The Meaning of 1 Timothy 1:4 Explained

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.

YLT: nor to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, that cause questions rather than the building up of God that is in faith: --

Darby: nor to turn their minds to fables and interminable genealogies, which bring questionings rather than further God's dispensation, which is in faith.

ASV: neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is in faith;'so do I now .

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does 1 Timothy 1:4 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Timothy 1:1-11 - A Charge Against "vain Talking"
The relation of Paul to Timothy is an example of one of those beautiful friendships between an older and a younger man, in which each is the complement of the other, 1 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 2:22. Timothy was a lad of fifteen when converted at Lystra, and was probably about thirty-five years of age when this Epistle was addressed to him. He was enthusiastic and devoted but at times showed signs of timidity, and the Apostle watched over him with tender interest.
In this chapter the young minister is warned against the Gnostic heresy, i.e., the heresy of the knowing-ones, who pretended to give revelations about the angels and their ministry, and to bridge the gulf between man and God by a whole series of mysterious imaginary beings. Their teaching led from spiritual pride to sensuality, for they accounted the body as inherently evil. All this was contrary to healthy doctrine. That word sound, or healthy, is peculiar to the Pastoral Epistles, 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9; Titus 2:1. It suggests a certain test of the various teachers who cross our paths. The question always is, Do these words of theirs promote the health of the soul, and above all, love out of a pure heart and a good conscience? [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Timothy 1

1  Paul declares Timothy is faithful to the charge which was given him at his going to Macedonia
5  The right use and end of the law
11  Paul's calling to be an apostle;
20  and the disobedience or Hymenaeus and Alexander

