or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.
Parallel translations
- WEB and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than God’s stewardship, which is in faith —
- KJV Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
- NKJV nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.
- NASB nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to useless speculation rather than advance the plan of God, which is by faith, so I urge you now.
- NLT Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The false teachers were absorbed in myths and genealogies that bred arguments instead of advancing God's saving plan received by faith. It warns that speculative novelty distracts from the gospel.
Overview
Paul contrasts the empty disputes stirred by myths and endless genealogies with 'God's stewardship, which is in faith.' Such teaching produced controversy, not godliness or growth in grace. Healthy doctrine builds up the household of God and is received through faith in Christ, not endless speculation.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Titus 1:14and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth.
- 1 Tim 4:7But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness.
- Titus 3:9But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, arguments, and quarrels about the law, because these things are pointless and worthless.
- 2 Tim 4:4So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
- 2 Pet 1:16For 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 Tim 6:3–5If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching,
- 1 Tim 6:20O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,”
- 2 Tim 2:14Remind the believers of these things, charging them before God to avoid quarreling over words, which succeeds only in leading the listeners to ruin.
- Heb 13:9Do 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 Tim 6:11But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
- 2 Tim 2:22Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- 2 Tim 2:16–18But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,
- 1 Tim 3:16By common confession, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was proclaimed among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, was taken up in glory.
- Eph 4:12–16to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,
- Titus 1:1Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,
- 2 Cor 1:12And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God.
- 2 Cor 7:9–10And now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us.
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There is 'one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all' — the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh.
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Original language
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