• 1 Timothy 1:4
    The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures

    • 4 μηδὲ not-but προσέχειν to be having [mind] toward μύθοις to myths καὶ and γενεαλογίαις to genealogies ἀπεράντοις, unbounded, αἵτινες which ἐκζητήσεις seekings out παρέχουσι are having alongside μᾶλλον rather ἢ than οἰκονομίαν house-administration θεοῦ of God τὴν the (one) ἐν in πίστει,— faith,—

  • 1 Timothy 1:4
    The Emphasized Bible

    • 4 Not to be teaching otherwise Nor yet to be giving heed to stories and endless genealogies,—The which bring arguings rather than that stewardship of God which is with faith;—

  • 1 Timothy Study Notes—Chapter 1
    New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

    • 1:4

      false stories: At 2Ti 4:4, Paul contrasts “false stories” with “the truth.” One lexicon defines the Greek word myʹthos, here rendered “false stories,” as “legend, fable . . . fiction, myth.” In the Christian Greek Scriptures, the word is always used in the negative sense. Paul may have had in mind fanciful legends that promoted religious lies or some sensational rumors. (Tit 1:14; 2Pe 1:16; see study note on 1Ti 4:7.) He instructs Christians not to pay attention to, or occupy themselves with, such false stories. These offered no real benefit and could turn the minds of the Christians away from the truth found in God’s Word.​—2Ti 1:13.

      genealogies: Paul may be referring to personal pedigrees, that is, the records of a family’s line of descent. He warns Christians that they should not be sidetracked into studying and discussing such matters. Some may have done so out of a sense of pride in their ancestry or to show off their knowledge. However, pursuing such a subject contributed nothing useful to Christian faith. Jewish Christians had no compelling reason to trace their personal ancestry, since God did not recognize any distinction between Jew and non-Jew in the Christian congregation. (Ga 3:28) However, it was important for Christians to be able to trace the descent of Christ through the line of David.​—Mt 1:1-17; Lu 3:23-38.

      speculations: Paul here mentions one danger that arises from paying attention to false stories and genealogies. (See study notes on false stories and genealogies in this verse.) He uses a Greek word that one lexicon defines as “useless speculation.” Another reference work describes such speculations as “questionings to which no answer can be given, which are not worth answering.” Paul contrasts them with “anything from God in connection with faith.” So Paul is not here referring to sound reasoning based on solid Scriptural support, which can strengthen faith. (Ac 19:8; 1Co 1:10) Rather, he warns against empty questions and dubious answers that are more likely to divide Christ’s followers than to unite them.