Phils notes on 1 Timothy 3-4
3. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4. Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
“As I besought thee to abide, still at Ephesus….” Timothy was left here at Ephesus by Paul.
Paul wanted Timothy to emphasize to the Church at Emphasis to teach no other doctrine than the doctrine of Christ and the Apostles Doctrine. The doctrine needed to be that of scriptural truth.
Paul had the spiritual maturity to know that there may have been some that had doctrine that did not meet with spiritual standards. Because it was some that seem to be the most danger; Paul wanted Timothy to carry on for a while. Paul wanted to make sure that no other doctrine was introduced.
Paul had know the possibilities of fables or things that were untrue. Paul thought it not profitable for these fables to be told.
Paul was very thorough as then he was keyed into the fact that there were genealogies that were endless and had no need in the house of God. There were private and public genealogies of the Jews which showed what tribe they were. And weather they were Priests or Levites. This Cause debates and questions that was not profitable for the Church.
“…rather than godly edifying, which is in Faith.”
It is evident here that it was Paul’s intention to build up the people in the faith and he had the full intention to do so through Timothy. The people of Ephesus needed to be encouraged to have a Godly and enriched from the Doctrines of Christ and those things Paul had Spiritual discernment.
It is important to note that Paul was not against the Biblical genealogies such as written in the Bible today but there were unimportant genealogies that had became a debate and wasting of time of which could of and should have been put into building each other up.
There are many today who will go into endless debates in Churches which I find quite disturbing. Examples of those debates are: Is the Holy Spirit a He or a She? Or Should women be preachers in a Church?
As with Paul’s instruction that is most agreeable by me, we should measure those things which seem debatable with scripture. Paul had many things to say in his writings. Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Timothy and Titus. To save writing I know there are more.
In the day of Paul, He saw that there were problems in the Church and there needed to be some guidance to sort those things out. I wonder what he would think today in today’s world and Churches.
Nevertheless, these writings and instructions became a big part of God’s Word. Since Godly instructions are in the Bible than it should be followed. I guess, then it comes to the question well, if we did everything in the Bible at all times, we would then be sinless.
So what part of the Bible should we do away with? None is the answer. God wants us to be conformed to the image of His Son. As issues in our lives and the understanding of what the Bible says come our way we should listen and contemplate weather or not we are doing the right thing or not. Importantly in church, when we gather to worship Him.
It is important that we build up each other. Let us not fall into the trap of endless debates but encourage one another to examine the Scriptures.
KJV Bible
Gills Commentary
