1 Timothy 1:3-4
New English Translation
Timothy’s Task in Ephesus
3 As I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus to instruct[a] certain people not to spread false teachings,[b] 4 nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies.[c] Such things promote useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan[d] that operates by faith.
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- 1 Timothy 1:3 tn This word implies authoritative instruction: “direct, command, give orders” (cf. 1 Tim 4:11; 5:7; 6:13, 17). See BDAG 760 s.v. παραγγέλλω.
- 1 Timothy 1:3 tn Grk “to teach other doctrines,” different from apostolic teaching (cf. 1 Tim 6:3).
- 1 Timothy 1:4 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).
- 1 Timothy 1:4 tc A few Western mss (D* latt Ir) read οἰκοδομήν (oikodomēn, “[God’s] edification”) rather than οἰκονομίαν (oikonomian, “[God’s] redemptive plan”), which is read by the earliest and best witnesses.tn More literally, “the administration of God that is by faith.”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.”
1 Timothy 1:3-4
New International Version
Timothy Charged to Oppose False Teachers
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia,(A) stay there in Ephesus(B) so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines(C) any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths(D) and endless genealogies.(E) Such things promote controversial speculations(F) rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith.
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