John Bengel Commentary - 1 Timothy 1:4 - 1:4

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John Bengel Commentary - 1 Timothy 1:4 - 1:4


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1Ti 1:4. Μηδὲ προσέχειν, nor give heed) in teaching.-μύθοις καὶ γενεαλογίαις, to fables and genealogies) A Hendiadys. Comp. on fables, ch. 1Ti 4:7; 2Ti 4:4; Tit 1:14; on genealogies, ib. ch. 1Ti 3:9. And because these two things are joined together, and because those who taught such doctrines boasted of the law, it is evident that the apostle is not speaking of the genealogies of the Jewish families, but of the genealogies of the œons, against which Irenaeus and Tertullian quote this very passage. Nay, even Paul opposes to them the true consideration of the œons, 1Ti 1:17 [τῷ βασιλεῖ τῶν αἰώνων-δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, “to the King of the æons (ages)-be glory, throughout the æons of æons”]. But if there be any doubt, whether those who taught another doctrine used the word œons already at that time, the wisdom of God [“the only wise God,” 1Ti 1:17] should be the more admired, which confutes (by anticipation) words not yet framed; comp. note to Mat 26:27. γενεά and αἰὼν are kindred words. The more inquisitive Jews had at that time very much mixed themselves up with the Gentiles. Paul casts no reproach on civil genealogies: he puts fables before this word; a fact quite inconsistent with his meaning the genealogies of families, which were evidently not fabulous. At least Paul would not have cared whether they were true or false. There was on the part of those men a certain degree of boasting, that they can search more deeply than others into the mysteries contained in the law-a circumstance which greatly impeded the power of the Gospel, especially around Ephesus.-ζητήσεις, questions) Questions to be terminated by no decision, nothing at all desirable; pure truth is profitable. Comp. on these, and on “strifes about words,” ch. 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:14; 2Ti 2:23-24; and presently after, 1Ti 1:6-7; Tit 3:9.-οἰκονομίαν Θεοῦ) [godly edifying]. Οἰκονομία, in this passage, implies the act, not the state; moreover, the constant act [‘edifying’]. Where time is wasted in useless questions, there the necessary and salutary functions in the house[2] of God are neglected.

[2] In allusion to the derivation of οἰκονομία from οἶκος and νέμω. So ædificatio, edification, from ædes facere.-ED.