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, for this we labour and suffer reproach, because we hope in a living God, who is preserver of all men, specially of those that believe. 11Enjoin and teach these things. Let no one despise thy youth, but be a model of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13Till I come, give thyself to reading, to exhortation, to teaching. 14Be not negligent of the gift [that is] in thee, which has been given to thee through prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the elderhood.

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

• oneμηδείςmēdeis mēdemia mēden · nothingG3367
• despiseκαταφρονέωkataphroneō · to despiseG2706
• youthνεότηςneotēs · youthG3503
• believersπιστόςpistos · faithfulG4103
• wordλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• conductἀναστροφήanastrophē · behaviourG391
• loveἀγάπηagapē · loveG26
• faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102
• purityἁγνείαhagneia · purityG47

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 4:12

• Matthew 18:10See that ye do not despise one of these little ones; for I say unto you that their angels in [the] heavens continually behold the face of my Father who is in [the] heavens.
• 1 Corinthians 16:10Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear; for he works the work of the Lord, even as I.
• 2 Timothy 2:7Think of what I say, for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1Be my imitators, even as I also [am] of Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:6and ye became our imitators, and of the Lord, having accepted the word in much tribulation with joy of [the] Holy Spirit,
• 1 Thessalonians 2:10Ye [are] witnesses, and God, how piously and righteously and blamelessly we have conducted ourselves with you that believe:
• 2 Thessalonians 3:7For ye know yourselves how ye ought to imitate us, because we have not walked disorderly among you;
• 1 Peter 5:3not as lording it over your possessions, but being models for the flock.
• 2 Corinthians 6:4but in everything commending ourselves as God's ministers, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in straits,
• Philippians 4:8For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things [are] true, whatsoever things [are] noble, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] amiable, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue and if any praise, think on these things.
• 2 Timothy 2:22But youthful lusts flee, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace, with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart.
• James 3:13Who [is] wise and understanding among you; let him shew out of a good conversation his works in meekness of wisdom;
• 2 Peter 1:5But for this very reason also, using therewith all diligence, in your faith have also virtue, in 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

• 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