Do not pay attention (Titus 1:14)

“Do not pay attention

To Jewish myths

Or to human commandments

Of those who reject

The truth.”

μὴ προσέχοντες Ἰουδαϊκοῖς μύθοις καὶ ἐντολαῖς ἀνθρώπων ἀποστρεφομένων τὴν ἀλήθειαν.

Paul said, “Do not pay attention (μὴ προσέχοντες) to Jewish myths (Ἰουδαϊκοῖς μύθοις) or to the human commandments (καὶ ἐντολαῖς ἀνθρώπων) of those who reject (ἀποστρεφομένων) the truth (τὴν ἀλήθειαν).”  Only this letter to Titus used this word Ἰουδαϊκοῖς, that means Jewish or Judaic.  Only the letters of Paul used this word μύθοις that means a speech, story, a fable, an idle tale, or a fanciful story.  Paul did not want Titus to get involved with any of the Jewish Midrash stories about Old Testament personalities.  These apocryphal myths were not useful.  He told Titus to not give any heed to those human commandments that come from men who do not accept the Christian truth.  Paul wanted Titus to stay on task.  He was not to be led astray by some of the Jewish Christians in Crete who did not accept the truth.  These were the terrible false teachers that Paul was always against.  What do you think about myths?