1 Timothy 4:12, commentary and pictures

Youth is no reason for others to look down on, dismiss, or disregard a person, and being young must never hold anyone back from faithful service. Instead the young are to be a pattern for other believers in speech, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity. That charge belongs to young ministers and to young people today in every line of work as fully as it did to Timothy, calling them to do their duty, dare to be true, and live out what they teach so no one can dismiss their example because of youth. It also calls every believer, and especially ministers, teachers, physicians, and all who guide the young, to set the same godly example in word and action that brings conviction to unbelievers. Such an example requires a life above reproach that matches the truth taught, sharing Christ's self-denial, patience, and benevolence while resisting and overcoming every sinful trait through His strength, because right influence has great power to win others to salvation.

Wording and Original Setting

Being young gives no one a right to look down on, dismiss, or disregard the young worker, and youth itself must never be allowed to hinder faithful service. Respect is to be gained not by age but by becoming a pattern for believers in speech, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity. In Timothy's case the churches had no ground to slight him because he had been properly educated, his principles were firmly established, and he bore responsibility with Christian meekness. He did not act self-sufficiently but labored together with Paul and sought his advice and instruction as a learner, so confidence could safely be placed in him.

The command to be an example defines six distinct areas to model: speech or word, conduct or conversation, love or charity, spirit, faith, and purity. This charge stands joined to commanding and teaching, giving attention to reading, exhortation and doctrine, not neglecting the entrusted gift, meditating and giving oneself wholly to these duties, and taking heed to oneself and to doctrine in order to save both oneself and one's hearers. That connection calls for diligent study of Scripture, cultivation of the gift entrusted, and wholehearted devotion with careful watch over life and teaching. Faithful persistence in reading, exhortation, teaching, meditation, and self-watchfulness brings benefit to both the worker and those who hear, while absorption in temporal concerns prevents becoming a successful, thorough gospel worker.

The same charge is to work out salvation with fear and trembling in cooperation with God rather than walking in mere human wisdom. Walked alone, feet will slip even on the safest path, and no step can be taken safely in human wisdom alone. By searching the Word of the living God a person comes to know that the hand of Jesus Christ holds firmly, so he can walk without fear.

Youth Called to Exemplify

The charge to let no one look down on youth is given to young ministers, that contempt for their age must not keep them from faithful service, and they are to dare to be true by living out in their own lives the qualities they teach. To be an example to believers means modeling speech, conduct or conversation, love or charity, spirit, faith, and purity.

That same charge laid on Timothy belongs to young people in every age today, calling them to do their duty and to live in such a way that no one can dismiss their example because of youth. Their lives are to model Christian character and godliness in speech, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity. Answering contempt in this way includes resisting and overcoming sins and objectionable traits of character, whether inherited or cultivated, by comparing them with God's rule of righteousness and resisting them through Christ's strength.

This instruction and education is for every young man attending school, for every young man purposing to enter the ministry, and for every youth engaging as a canvasser or in any other line of work. They need to listen to God's will as God gave His word to Paul and Paul voiced that word to Timothy, joining the command not to let youth be despised and to be an example with commanding, teaching, giving attention to reading, exhortation and doctrine, not neglecting the gift, meditating and giving oneself wholly to these duties, and taking heed to oneself and to doctrine so as to save oneself and one's hearers.

It is God's present call for large-hearted, large-minded young men who are not trifling but hear the Word of God and obey it. God calls young men and young women in the very last period of this earth's history because of their fresh ability to be co-workers with Jesus, sharing His life of self-denial and self-sacrifice for the salvation of souls. They are to look their calling fairly in the face and decide to devote time, strength, influence, toil, talent, and wealth to the work that lies nearest to God, serving under the conditions of serving the crucified Redeemer. They are to learn in His school to use the gift that is in them, to put on the armor of righteousness and make no provision for the flesh, to be a model for believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, and to give themselves wholly to reading, exhortation, and doctrine and continue in self-watchfulness and sound teaching so that they save themselves and those who hear them. True religion places everyone under obligation to do his best, not to use power in selfish projects nor to feel at liberty to do what he pleases, but to glorify God in body and spirit.

Youth is no reason to dismiss young believers, and young men and women are to be encouraged rather than despised for youth, urged to use and develop their abilities and talents fully and to improve them to the utmost in God's service. They are to advance in spiritual life, and God desires constant advancement and rejoices when the young become filled with His Spirit and put on the armor to engage in aggressive warfare for Him. Youthful mistakes in speech, word, or action are expected, but heeding the Lord's correction and reproof and correcting each mistake brings advancement. Those whom God raises up grow in the fear of the Lord in proportion as they grow in the knowledge of the truth, cultivating reverence for God and for His sacred service.

All Believers Called to Exemplify

The call to be an example belongs to every believer, to model in speech, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity toward fellow believers. That example is given through both words and actions, so that it also stands as a witness that brings conviction to unbelievers. Living in this way is made possible by Christ's grace, as the expression of genuine faith and devotion to God. For believers together it means putting confidence in the ministers of the local conference and the officers of the local church, drawing near to fellow members, loving them with a true and fervent heart, and encouraging them to bear their responsibilities faithfully in the fear of God.

Those whom young people look to for guidance are especially charged to set that godly example. This applies to workers in every institution, who are to learn from Christ daily and to sanctify themselves and live godly lives, recognizing that a right example has powerful influence for good. By contrast, seeking only amusement and self-pleasure sets a low standard for themselves and those they influence and can lead to giving up the faith. A Christian teacher, as a representative of Christ, is to be an example in daily life, displaying purity and other Christian principles rather than requiring students to practice what the teacher does not exemplify, for such conduct teaches those in care what the Christian life is. Those who advocate God's truth, including physicians and evangelists, are to be examples to believers in how they speak and live, by exalting God's word, living and teaching health reform, and emphasizing truths Christians generally share. Older people likewise are to educate the young by teaching and example to govern themselves, live in purity, and reject everything wicked, preparing them for serious responsibilities.

