1 Timothy 1:4

“Nor to pay attention to myths”: To give attention to something involves an attending to and giving oneself up to. These “myths” are termed “Jewish” in Titus 1:14 and “old wives fables” in 1 Timothy 4:7.

1. The traditions of the Jews contained many fables and myths. The traditions of the Jews, handed down from generation to generation, the Targums, the books written by the rabbis are filled with legends and fables.

2. Others interpreted the Old Testament allegorically and were looking for hidden meanings, just like some today are looking for some secret code in the Bible.

3. The Cabbala is the designation for. mystical system of philosophy that arose among the Jews during the intertestamental period. It signifies. secret system of theology, metaphysics, and magic along the lines of pantheism. Certain esoteric doctrines were said to have been first recorded by Solomon, and then passed on by word of mouth to the present. Many of these have to do with formulas and incantations that can be used for healing purposes.

4.. tremendous number of myths equally were found in paganism and Gnosticism. Yet this above verse would forbid the pursuing of any myths and fables. Notice how the Holy Spirit contrasts sound doctrine with myth. Nothing in the Scriptures is mythical, rather the Scriptures are historical accurate (2 Timothy 3:16).

5.

1 Timothy 1:4 “Endless genealogies”: There is nothing wrong with genealogies per se for the Bible contains various genealogies. Note the word “endless”, “having no useful end or purpose” (P.P. Comm. p. 2). “Having no useful end or purpose” (Reese p. 11). “The Old Testament genealogical lists were often amplified by the Jews. Names were invented and whole tales were woven about them. The Jewish Book of Jubilees provides examples of this…Paul terms such handling of genealogies as endless, for there can be no terminus to such allegorizing. The only restriction would be the amount of ingenuity possessed by the expositor” (Kent pp. 81-82). “From these lists (or from those in Genesis,. Chronicles, Ezra, or Nehemiah) the Jews would take name (indeed, they even invented new names) and make up. nice story about the person who otherwise (as far as the Biblical record is concerned) is only. name” (Reese p. 11).

1 Timothy 1:4 “Which give rise to mere speculation”: Here are the results of paying attention to such teachings and allowing them to be taught. The term “speculation” is translated in the KJV by the term “questions” which means, “Disputes, questions over controversial matters, troublesome and angry debates”. That is, such false doctrine only leads to further speculations and “interpretations based upon the inventiveness of men can never reach the settled state of God's truth” (Kent p. 82). In addition, such speculating only produces division. “The myths and endless genealogies have little bearing on practical living. Interpretations and allegories based on the inventiveness of men can never help. man know God's will,. knowledge of which comes only by divine revelation!” (Reese p. 12).

1 Timothy 1:4 “Rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith”: The term “administration” means “an arrangement or administration of affairs” (Vine pp. 320-321). “Training (in the way of salvation) they promote useless speculations rather than divine training that is in faith” (Arndt p. 560). “God has. method for administering or managing the salvation of the world. The false teachers were not furthering the administration or management policies of God. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17), not from hearing human speculations and endless genealogies. After all, Jesus and the apostles have proclaimed the eternal purpose of God. No human additions or added speculations are needed” (Reese pp. 12,13).