Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Timothy 1:4

"neither to give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questionings, rather than a dispensation of God which is in faith; [so do I now]." — 1 Timothy 1:4 (ASV)

Neither give heed to fables. That is, they should not pay attention to fables or consider such trivial matters important. The "fables" referred to here were probably the idle and childish superstitions and notions of the Jewish Rabbis. The word translated fable (muyov) properly means speech or discourse, and then fable or fiction, or a mystical discourse.

Such things were common among the Greeks as well as the Jews, but it is probable that the latter are particularly intended here. These consisted of frivolous and unfounded stories, which they regarded as very important, and which they seem to have desired to incorporate with the teachings of Christianity.

Paul, who had been brought up among these superstitions, immediately saw how they would tend to draw the mind away from the truth and corrupt the true religion. One of the most successful tactics of the adversary of souls has been to mix fable with truth; and when he cannot overthrow the truth by direct opposition, he seeks to neutralize it by mixing it with much that is false and frivolous.

And endless genealogies. This also refers to Jewish teaching. The Hebrews kept careful genealogical records, because this was necessary so that the distinction of their tribes might be maintained. Of course, over centuries, these tables would become very numerous, complicated, and extended—so that they might, without much exaggeration, be called "endless." The Jews attached great importance to them and insisted on their being carefully preserved. However, since the Messiah had now come, the Jewish polity was to end, the separation between them and the Gentiles was no longer necessary, and the distinction of tribes was now useless, it was not proper for these distinctions to be regarded by Christians. Moreover, the whole system was contrary to the spirit of Christianity, as it served to maintain the pride of lineage and birth.

Which minister questions. This means they give rise to troublesome and angry debates. It was often difficult to settle or understand them. They became complicated and perplexing. Nothing is more difficult than to unravel an extensive genealogical table. Attempting to do so, therefore, would often lead to contentions; and, when settled, would lead even further to questions about rank and precedence.

Rather than godly edifying which is in faith. These inquiries do nothing to promote true religion in the soul. They establish no permanent principle of truth; they determine nothing that is truly relevant to the salvation of people. They might be pursued through life, and not one soul be converted by them; they might be settled with the greatest accuracy, and yet not one heart be made better. Is this not still true of many controversies and logomachies in the church? No point of controversy is worth much trouble if settling it one way or the other would not tend to convert the soul from sin or establish some important principle in promoting true religion.

So do. These words are supplied by our translators but are necessary for the meaning. The meaning is that Timothy was to remain at Ephesus and faithfully perform the duty he had been left there to discharge.