Greek Commentary for 1 Timothy 1:4

To give heed [προσεχειν]
With νουν — noun understood. Old and common idiom in N.T. especially in Luke and Acts (Acts 8:10.). Not in Paul‘s earlier Epistles. 1 Timothy 3:8; 1 Timothy 4:1, 1 Timothy 4:13; Titus 1:14. [source]
To fables [μυτοις]
Dative case of old word for speech, narrative, story, fiction, falsehood. In N.T. only 2 Peter 1:16; 1 Timothy 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:7; Titus 1:14; 2 Timothy 4:4. Genealogies (γενεαλογιαις — genealogiais). Dative of old word, in lxx, in N.T. only here and Titus 3:9. Endless Old verbal compound (from α — a privative and περαινω — perainō to go through), in lxx, only here in N.T. Excellent examples there for old words used only in the Pastorals because of the subject matter, describing the Gnostic emphasis on aeons. Questionings (εκζητησεις — ekzētēseis). “Seekings out.” Late and rare compound from εκζητεω — ekzēteō (itself Koiné{[28928]}š word, Romans 3:11 from lxx and in papyri). Here only in N.T. Simplex ζητησις — zētēsis in Acts 15:2; 1 Timothy 6:4; Titus 3:9; 2 Timothy 2:23. A dispensation Pauline word (1 Corinthians 9:17; Colossians 1:25; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:9; 1 Timothy 1:4), Luke 16:2-4 only other N.T. examples. In faith (εν πιστει — en pistei). Pauline use of πιστις — pistis f0). [source]
Genealogies [γενεαλογιαις]
Dative of old word, in lxx, in N.T. only here and Titus 3:9. [source]
Endless [απεραντοις]
Old verbal compound (from α — a privative and περαινω — perainō to go through), in lxx, only here in N.T. Excellent examples there for old words used only in the Pastorals because of the subject matter, describing the Gnostic emphasis on aeons. Questionings (εκζητησεις — ekzētēseis). “Seekings out.” Late and rare compound from εκζητεω — ekzēteō (itself Koiné{[28928]}š word, Romans 3:11 from lxx and in papyri). Here only in N.T. Simplex ζητησις — zētēsis in Acts 15:2; 1 Timothy 6:4; Titus 3:9; 2 Timothy 2:23. A dispensation Pauline word (1 Corinthians 9:17; Colossians 1:25; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:9; 1 Timothy 1:4), Luke 16:2-4 only other N.T. examples. In faith (εν πιστει — en pistei). Pauline use of πιστις — pistis f0). [source]
Questionings [εκζητησεις]
“Seekings out.” Late and rare compound from εκζητεω — ekzēteō (itself Koiné{[28928]}š word, Romans 3:11 from lxx and in papyri). Here only in N.T. Simplex ζητησις — zētēsis in Acts 15:2; 1 Timothy 6:4; Titus 3:9; 2 Timothy 2:23. [source]
A dispensation [οικονομιαν]
Pauline word (1 Corinthians 9:17; Colossians 1:25; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:9; 1 Timothy 1:4), Luke 16:2-4 only other N.T. examples. In faith (εν πιστει — en pistei). Pauline use of πιστις — pistis f0). [source]
In faith [εν πιστει]
Pauline use of πιστις — pistis f0). [source]
Give heed [προσέχειν]
oP. Frequent in lxx and Class. Lit. To hold to. Often with τὸν νοῦν themind, which must be supplied here. It means here not merely to give attention to, but to give assent to. So Acts 8:6; Acts 16:14; Hebrews 2:1; 2 Peter 1:19. [source]
Fables [μύθοις]
Μῦθος , in its widest sense, means word, speech, conversation or its subject. Hence the talk of men, rumour, report, a saying, a story, true or false; later, a fiction as distinguished from λόγος ahistoric tale. In Attic prose, commonly a legend of prehistoric Greek times. Thus Plato, Repub. 330 D, οἱ λεγόμενοι μῦθοι περὶ τῶν ἐν Ἅΐδου whatare called myths concerning those in Hades. Only once in lxx, 2Peter href="/desk/?q=2pe+1:16&sr=1">2 Peter 1:16. As to its exact reference here, it is impossible to speak with certainty. Expositors are hopelessly disagreed, some referring it to Jewish, others to Gnostic fancies. It is explained as meaning traditional supplements to the law, allegorical interpretations, Jewish stories of miracles, Rabbinical fabrications, whether in history or doctrine, false doctrines generally, etc. It is to be observed that μῦθοι are called Jewish in Titus 1:14. In 1 Timothy 4:7, they are described as profane and characteristic of old wives. In 2 Timothy 4:4, the word is used absolutely, as here. [source]
Endless genealogies [γενεαλογίαις ἀπεράντοις]
Both words PastoFor γενεαλογία (olxx) comp. Titus 3:9. Γενεαλογεῖσθαι totrace ancestry, only Hebrews 7:6; comp. 1 Chronicles 5:1, the only instance in lxx. Ἁπέραντος endlessN.T.oTwice in lxx. By some the genealogies are referred to the Gnostic aeons or series of emanations from the divine unity; by others to the O.T. Genealogies as interpreted allegorically by Philo, and made the basis of a psychological system, or O.T. Genealogies adorned with fables: by others again to genealogical registers proper, used to foster the religious and national pride of the Jews against Gentiles, or to ascertain the descent of the Messiah. Ἁπέραντος from ἀ notand πέρας limitor terminus. Πέρας may be taken in the sense of object or aim, so that the adjective here may mean without object, useless. (So Chrysostom, Holtzmann, and von Soden.) Others take it in a popular sense, as describing the tedious length of the genealogies (Alford); and others that these matters furnish an inexhaustible subject of study (Weiss). “Fables and endless genealogies” form a single conception, the καὶ and being explanatory, that is to say, and the “endless genealogies” indicating in what the peculiarity of the fables consists. [source]
Which [αἵτινες]
Rather the which: inasmuch as they. [source]
Minister [παρέχουσιν]
Afford, furnish, give occasion for. Only twice in Paul. Elsewhere mainly in Luke and Acts. [source]
Questions [ἐκζητήσεις]
Better, questionings. N.T.oolxx. oClass. The simple ζητήσεις in Pastorals, John and Acts. The preposition ἐκ gives the sense of subtle, laborious investigation: inquiring out. [source]
Godly edifying []
According to the reading οἰκοδομίαν edificationSo Vulg. aedificationem. But the correct reading is οἰκονομίαν orderingor dispensation: the scheme or order of salvation devised and administered by God: God's household economy. Ὁικονομία is a Pauline word. With the exception of this instance, only in Paul and Luke. See Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 3:2, Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:25. [source]
Which is in faith [τὴν ἐν πίστει]
See on 1 Timothy 1:2. Faith is the sphere or clement of its operation. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 1:4

