1 Timothy 1:4

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

μηδὲ Neither G3366
μηδὲ Neither
Strong's: G3366
Word #: 1 of 16
but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor
προσέχειν give heed G4337
προσέχειν give heed
Strong's: G4337
Word #: 2 of 16
(figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e., pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to
μύθοις to fables G3454
μύθοις to fables
Strong's: G3454
Word #: 3 of 16
a tale, i.e., fiction ("myth")
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 4 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γενεαλογίαις genealogies G1076
γενεαλογίαις genealogies
Strong's: G1076
Word #: 5 of 16
tracing by generations, i.e., "genealogy"
ἀπεράντοις endless G562
ἀπεράντοις endless
Strong's: G562
Word #: 6 of 16
unfinished, i.e., (by implication) interminable
αἵτινες which G3748
αἵτινες which
Strong's: G3748
Word #: 7 of 16
which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same
ζητήσεις questions G2214
ζητήσεις questions
Strong's: G2214
Word #: 8 of 16
a searching (properly, the act), i.e., a dispute or its theme
παρέχουσιν minister G3930
παρέχουσιν minister
Strong's: G3930
Word #: 9 of 16
to hold near, i.e., present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion
μᾶλλον rather G3123
μᾶλλον rather
Strong's: G3123
Word #: 10 of 16
(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather
ἢ than G2228
ἢ than
Strong's: G2228
Word #: 11 of 16
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
οἰκονομίαν G3622
οἰκονομίαν
Strong's: G3622
Word #: 12 of 16
administration (of a household or estate); specially, a (religious) "economy"
θεοῦ godly G2316
θεοῦ godly
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 13 of 16
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τὴν which G3588
τὴν which
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 14 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐν is in G1722
ἐν is in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 15 of 16
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
πίστει faith G4102
πίστει faith
Strong's: G4102
Word #: 16 of 16
persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

Analysis & Commentary

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies (μηδὲ προσέχειν μύθοις καὶ γενεαλογίαις ἀπεράντοις, mēde prosechein mythois kai genealogiais aperantois)—'nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.' Prosechō means to pay attention to, occupy oneself with. Mythos means myth, fable, fictitious story. Genealogia means genealogy, lineage. Aperantos means interminable, endless, without limit.

Which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith (αἵτινες ἐκζητήσεις παρέχουσιν μᾶλλον ἢ οἰκονομίαν θεοῦ τὴν ἐν πίστει, haitines ekzētēseis parechousin mallon ē oikonomian theou tēn en pistei)—'which promote speculations rather than God's stewardship that is by faith.' Ekzētēsis means speculation, controversy. Oikonomia means stewardship, administration, God's plan of salvation.

The false teaching in Ephesus involved Jewish genealogies (perhaps rabbinic speculation on OT genealogies) and Gnostic myths. These elaborate systems produced endless debates rather than faith-building gospel truth. Paul contrasts speculation with God's saving plan revealed in Christ—received by faith, not intellectual gymnastics.

Historical Context

Both Jewish and Gnostic traditions valued elaborate genealogies and origin myths. Jewish teachers debated Messianic lineages; Gnostics created complex hierarchies of divine emanations. These speculations were intellectually stimulating but spiritually barren—they didn't build faith or promote godliness, just controversy. The gospel's simplicity (Christ crucified and risen) seemed too plain compared to these sophisticated systems.

Questions for Reflection