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1 Timothy 1

1 Tim. 1:4 KJV (With Strong’s)

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4
Neither
mede (Greek #3366)
but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor
KJV usage: neither, nor (yet), (no) not (once, so much as).
Pronounce: may-deh'
Origin: from 3361 and 1161
give heedk to
prosecho (Greek #4337)
(figuratively) to hold the mind (3563 implied) towards, i.e. pay attention to, be cautious about, apply oneself to, adhere to
KJV usage: (give) attend(-ance, -ance at, -ance to, unto), beware, be given to, give (take) heed (to unto); have regard.
Pronounce: pros-ekh'-o
Origin: from 4314 and 2192
fables
muthos (Greek #3454)
a tale, i.e. fiction ("myth")
KJV usage: fable.
Pronounce: moo'-thos
Origin: perhaps from the same as 3453 (through the idea of tuition)
and
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
endless
aperantos (Greek #562)
unfinished, i.e. (by implication) interminable
KJV usage: endless.
Pronounce: ap-er'-an-tos
Origin: from 1 (as a negative particle) and a secondary derivative of 4008
genealogies
genealogia (Greek #1076)
tracing by generations, i.e. "genealogy"
KJV usage: genealogy.
Pronounce: ghen-eh-al-og-ee'-ah
Origin: from the same as 1075
, which
hostis (Greek #3748)
which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same
KJV usage: X and (they), (such) as, (they) that, in that they, what(-soever), whereas ye, (they) which, who(-soever). Compare 3754.
Pronounce: hos'-tis
Origin: ἥτις (hay'-tis), and the neuter ὅτι (hot'-ee) from 3739 and 5100
minister
parecho (Greek #3930)
to hold near, i.e. present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion
KJV usage: bring, do, give, keep, minister, offer, shew, + trouble.
Pronounce: par-ekh'-o
Origin: from 3844 and 2192
questions
zetesis (Greek #2214)
a searching (properly, the act), i.e. a dispute or its theme
KJV usage: question.
Pronounce: dzay'-tay-sis
Origin: from 2212
, rather
mallon (Greek #3123)
(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather
KJV usage: + better, X far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather.
Pronounce: mal'-lon
Origin: neuter of the comparative of the same as 3122
than
e (Greek #2228)
disjunctive, or; comparative, than
KJV usage: and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially 2235, 2260, 2273.
Pronounce: ay
Origin: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms
godly
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
edifying
oikodomia (Greek #3620)
confirmation
KJV usage: edifying.
Pronounce: oy-kod-om-ee'-ah
Origin: from the same as 3619
which is
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
faith
pistis (Greek #4102)
persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself
KJV usage: assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
Pronounce: pis'-tis
Origin: from 3982
: so do.
k
1 Tim. 6:3‑4,20• 3If any one teach differently, and do not accede to sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the teaching which is according to piety,
 4he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but sick about questions and disputes of words, out of which arise envy, strife, injurious words, evil suspicions,
 20O Timotheus, keep the entrusted deposit, avoiding profane, vain babblings, and oppositions of false-named knowledge, (1 Tim. 6:3‑4,20)

More on:

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Fable,
Faith,
Genealogies,
Minister