Acts 20:28 Take heed unto yourselves [προσεχετε εαυτοις]
The full phrase had τον νουν — ton noun hold your mind on yourselves (or other object in the dative), as often in old writers and in Job 7:17. But the ancients often used the idiom with νουν — noun understood, but not expressed as here and Acts 5:35; Luke 12:1; Luke 17:3; Luke 21:34; 1 Timothy 1:4; 1 Timothy 3:8; 1 Timothy 4:13. Επεχε — Epeche is so used in 1 Timothy 4:16. [source]
1 Timothy 6:4 Questions [ζητήσεις]
oP. olxx. Quite often in Class. Lit. processes of inquiry; hence, debates. Comp. 1 Timothy 1:4. [source]
1 Timothy 4:7 N.T.oolxx. From γραῦς an old woman , and εἶδος form Fables [μύθους]
See on 1 Timothy 1:4, and comp. 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:14; 2 Peter 1:16. [source]
1 Timothy 4:7 Old wives' [γραωδεις]
N.T.oolxx. From γραῦς anold woman, and εἶδος formFables ( μύθους )See on 1 Timothy 1:4, and comp. 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:14; 2 Peter 1:16. [source]
1 Timothy 3:8 Given to much wine [οἴνῳ πολλῷ προσέχοντας]
See on 1 Timothy 1:4. Total abstinence is not enjoined, even on a deacon. Comp. 1 Timothy 5:23. [source]
1 Timothy 1:3 As I exhorted [κατως παρεκαλεσα]
There is an ellipse of the principal clause in 1 Timothy 1:4 (so do I now not being in the Greek). [source]
1 Timothy 1:4 To fables [μυτοις]
Dative case of old word for speech, narrative, story, fiction, falsehood. In N.T. only 2 Peter 1:16; 1 Timothy 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:7; Titus 1:14; 2 Timothy 4:4. Genealogies (γενεαλογιαις — genealogiais). Dative of old word, in lxx, in N.T. only here and Titus 3:9. Endless Old verbal compound (from α — a privative and περαινω — perainō to go through), in lxx, only here in N.T. Excellent examples there for old words used only in the Pastorals because of the subject matter, describing the Gnostic emphasis on aeons. Questionings (εκζητησεις — ekzētēseis). “Seekings out.” Late and rare compound from εκζητεω — ekzēteō (itself Koiné{[28928]}š word, Romans 3:11 from lxx and in papyri). Here only in N.T. Simplex ζητησις — zētēsis in Acts 15:2; 1 Timothy 6:4; Titus 3:9; 2 Timothy 2:23. A dispensation Pauline word (1 Corinthians 9:17; Colossians 1:25; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:9; 1 Timothy 1:4), Luke 16:2-4 only other N.T. examples. In faith (εν πιστει — en pistei). Pauline use of πιστις — pistis f0). [source]
1 Timothy 1:4 Endless [απεραντοις]
Old verbal compound (from α — a privative and περαινω — perainō to go through), in lxx, only here in N.T. Excellent examples there for old words used only in the Pastorals because of the subject matter, describing the Gnostic emphasis on aeons. Questionings (εκζητησεις — ekzētēseis). “Seekings out.” Late and rare compound from εκζητεω — ekzēteō (itself Koiné{[28928]}š word, Romans 3:11 from lxx and in papyri). Here only in N.T. Simplex ζητησις — zētēsis in Acts 15:2; 1 Timothy 6:4; Titus 3:9; 2 Timothy 2:23. A dispensation Pauline word (1 Corinthians 9:17; Colossians 1:25; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:9; 1 Timothy 1:4), Luke 16:2-4 only other N.T. examples. In faith (εν πιστει — en pistei). Pauline use of πιστις — pistis f0). [source]
1 Timothy 1:4 A dispensation [οικονομιαν]
Pauline word (1 Corinthians 9:17; Colossians 1:25; Ephesians 1:9; Ephesians 3:9; 1 Timothy 1:4), Luke 16:2-4 only other N.T. examples. In faith (εν πιστει — en pistei). Pauline use of πιστις — pistis f0). [source]
2 Timothy 4:4 Shall be turned unto fables [ἐπὶ τοὺς μύθους ἐκτραπήσονται]
More correctly, will turn aside. The passive has a middle sense. For fables see on 1 Timothy 1:4. [source]
Titus 2:7 Shewing thyself [σεαυτον παρεχομενος]
Present middle (redundant middle) participle of παρεχω — parechō with the reflexive pronoun σεαυτον — seauton as if the active voice παρεχων — parechōn The Koiné{[28928]}š shows an increasing number of such constructions (Robertson, Grammar, p. 811). See active in 1 Timothy 1:4. [source]
Titus 1:7 As God‘s steward [ως τεου οικονομον]
See note on 1 Corinthians 4:1. for Paul‘s idea of the bishop (elder) as God‘s steward (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:17; Colossians 1:25; Ephesians 3:2; 1 Timothy 1:4). Not self-willed (μη αυταδη — mē authadē). Old word (from αυτοσ ηδομαι — autosοργιλον — hēdomai), self-pleasing, arrogant. In N.T. only here and 2 Peter 2:10. Not soon angry Old adjective from αισχροκερδη — orgē (anger). Here only in N.T. Vulgate, iracundum. For “brawler” and “striker” see note on 1 Timothy 3:2. Not greedy of filthy lucre (απιλαργυρον — aischrokerdē). “Not greedy of shameful gain.” Used of deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8, aphilarguron used of elders in 1 Timothy 3:3. [source]
Titus 1:14 Not giving heed [μὴ προσέχοντες]
Reprove sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, and may show their soundness by not giving heed, etc. See on 1 Timothy 1:4. [source]
Titus 1:14 To Jewish fables [Ἱουδαΐκοῖς μύθοις]
See on 1 Timothy 1:4. Note Jewish. The nature of these we do not know. [source]
Titus 2:7 Shewing thyself [σεαυτὸν παρεχόμενος]
See on 1 Timothy 1:4. The phrase N.T.obut occurs in Class., as, to show one's self holy or righteous; wise or skillful; παρέχειν tomake himself scarce. [source]
Titus 3:9 Foolish questions, etc. []
See on 2 Timothy 2:23. For genealogies see on 1 Timothy 1:4. [source]
Hebrews 2:1 To give the more earnest heed [περισσοτέρως προσέξειν]
Lit. to give heed more abundantly. Προσέχειν togive heed, lit. to hold (the mind ) to. oP. The full phrase in Job 7:17. Mostly in Luke, Acts, and the Pastorals. See on 1 Timothy 1:4. Περισσοτέρως moreabundantly, in Hebrews only here and Hebrews 13:19; elsewhere only in Paul. [source]
Hebrews 12:17 Sought it carefully [ἐκζητήσας]
See on 1 Peter 1:10. Comp. Hebrews 11:6. See also on questionings, 1 Timothy 1:4. [source]
2 Peter 1:16 Cunningly devised fables [σεσοπισμενοις μυτοις]
Associative instrumental case of μυτος — muthos (old term for word, narrative, story, fiction, fable, falsehood). In N.T. only here and the Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy 1:4, etc.). Perfect passive participle of σοπιζω — sophizō old word (from σοπος — sophos), only twice in N.T., in causative sense to make wise (2 Timothy 3:15), to play the sophist, to invent cleverly (here) and so also in the old writers and in the papyri. Some of the false teachers apparently taught that the Gospel miracles were only allegories and not facts (Bigg). Cf. 2 Peter 2:3 for “feigned words.”When we made known unto you (εγνωρισαμεν υμιν — egnōrisamen humin). First aorist active indicative of γνωριζω — gnōrizō to make known unto you. Possibly by Peter himself.The power and coming These words can refer (Chase) to the Incarnation, just as is true of επιπανεια — epiphaneia in 2 Timothy 1:10 (second coming in 1 Timothy 6:14), and is true of παρουσια — parousia (2 Corinthians 7:6 of Titus). But elsewhere in the N.T. παρουσια — parousia (technical term in the papyri for the coming of a king or other high dignitary), when used of Christ, refers to his second coming (2 Peter 3:4, 2 Peter 3:12).But we were eye-witnesses (αλλ εποπται γενητεντες — all' epoptai genēthentes). First aorist passive participle of γινομαι — ginomai “but having become eye-witnesses.” Εποπται — Epoptai old word (from εποπτω — epoptō like εποπτευω — epopteuō in 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 3:2), used of those who attained the third or highest degree of initiates in the Eleusinian mysteries (common in the inscriptions). Cf. αυτοπτης — autoptēs in Luke 1:2.Of his majesty Late and rare word (lxx and papyri) from μεγαλειος — megaleios (Acts 2:11), in N.T. only here, Luke 9:43 (of God); Acts 19:27 (of Artemis). Peter clearly felt that he and James and John were lifted to the highest stage of initiation at the Transfiguration of Christ. Emphatic εκεινου — ekeinou as in 2 Timothy 2:26. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Timothy 1:4 mean?

