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.
What does 1 Timothy 4:12 mean?
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.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside 1 Timothy 4:11-12 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on 1 Timothy 4:12
Let 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.
Key words
- despise
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Let no man despise thy youth,.
- youth
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Let no man despise thy youth,.
Context in 1 Timothy 4
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1 Timothy 4 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as qualifications for leaders. First Timothy gives pastoral instruction on false teaching, public worship, church leadership, care, and godly conduct. Read this chapter with the wider themes of church order, sound doctrine, and prayer in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
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