Fables and Endless Genealogies 1 Timothy 1:4

As Paul the apostle shared with Timothy his “son in the faith”, he reminded him of his commission to oversee the church in Ephesus where he “might charge some that they teach no other doctrine”. False teachers crept into the church located in Ephesus, and Timothy was to make a stand against them. In chapter one and verse four of his letter to Timothy, Paul gives specific ways these heretical teachers are attempting to deviate from the gospel of Jesus Christ where we read:

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions,

rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

The verse begins, “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions,” Paul began with this directive, “Neither give heed to” which means “not to bring near or attend” “to fables” which were “stories, narratives, fiction and inventions of falsehood”. These “fables” were ones like Paul referred to in his letter to the Colossians in chapter two and verses eighteen through twenty three and were concerning “legends about the origin and propagation of angels”. Paul goes on to add, “and endless genealogies” which were “that which can not be passed through and boundless records of descent or lineage”. The idea was to show the relationship between a person and the “patriarchs” of the Jews which would show a level of importance or ranking for the individual examined. Paul said these “fables and endless genealogies” are those “which minister questions” or “to reach forth, offer show, afford and supply seeking, inquiry, debate and matters of controversy”.

The verse goes on to say, “rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” The problem with these “fables and endless genealogies” is they stirred up strife “rather” or “more, to a greater degree, sooner, more willingly and more readily” “than godly edifying” which is “whatever can in any respect be likened unto God or resemble him in any way that builds a person up” “which is in faith” or “conviction of the truth of anything and belief.” The words “so do” are in italics which means they were added by the translators, however the implication to carry out this directive is easily inferred. Paul knew as long as people were conversing back and forth concerning “fictional stories” and “records of descent or lineage” they would be decimating one another rather than edifying in the faith.

As we think through these words of Paul to Timothy, we can sense “pride” as the prevalent characteristic within the people who promoted these stories and genealogies. Those who were “in the know” such as the false teaching Gnostics of that day would pay attention to their vast understanding of these “fables”, and those who could trace heritage and lineage would demonstrate how a person was either valuable or invaluable based upon their genealogy. This behavior only generated “questions” rather than edification which is essential in the church. While we ponder these ideas, let us examine our own lives and consider whether we are ones who “edify” others or “tear them down”. Do we lay burdens upon people which only “minister questions” rather than seeking to encourage them in their walk with Jesus Christ? May the Lord Jesus help us to be as those who build up others in the faith, and never be as those who decimate their relationship with God.

Next time Paul shares about a “pure heart”, a “good conscience” and “faith unfeigned”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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