nor to give heed to myths and genealogies endless which speculations bring rather than stewardship of God which [is] in faith
μηδὲ προσέχειν μύθοις καὶ γενεαλογίαις ἀπεράντοις αἵτινες ἐκζητήσεις παρέχουσιν μᾶλλον οἰκονομίαν Θεοῦ τὴν ἐν πίστει

μηδὲ  nor 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: μηδέ  
Sense: and not, but not, nor, not.
προσέχειν  to  give  heed 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Active
Root: προσέχω  
Sense: to bring to, bring near.
μύθοις  to  myths 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: μῦθος  
Sense: a speech, word, saying.
γενεαλογίαις  genealogies 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: γενεαλογία  
Sense: a genealogy, a record of descent or lineage.
ἀπεράντοις  endless 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: ἀπέραντος  
Sense: that can not be passed through, boundless, endless.
ἐκζητήσεις  speculations 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Plural
Root: ἐκζήτησις 
Sense: a seeking.
παρέχουσιν  bring 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: παρέχω  
Sense: to reach forth, offer.
μᾶλλον  rather 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μᾶλλον  
Sense: more, to a greater degree, rather.
  than 
Parse: Conjunction
Root:  
Sense: either, or, than.
οἰκονομίαν  stewardship 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: οἰκονομία  
Sense: the management of a household or of household affairs.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
τὴν  which  [is] 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πίστει  faith 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: πίστις  
Sense: conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it.