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

10(for to this end we work hard and strive): “We have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially those who trust.” 11Insist on these things and teach them. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but become an example of the faithful—in speech, in conduct, in love, in faithfulness, and in purity. 13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to encouragement, and to teaching. 14Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands of the 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 that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father in heaven.
• 1 Corinthians 16:10Now if Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear among you—for he is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am.
• 2 Timothy 2:7Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
• 1 Corinthians 11:1Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Messiah.
• 1 Thessalonians 1:6You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having accepted the message in much tribulation, with the joy of the Ruach ha-Kodesh.
• 1 Thessalonians 2:10You are witnesses, along with God, of how devoutly and righteously and blamelessly we behaved toward you who believe.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, for we did not behave inappropriately among you.
• 1 Peter 5:3Don’t lord it over those apportioned to you, but become examples to the flock.
• 2 Corinthians 6:4But as God’s servants, we are commending ourselves in every way—in great endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
• 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 virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise—dwell on these things.
• 2 Timothy 2:22Now flee from youthful desires; instead, pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and shalom, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
• James 3:13Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct let him show his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
• 2 Peter 1:5Now for this very reason, making every effort, add to your faith virtue; and to 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