Those called to ministry must set an example for believers through conduct and character that demonstrates fitness for sacred service and reflects the holiness required of God's ministers. The minister's speech is to be modest and chaste, and conduct is to display holiness, cleanliness, and order. The truth taught must be evident in the life both in and out of the pulpit, because others follow that example and adopt the standard the life sets.

Youth is no bar to being used by God, for young, humble, devoted followers of Christ can serve Him. Others should therefore encourage young men and young women and not hinder them. Christ's love, working through grace, removes barriers and leads people to give themselves to God fully.

Character of Exemplary Life

Preaching the word, correcting sin, and teaching truth must be matched by a godly life, with conduct above reproach so that teaching reflects Jesus and gives no truthful ground for accusation. Faithful study of Scripture sanctifies and prepares the teacher to teach others, and lives marked by Christian graces and purity commend the faith to unbelievers who observe them. Those who preach the last warning are to live out the truths they teach in eating, drinking, speech, and conduct. In correcting wrong, faithfulness must act with love and meekness, and precept must be supported by example in speaking about important matters.

Being an example means living soberly as co-workers with Christ, sharing His self-denial, sacrifice, patience, and benevolence. It means putting on the armor of righteousness and making no provision for the flesh. It means glorifying God in body and spirit rather than using power in selfish projects or feeling at liberty to do what one pleases. True religion places everyone under obligation to do his best under the conditions of serving the crucified Redeemer.

It requires resisting and overcoming sins and objectionable traits of character, whether inherited or cultivated, by comparing them with God's rule of righteousness and resisting them through Christ's strength. Christ's grace enables this life as the expression of genuine faith and devotion to God.

A godly example has great power because influence matters and others follow the lead. Workers in every institution are to learn from Christ daily, recognizing that a right example has powerful influence for good, while seeking only amusement and self-pleasure sets a low standard and can lead to giving up the faith. The example of Christ must be upheld among families and in villages, cities, and people's hearts, so that others may be led toward salvation. A minister's speech should be modest and chaste, and his conduct should display holiness, cleanliness, and order, with the truth he teaches evident both in and out of the pulpit because others follow his example and adopt the standard his life sets. Confessing errors sets a good example that encourages confession and unity in the church, and such a life helps win people to Jesus and Bible truth. Everyone serving in a mission, young or old, is to have life and work above reproach so as to help those in their care grow in character, sustained by prayer, close communion with God, and control of unholy passions through God's grace.

Young people can serve God's cause through the vigor, zeal, courage, clear thinking, and energetic action of youth, bringing glory to God and salvation to others. They are to look their calling fairly in the face and decide to devote time, strength, influence, toil, talent, and wealth to the work that lies nearest to God. They are to learn in His school to use the gift that is in them, to give themselves wholly to reading, exhortation, and doctrine, and to continue in self-watchfulness and sound teaching so that they save themselves and those who hear them.

Practical Expressions of Example

Being an example in word begins in youth with learning the proper manner of speech, using discreet, modest and chaste words, and the lesson must start early because usefulness is measured by power to communicate personal experience received from God. Education falls short unless students learn to use the faculty of speech to best advantage and turn their learning to account in communicating what they know. For a minister this means speech that is modest and chaste, with conduct displaying holiness, cleanliness and order, so that the truth taught is evident both in and out of the pulpit because others follow and adopt the standard the life sets. The same charge calls a young person not to be led away from what is right but to model discreet speech and conduct, relying on God rather than own strength, making God the guide, and remaining humble.

In work the example is to be orderly, thorough and faithful, so that conduct rightly represents the truth professed. Whether young or old in mission service, life and work are to be above reproach and to help those in care grow in character, sustained by prayer, close communion with God, and control of unholy passions through divine grace. For teachers this extends to observing health principles and practicing temperance in diet, dress, labor and recreation, displaying purity and Christian principles instead of requiring of students what is not exemplified, and such consistency can inspire interest in and respect for useful manual labor. As representatives of Christ, teachers by daily conduct teach those in their care what the Christian life is.

Those who advocate truth and preach the last warning are to live what they teach and serve as examples in eating, drinking, speech and conduct. That means exalting God's word, living and teaching health reform, and emphasizing the great truths Christians generally share. In church life being an example means putting confidence in the ministers of the local conference and the officers of the local church, drawing near to fellow members, loving them with a true and fervent heart, and encouraging them to bear responsibilities faithfully in the fear of God rather than sending tithe elsewhere. It includes confessing errors to encourage confession and unity, winning people to Jesus and Bible truth through pure speech and conduct marked by godliness, meekness, humility and a kind spirit, faithfully attending public worship so as to encourage attendance rather than furnish excuse for neglect, praying for laborers instead of merely criticizing, and loving brethren fervently.

The charge joins example to giving attention to reading, exhortation and doctrine, not neglecting the gift, meditating and giving oneself wholly to these duties, and taking heed to self and teaching so as to save self and hearers. Neglect of that devoted reading, exhortation, teaching, meditation and self-watchfulness through absorption in temporal concerns keeps a person from becoming a successful, thorough gospel worker. Ministers are to be examples to the young by not laughing and joking with them, so that the young may follow Christ as the ministers follow Him in the way of salvation. In correcting wrong the worker must make conduct match teaching, speak of important matters, support precept by example, and act faithfully with love and meekness, while older people are to educate the young by teaching and example to govern themselves, live in purity and reject everything wicked. Personally applied, the counsel urges reliance on God rather than own strength, making God the guide, remaining humble, and refusing to be led away from what is right.