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 it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers. 11Prescribe and teach these things. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. 13Until I come, give your attention to the public reading, to exhortation, and teaching. 14Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of 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

• Let noμηδείςmēdeis mēdemia mēden · nothingG3367
• lookκαταφρονέωkataphroneō · to despiseG2706
• your youthfulnessνεότηςneotēs · youthG3503
• in speechλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• conductἀναστροφήanastrophē · behaviourG391
• loveἀγάπηagapē · loveG26
• faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102
• purityἁγνείαhagneia · purityG47
• showγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• of thoseὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• who believeπιστόςpistos · faithfulG4103

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 4:12

• Matthew 18:10“See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
• 1 Corinthians 16:10Now if Timothy comes, see that he has no reason to be afraid while among you, for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am.
• 2 Timothy 2:7Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:6You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word during great affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
• 1 Thessalonians 2:10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly and rightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers;
• 2 Thessalonians 3:7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined way among you,
• 1 Peter 5:3nor yet as domineering over those assigned to your care, but by proving to be examples to the flock.
• 2 Corinthians 6:4but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in difficulties,
• Philippians 4:8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
• 2 Timothy 2:22Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
• James 3:13Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
• 2 Peter 1:5Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, 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