Bible Strands
1 Timothy 1:4
or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy, who remains in Ephesus after Paul's departure to Macedonia, charged with correcting teachers of false doctrines.
The words — μύθοις (muthois) is the same word for "myths" in 1 Tim 4:7 and Titus 1:14, not a neutral "stories" but a category Paul rejects. ἀπεράντοις (aperantois) means "without end," a modifier that turns genealogies into a closed loop with no exit.
The thread — Titus 3:9 pairs "foolish controversies" with "genealogies" as pointless; 1 Tim 4:7 commands rejection of "irreverent, silly myths" in favor of training for godliness.
Why it lands — The verse draws a line between questions that can be worked and questions that only consume; it asks the reader to recognize when their effort is spinning in place rather than building.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
Cross-references
- 1 Timothy 4:7 But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.
- Titus 1:14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.
- Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
- 2 Timothy 4:4 So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
- 2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
- 1 Timothy 6:3 If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,
- 1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”
- 2 Timothy 2:14 Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
- Hebrews 13:9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.
- 1 Timothy 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.