nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies. ¹  Such things promote useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan ²  that operates by faith.

biblegateway 1Ti 1:4

nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.

or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God's plan, which operates by faith.

and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause useless speculations rather than God’s plan [that is] by faith.

biblegateway 1Ti 1:4

nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith.

nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.

bibleoremus 1Ti 1:4

and not to occupy themselves with myths and endless genealogies that promote speculations rather than the divine training that is known by faith.

and devoting themselves to interminable myths and genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation, and do not further God's plan for us, which works through faith.

biblegateway 1Ti 1:4

nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.

Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: [so do].

biblegateway 1Ti 1:4

nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies. ¹  Such things promote useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan ²  that operates by faith.

¹ sn Myths and interminable genealogies. These myths were legendary tales characteristic of the false teachers in Ephesus and Crete. See parallels in 1 Tim 4:7; 2 Tim 4:4; and Titus 1:14. They were perhaps built by speculation from the patriarchal narratives in the OT; hence the connection with genealogies and with wanting to be teachers of the law (v. 7).

² tc A few Western mss (D* latt Ir) read οἰκοδομήν (oikodomhn, “[God’s] edification”) rather than οἰκονομίαν (oikonomian, “[God’s] redemptive plan”), which is read by the earliest and best witnesses.

² tn More literally, “the administration of God that is by faith.”

² sn God’s redemptive plan. The basic word (οἰκονομία, oikonomia) denotes the work of a household steward or manager or the arrangement under which he works: “household management.” As a theological term it is used of the order or arrangement by which God brings redemption through Christ (God’s “dispensation, plan of salvation” [Eph 1:10; 3:9]) or of human responsibility to pass on the message of that salvation (“stewardship, commission” [1 Cor 9:17; Eph 3:2; Col 1:25]). Here the former is in view (see the summary of God’s plan in 1 Tim 2:3-6; 2 Tim 1:9-10; Titus 3:4-7), and Paul notes the response people must make to God’s arrangement: It is “in faith” or “by faith.”