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

10Certainly, we work hard and struggle to live a godly life, because we place our confidence in the living God. He is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 11Insist on these things and teach them. Don’t let anyone look down on you for being young. Instead, make your speech, behavior, love, faith, and purity an example for other believers. 13Until I get there, concentrate on reading ⌞Scripture⌟ in worship, giving encouraging messages, and teaching people. 14Don’t neglect the gift which you received through prophecy when the spiritual leaders placed their hands on you ⌞to ordain you⌟.

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“Be careful not to despise these little ones. I can guarantee that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father, who is in heaven.
• 1 Corinthians 16:10If Timothy comes, make sure that he doesn’t have anything to be afraid of while he is with you. He’s doing the Lord’s work as I am,
• 2 Timothy 2:7Understand what I’m saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1Imitate me as I imitate Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:6You imitated us and the Lord. In spite of a lot of suffering, you welcomed God’s word with the kind of joy that the Holy Spirit gives.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:10You and God are witnesses of how pure, honest, and blameless we were in our dealings with you believers.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:7You know what you must do to imitate us. We lived a disciplined life among you.
• 1 Peter 5:3Don’t be rulers over the people entrusted to you, but be examples for the flock to follow.
• 2 Corinthians 6:4Instead, our lives demonstrate that we are God’s servants. We have endured many things: suffering, distress, anxiety,
• Philippians 4:8Finally, brothers and sisters, keep your thoughts on whatever is right or deserves praise: things that are true, honorable, fair, pure, acceptable, or commendable.
• 2 Timothy 2:22Stay away from lusts which tempt young people. Pursue what has God’s approval. Pursue faith, love, and peace together with those who worship the Lord with a pure heart.
• James 3:13Do any of you have wisdom and insight? Show this by living the right way with the humility that comes from wisdom.
• 2 Peter 1:5Because of this, make every effort to add integrity to your faith; and to integrity add 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