Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
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 —
- BSB or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.
- 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 1:14Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
- 1 Tim 4:7But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
- Titus 3:9But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
- 2 Tim 4:4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
- 2 Pet 1:16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
- 1 Tim 6:3–5If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
- 1 Tim 6:20O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
- 2 Tim 2:14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
- Heb 13:9Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
- 1 Tim 6:11But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
- 2 Tim 2:22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- 2 Tim 2:16–18But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
- 1 Tim 3:16And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
- Eph 4:12–16For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
- Titus 1:1Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
- 2 Cor 1:12For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
- 2 Cor 7:9–10Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
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Original language
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