Here we are given some information as to the nature of the heresy that these heretical teachers are teaching, and for which they need to be rebuked, and it looks very much like the description we get in 1 Tim 1.4-7. For their faith to become sound, they must stop paying attention to these false teachings.

For giving heed see 1 Tim 1.4 (“occupying themselves”); 4.1. Here it means no longer paying attention to something (New Revised Standard Version “not paying attention to”) or devoting oneself to something.

For myths see 1 Tim 1.4. The word translated Jewish appears only here in the whole New Testament. It is used here with myths to describe either its origin (that is, originating from Jews and from Jewish literature) or its nature (that is, composed according to Jewish methods). Contemporary English Version‘s translation “senseless Jewish stories” is a good model.

For commands see 1 Tim 6.14. For reject see 2 Tim 1.15 (“turned away”), where a person is rejected rather than the truth. For truth see 1 Tim 2.4 and 2 Tim 4.4. Here it probably refers to the gospel. The text does not specify who these people are who reject the truth. But the next verse gives an example of their teachings.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• and to stop spending their time listening to made-up Jewish stories and to what people who have rejected the Christian doctrine command them to do.

Quoted with permission from Arichea, Daniel C. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to Titus. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1995. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .