Lexical Summary muthos: Myth, fable, tale Original Word: μῦθος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fable. Perhaps from the same as mueo (through the idea of tuition); a tale, i.e. Fiction ("myth") -- fable. see GREEK mueo HELPS Word-studies 3454 mýthos – a myth; a false account, yet posing to be the truth; a fabrication (fable) which subverts (replaces) what is actually true. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a speech, story, i.e. a fable NASB Translation fables (1), myths (3), tales (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3454: μῦθοςμῦθος, μυθου, ὁ, from Homer down; 1. a speech, word, saying. 2. a narrative, story; a. a true narrative. b. a fiction, a fable; universally, an invention, falsehood: 2 Peter 1:16; the fictions of the Jewish theosophists and Gnostics, especially concerning the emanations and orders of the aeons, are called μυθοι (A. V. fables) in 1 Timothy 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:14. (Cf. Trench, § xc., and references under the word γεναλογια.) Found five times in the Greek New Testament, μῦθος is always set in stark contrast to God-given revelation. While the surrounding culture prized fanciful tales—whether pagan epics, gnostic speculations, or embellished Jewish traditions—the apostolic writers reject such fabrications as spiritually unprofitable and potentially destructive. Occurrences and Immediate Context • 1 Timothy 1:4 – Myths and endless genealogies foster speculation and detract from “the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.” Contrast with Apostolic Truth In every occurrence, μῦθος represents a counterfeit to divine truth. The apostles present: 1. A factual gospel grounded in eyewitness testimony and fulfilled prophecy (2 Peter 1:16-21). Historical Background First-century Asia Minor and the wider Greco-Roman world were saturated with legendary narratives—from Homeric sagas to local cultic lore. At the same time, certain Jewish circles circulated speculative tales about patriarchs and angels. Both streams produced an atmosphere ripe for “cleverly devised myths.” The church was therefore planted amid competing truth-claims, requiring pastors like Timothy and Titus to guard the flock against culturally attractive but theologically hollow stories. Pastoral and Ministry Significance 1. Discernment: Leaders must distinguish between edifying narrative and imaginative distortion. Defense of Eyewitness Testimony Peter counters accusations that the transfiguration account is mythical by pointing to his personal experience and the prophetic word “made more certain” (2 Peter 1:19). This sets a model for defending the faith: present historical evidence and the coherence of Scripture rather than resorting to imaginative embellishment. Application for the Contemporary Church • Uphold the sufficiency of Scripture amid modern myths—whether secular ideologies, conspiracy theories, or novel spiritualities. Summary μῦθος warns believers against any narrative—religious, cultural, or philosophical—that masquerades as truth but lacks divine authority. By rejecting myths and embracing the apostolic message, the church remains “the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). Englishman's Concordance 1 Timothy 1:4 N-DMPGRK: μηδὲ προσέχειν μύθοις καὶ γενεαλογίαις NAS: to pay attention to myths and endless KJV: give heed to fables and INT: nor to give heed to fables and genealogies 1 Timothy 4:7 N-AMP 2 Timothy 4:4 N-AMP Titus 1:14 N-DMP 2 Peter 1:16 N-DMP Strong's Greek 3454 |
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