Fables And Endless Genealogies

Temple Baptist Church - 10-4-2026

1 Timothy 1:4

 

Introduction: Preachers, “Keep the main thing the main thing.”

A. As Paul began his letters to young Timothy concerning the proper running of the church, he began with the imperative of sound doctrine. Doctrine is defined as “a principle or body of principles presented for acceptance or belief.” The biblical definition of doctrine is “instruction to be received or believed” so biblical doctrine must be bible based in order to have a right foundation.

 

B. Here, we find one of several such warnings, two in Timothy and one in Colossians. These three warnings expose the errors of those who choose extra-biblical revelations along with gross misinterpretation of the Scriptures. All these gender questions instead of giving answers.

 

C. Here are the things that Paul said to avoid.

 

1. False doctrines. Paul said no other doctrine was to be taught other than the sound doctrine he taught Timothy. Sound doctrine is given in the Bible, not by a denomination, local church, or preacher. Every denomination has its own doctrines. Some right doctrines and some false doctrines. Doctrine: a set of beliefs, principles, or teachings that a group, school, or government accepts and promotes.

 

1 Timothy 1:3 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,

 

2. Fables. A fable is defined as “a fictitious narrative or statement.” Two good illustrations are the Gap Theory of Genesis chapter one and the Angel Theory in Genesis chapter 6.

 

1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

 

a. The Gap Theory says, without any biblical standing, that there was a gap of millions or billions of years between verses one and two. Also called Theistic Evolution. In every day of creation, the Bible says that the evening and the morning was a 24-hour day as we know it.

 

b. The Angel Theory says that angels mated with women which would produce half man/half angel beings. Angels were not mentioned in the Bible up to that point but the context is genealogy of the Messianic Line of Seth and the Ungodly Line of Cain.

 

3. Endless Genealogies. Also commanded to Titus in Paul’s third Pastoral Epistle. The Bible has many genealogies in both Old and New Testaments. To show descent from Adam to Christ in the New Testament and show descent of the Twelve Tribes of Israel and the Levitical Priesthood.

1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. (So do! A direct command.)

 

The Jews kept complete records of genealogy from generation to generation that were so involved as to gender questions of the accuracy and worth.

 

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

 

4. Profane and Vain Babblings.

 

a. “Profane” (bebēlos) means common, worldly, or spiritually irreverent. The basic picture is something that is outside the sacred—something that treats holy things as ordinary. To get caught up into conversations that become ungodly. Paul says in his second epistle to Timothy:

2 Timothy 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

 

b. When we think of the word “vain,” we say “to no avail.” Literally “empty sounds” or “empty talk.” It refers to speech that sounds intellectual or religious but has no spiritual substance or value. Now, Paul is talking to a young pastor. When you talk with others about the Bible, they will always pull away to another conversation that has nothing to do with what you were talking to them about. Too much information is a phrase we use when someone goes beyond their biblical knowledge with unprofitable talk.

 

c. Babbling. Jabbering or making no sense. Paul exhorted Timothy to preach the word, not entertain, debate, or put on a show of articulation or oratory. Keep the main thing the main thing.

 

5. Oppositions of science falsely so called. Evolutionists believe that the Bible is not scientifically correct, though it is the Word of God.

 

1 Timothy 6:20-21 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: (21) Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

 

a. All true science agrees with the Bible while false science tries to disprove the Bible. The evolution and creation do not mesh biblically. Not here tonight to argue science and science false so called.

 

b. That is what God called it. God created the universe and the earth. He created science! Now men disagree with the science found in the Bible. True science belongs to God.

 

6. Where God is silent, man needs not speculate. God would have recorded more in the Bibleif it were necessary. As one old preacher said, “Don’t mess with God’s toys!”

 

Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

 

1. The secret things belong to the Lord! He knows all things while we know what He wants to know.

 

2. The revealed things belong to us that we may do what God requires.

 

7. God was perfectly clear in the Bible on things that He wanted us to know, follow, and perform! Questions open the door for speculation or supposition, which leads to extra-biblical revelation, which is man’s way of thinking instead of God’s.

 

Conclusion: All the above things cause God’s people to err concerning the faith instead of contending for it. I do not argue nor do I debate the Bible. My work is to contend for the faith and give the glorious gospel of Christ to the world. Just preach and teach the Bible for what it says and not for what it does not say.