1 Timothy 4:12

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 this reason we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 11Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. 13Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. 14Don’t neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.

1 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Letκαταφρονέωkataphroneō · to despiseG2706
• no manμηδείςmēdeis mēdemia mēden · nothingG3367
• thyσύsu · youG4771
• youthνεότηςneotēs · youthG3503
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• be thouγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• an exampleτύποςtupos · mark/exampleG5179
• of the believersπιστόςpistos · faithfulG4103
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• wordλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• conversationἀναστροφήanastrophē · behaviourG391
• charityἀγάπηagapē · loveG26
• spiritπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102
• purityἁγνείαhagneia · purityG47

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 4:12

• Matthew 18:10“See to it that you don’t despise one of these little ones, because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually view the face of my Father in heaven.
• 1 Corinthians 16:10If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear while with you, because he is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am.
• 2 Timothy 2:7Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:6and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message with joy from the Holy Spirit.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:7For you yourselves know how you should imitate us: We were not idle among you;
• 1 Peter 5:3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
• 2 Corinthians 6:4Instead, as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardships, by difficulties,
• Philippians 4:8Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things.
• 2 Timothy 2:22Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
• James 3:13Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.
• 2 Peter 1:5For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with 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

• Charitableness
• Children
• Commandments
• Continence
• Example
• Holiness
• Love
• Minister, Christian
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• Attendance
• Charge
• Example
• Faithful
• Godliness
• Nourish
• Presbytery
• Profane
• Profiting
• Thanksgiving

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