1:14

fables: The Greek word myʹthos, which can be defined as “legend, fable . . . fiction, myth,” is here used regarding Jewish stories. The Jews had a rich heritage of true stories found in the inspired Hebrew Scriptures; still, they turned “away from the truth” and invented and spread their own false stories.​—See study notes on 1Ti 1:4; 4:7.

commandments of men: Or “commands of people.” This expression echoes the words of Isa 29:13. Jesus applied Isaiah’s words to the Jewish religious leaders of his time, saying: “They teach commands of men as doctrines.” (Mt 15:9; Mr 7:7) Paul may have had in mind some of the man-made restrictions common in Judaism. False teachers promoted such rules, claiming that those rules helped people to lead a godly life. In reality, these rules were in opposition to “the teaching that is wholesome,” which would help Christians to stay “healthy in the faith.”​—Tit 1:9, 13; compare Col 2:20-22; 1Ti 4:3-5.

the truth: Paul here refers to the entire body of Christian teachings that had been revealed up to that time.​—See study note on Ga 2:5.