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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to.
1 Tim. 4:7• 7But profane and old wives' fables avoid, but exercise thyself unto piety; (1 Tim. 4:7)
;
1 Tim. 6:4,20• 4he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but sick about questions and disputes of words, out of which arise envy, strife, injurious words, evil suspicions,
 20O Timotheus, keep the entrusted deposit, avoiding profane, vain babblings, and oppositions of false-named knowledge, (1 Tim. 6:4,20)
;
2 Tim. 2:14,16‑18• 14Of these things put in remembrance, testifying earnestly before the Lord not to have disputes of words, profitable for nothing, to the subversion of the hearers.
 16But profane, vain babblings shun, for they will advance to greater impiety,
 17and their word will spread as a gangrene; of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
 18men who as to the truth have gone astray, saying that the resurrection has taken place already; and overthrow the faith of some. (2 Tim. 2:14,16‑18)
;
2 Tim. 4:4• 4and they will turn away their ear from the truth, and will have turned aside to fables. (2 Tim. 4:4)
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Titus 1:14• 14not turning their minds to Jewish fables and commandments of men turning away from the truth. (Titus 1:14)
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2 Peter 1:16• 16For we have not made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, following cleverly imagined fables, but having been eyewitnesses of *his* majesty. (2 Peter 1:16)
endless.
Titus 3:9• 9But foolish questions, and genealogies, and strifes, and contentions about the law, shun; for they are unprofitable and vain. (Titus 3:9)
questions.
1 Tim. 6:4‑5• 4he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but sick about questions and disputes of words, out of which arise envy, strife, injurious words, evil suspicions,
 5constant quarrellings of men corrupted in mind and destitute of the truth, holding gain to be the end of piety. (1 Tim. 6:4‑5)
;
2 Tim. 2:22• 22But youthful lusts flee, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Tim. 2:22)
godly.
1 Tim. 3:16• 16And confessedly the mystery of piety is great. God has been manifested in flesh, has been justified in the Spirit, has appeared to angels, has been preached among the nations, has been believed on in the world, has been received up in glory. (1 Tim. 3:16)
;
1 Tim. 6:3,11• 3If any one teach differently, and do not accede to sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the teaching which is according to piety,
 11But *thou*, O man of God, flee these things, and pursue righteousness, piety, faith, love, endurance, meekness of spirit. (1 Tim. 6:3,11)
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2 Cor. 1:12• 12For our boasting is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and sincerity before God, (not in fleshly wisdom but in God's grace,) we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly towards you. (2 Cor. 1:12)
;
2 Cor. 7:9‑10• 9Now I rejoice, not that ye have been grieved, but that ye have been grieved to repentance; for ye have been grieved according to God, that in nothing ye might be injured by us.
 10For grief according to God works repentance to salvation, never to be regretted; but the grief of the world works death. (2 Cor. 7:9‑10)
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Eph. 4:12‑16• 12for the perfecting of the saints; with a view to the work of the ministry, with a view to the edifying of the body of Christ;
 13until we all arrive at the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, at the full-grown man, at the measure of the stature of the fulness of the Christ;
 14in order that we may be no longer babes, tossed and carried about by every wind of *that* teaching which is in the sleight of men, in unprincipled cunning with a view to systematized error;
 15but, holding the truth in love, we may grow up to him in all things, who is the head, the Christ:
 16from whom the whole body, fitted together, and connected by every joint of supply, according to the working in its measure of each one part, works for itself the increase of the body to its self-building up in love. (Eph. 4:12‑16)
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Titus 1:1• 1Paul, bondman of God, and apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of God's elect, and knowledge of the truth which is according to piety; (Titus 1:1)
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Heb. 13:9• 9Be not carried away with various and strange doctrines; for it is good that the heart be confirmed with grace, not meats; those who have walked in which have not been profited by them. (Heb. 13:9)
• The "endless genealogies" were a vain effort to solve without Christ what is otherwise insoluble, and thus be lost in wandering mazes of the mind, apart from conscience, the one inlet by grace into all truth. (“On 1 Timothy 1:1-4” by W. Kelly)
• Truth is the answer to the wants of a troubled heart and the questionings of an exercised conscience; but endless genealogies were trash and could only give rise to questions. (“On 1 Timothy 1:5-11” by W. Kelly)
• The evil which the enemy sought to introduce, with regard to doctrine, had a twofold character: fables of human imagination and the introduction of the law into Christianity. (“1 Timothy 1” by J.N. Darby)
• Speculative questions do not act on the conscience, nor bring into the presence of God. (“1 Timothy 1” by J.N. Darby)
• Interminable genealogies assume that all blessing is a process of development handed down from one generation to another. (“The Charge and Its End: 1 Timothy 1” by H. Smith)
• Human speculations, appealing to reason, can only raise "questions" which leave the soul in darkness and doubt. Divine truth, appealing to conscience and faith, can alone give certainty and godly edification. (“The Charge and Its End: 1 Timothy 1” by H. Smith)

J. N. Darby Translation

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4
nor to turn their minds to fables and interminable genealogies, whichd bring questionings rather than further God’s dispensatione, which is in faith.

JND Translation Notes

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d
Not merely a relative pronoun, stating the fact, but the character. They are such as do so.
e
See Note l, Col. 1.25.

W. Kelly Translation

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4
nor to pay heed to fables and endless genealogies, such as furnish questionings rather than God’s dispensationa that is in faith.

WK Translation Notes

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a
All the older English versions are wrong. The true reading is oikonomian, "dispensation," in the sense of administration, or stewardship. It is evident that "edification" is not the point in question, but the right order of the house of God, and this in faith. Internal evidence is thus as strong as external as to the true reading.