American Standard Version
1 Timothy 4:12
12Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
- New International Version (NIV)Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Context of 1 Timothy 4:12
10For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe. 11These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity. 13Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. 14Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
Read all of 1 Timothy 41 Timothy 4:12 word by word
μηδείς σου τῆς νεότητος καταφρονείτω, ἀλλὰ τύπος γίνου τῶν πιστῶν, ἐν λόγῳ, ἐν ἀναστροφῇ, ἐν ἀγάπῃ ἐν πίστει, ἐν ἁγνείᾳ.Read the interlinear
Cross-references for 1 Timothy 4:12
- Matthew 18:10See that ye despise not one of these little ones: for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven.
- 1 Corinthians 16:10Now if Timothy come, see that he be with you without fear; for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do:
- 2 Timothy 2:7Consider what I say; for the Lord shall give thee understanding in all things.
- 1 Corinthians 11:1Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:6And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit;
- 1 Thessalonians 2:10Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and righteously and unblamably we behaved ourselves toward you that believe:
- 2 Thessalonians 3:7For yourselves know how ye ought to imitate us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
- 1 Peter 5:3neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.
- 2 Corinthians 6:4but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
- Philippians 4:8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
- 2 Timothy 2:22But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- James 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom.
- 2 Peter 1:5Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge;
Commentaries on 1 Timothy 4:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Let no man despise thy youth - Act with all the gravity and decorum which become thy situation in the Church. As thou art in the place of an elder, act as an elder. Boyish playfulness ill becomes a minister of the Gospel, whatever his age may be. Concerning Timothy's age see the conclusion of the preface to this epistle. Be thou an example of the believers - It is natural for the flock to follow the shepherd; if he go wrong, they will go wrong also…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Let no man despise thy youth - That is, do not act in such a manner that any shall despise you on account of your youth. Act as becomes a minister of the gospel in all things, and in such a way that people will respect you as such, though you are young. It is clear from this that Timothy was then a young man, but his exact age there is no means of determining. It is implied here: (1) that there was danger that, by the levity and indiscretion to which…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-16Verses 11-16 Men's youth will not be despised, if they keep from vanities and follies. Those who teach by their doctrine, must teach by their life. Their discourse must be edifying; their conversation must be holy; they must be examples of love to God and all good men, examples of spiritual-mindedness. Ministers must mind these things as their principal work and business. By this means their profiting will appear in all things, as well as to all persons…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12set an example: Only those whose lives are shaped by the good news about Jesus are worthy teachers of it (see 2 Timothy 3:10–11; Titus 2:7; Hebrews 13:7). The false teachers were not.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Let no man despise thy youth--Act so as to be respected in spite of thy youth (1Co 16:11; Tit 2:15); compare "youthful" as to Timothy (2Ti 2:22). He was but a mere youth when he joined Paul (Ac 16:1-3). Eleven years had elapsed since then to the time subsequent to Paul's first imprisonment. He was, therefore, still young; especially in comparison with Paul, whose place he was filling; also in relation to elderly presbyters whom he should "entreat as a…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Timothy 4:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Timothy 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries