust in God and His Word—rather than through human reason, complex rituals, or esoteric knowledge. Faith is the essential component for proper participation in God’s work.

• "Myths and endless genealogies": This grouping represents idle and unproductive knowledge. The combination indicates two aspects of futile teaching: fabricated narratives and excessive, unproveable ancestral lists. Both lead to diversion from the simplicity and power of the gospel.
• "Promote speculations": This phrase describes the negative consequence of the "myths and endless genealogies." These activities do not build up but tear down through useless arguments and divisive debates.
• "The stewardship from God that is by faith": This powerful contrasting phrase denotes God's divinely orchestrated plan for humanity's salvation and its implementation through believers, based entirely on their trust in Him. It highlights purpose, action, and divine origin, directly opposing the barrenness and human invention of the false teachings.

1 Timothy 1 4 Bonus section

• This verse directly correlates with 1 Tim 1:5, revealing that the true goal of sound teaching is "love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." The "myths and endless genealogies" precisely counteract this goal, producing superficial knowledge and empty debates instead.
• The warning here is against diversion from the central mission of the church: the faithful proclamation and living out of the gospel, which is God's ultimate "stewardship." Anything that detracts from this — be it theological speculation or spiritual pride based on unrevealed knowledge — is harmful.
• The emphasis on "faith" as the means by which God's stewardship operates is crucial. It positions genuine Christianity as dependent on trust and reliance on God's revelation, not human intellectual prowess or speculative inquiries.

1 Timothy 1 4 Commentary

In 1 Timothy 1:4, Paul underscores a foundational principle for sound Christian doctrine: the distinction between fruitful engagement with God’s truth and distracting, barren pursuits. The "myths" and "endless genealogies" represent a category of teaching that, regardless of its specific content, shares common flaws: it is not from God, it leads to divisive arguments ("speculations"), and it detracts from the true mission of God's church. Paul's concern is less with identifying the exact nature of these historical heresies and more with their effect: they hinder the church's focus on the essential "stewardship from God that is by faith." This stewardship signifies God’s eternal plan of salvation entrusted to His people, a plan rooted in divine grace and received through simple faith, not complex human intellectual exercises. The verse serves as a timeless warning against any teaching or pursuit that prioritizes intellectual curiosity or intricate systems over the direct, transformative power of the Gospel and the practical, faith-driven living of believers. It urges a discerning focus on that which genuinely builds up God’s people in love, purity, and sincerity, rather than drawing them into unproductive arguments or spiritually barren knowledge.