Definition: Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: [so do].
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this beautiful verse from 1 Timothy 1:4. It’s a really important message about how we should approach understanding the Bible. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, the verse is saying: “Don’t focus on endlessly talking about history and family lines – those things often lead us away from the real purpose of the Bible – instead, concentrate on teaching people about God and how to live a righteous life through faith." Let's unpack that a little further: “Neither give heed…” - This means don’t be distracted. Don’t get caught up in lengthy explanations or debates about things that aren’t essential to understanding the core message of the Bible. “…to fables and endless genealogies…” – These are things like myths, stories about kings and families that tell us how things happened, rather than what God wants us to know. They're often full of questions and don’t really help us connect with God. Think of it as looking at a picture of a castle instead of the land within it. “…which minister questions, rather than godly edifying…” – This is the key part . "Questions" here refers to our minds trying to understand things without focusing on spiritual truth. “Godly edifying” is essentially about growing in your relationship with God and living a life that reflects His character - kindness, love, humility, faith, etc. It’s about becoming good people. “…which is in faith: [so do]” – This reinforces the point. “Faith” means believing in something, trusting in God's plan, and following what He tells us to do. So, "so do" means "do as we teach." In a nutshell: The verse encourages us to prioritize teaching and sharing the true message of the Bible – the story of God’s love and how we can connect with Him – rather than getting bogged down in historical details or endless narratives. Why is this important? The Bible isn't just about history; it’s a guide for living a righteous life, a path to salvation, and a relationship with God. By focusing on faith and godly edifying, we are putting ourselves in the right position to understand and follow God's will. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further with an example? Discuss what "godly edifying" means more deeply? Give you a short parable (a story) that illustrates this principle?