Let no one despise thy youth, but be a model of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Commentary for this Verse
Paul writes to Timothy, a young man carrying a heavy charge among people who may not want to hear it. The verse answers a question every young believer faces: how do you carry weight your age has not yet earned?
Contempt answered by character
Timothy's youth was a real handicap, and commentators note both sides of it — the fault of those who looked down on him, and the responsibility it laid on him.
William KellyHere we have plain personal instructions for Timothy. Not pushing yourself forward gives more weight to a solemn charge or a faithful teaching, not less. Timothy needed this warning because he was young. Anyone who looked down on him for his age had no excuse. But it was a serious reason for Timothy to cultivate his own speech and manner of life. Such love, faith and purity ought to disarm even the difficult people he had to deal with among the believers.
The pressure came from real people, and one writer sees the same pattern still at work today.
W. T. P. WolstonTimothy was a very remarkable young man, though perhaps a little timid, so the apostle says, "Let no man despise thy youth" (1 Tim. 4:12). Some were inclined to snub him and throw cold water on him — something not unknown in the twentieth century from venerable seniors towards their younger brothers — a practice not to be recommended, however.
Setting the pattern rather than following one
The instruction is active. Timothy is not told to keep his head down until he is older.
Leslie M. GrantHe was not to allow men to despise his youth. This could only happen through what follows. Young though he was, he was to set the believers an example, not just follow the example of others. "In word" is first mentioned, for it is this that others will first observe. "By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Words reveal what most occupies the heart.
Yet setting the pattern is not the same as pushing forward. The danger runs in the opposite direction too.
Hamilton SmithAs a young man, he was to guard against self-assertion and youthful pride. That would spoil his testimony and lead people to despise him for his youth… If the truths we teach do not shape our own lives, can we expect our teaching to shape others?
Speech tested in everyday life
Since word comes first, the test is not the language of a public gathering.
A J Pollock"In word." This is a big test for each of us, for "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." Whatever rules our hearts will rule our speech. The question is not how we speak about divine things for an hour in a Bible study. The question is what our talk is like at home, at work, among friends, in company, and at all times.
The remaining four qualities
Older versions say "conversation" where we would say "conduct." Each of the four qualities carries its own visible weight.
Leslie M. Grant"In conversation" is better translated "in conduct." It covers not only what we say out loud but what we do. This too will claim the observation of others, who should see in it a godly example. "In love" is a precious addition to conduct. Love is the warm, attractive character that draws souls, and it needs real cultivation. "In faith" is no less important. The soul must learn to look away from circumstances to the Living God… "In purity" shows a single heart. It allows no mixing of principles and no watering down of truth.
Purity also has a plainly moral edge for a young man.
A J Pollock"In purity." This should clearly mark the Christian young man, above all in days of loose morals on every hand. The Apostle Paul urged Timothy to treat younger women "as sisters, in all purity" (1 Tim. 5:2). When young people give themselves to thoughtless flirtations, which come from the flesh, they run into great danger.
Doctrine held but not lived
The verse asks for practice, not information — and the gap between the two has a name.
A J PollockWhat is commanded here is not correct knowledge of doctrine, important as that is, but the carrying out of it in practice… Whether in the young or in the old, nothing is sadder than a head full of sound doctrine cut off from the conduct that doctrine calls for. In such a case you simply have a hypocrite.
Wider than Timothy — with a caution
The instruction reaches further than Timothy. But writers also warn that Timothy's youth is no licence for every young person to take a public place.
W. TrotterGod's call and Christ's gift may rest on a young man like Timothy… and "let no one despise you for your youth" would apply to such a person today, just as it did to Timothy long ago. But the words "not a recent convert" were addressed to Timothy too. His youth was no encouragement to step forward for those who had neither the gift nor the grace God gave him.
Summary
- Problem. Timothy was young, and some looked down on him. They had no excuse. But that gave him all the more reason to cultivate speech, life, love, faith and purity.
- Answer. He was not to argue for respect. He was to be an example, setting the pattern instead of copying others.
- Order. Word comes first because it is noticed first. The test is ordinary talk at home, at work and among friends, not an hour in a Bible study.
- Range. Conduct, love, faith and purity carry the same demand. Love draws souls. Faith looks past circumstances to God. Purity keeps a single heart.
- Result. Doctrine known but not lived makes a hypocrite. Doctrine lived out disarms difficult people, and the young man is no longer despised.