Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Parallel translations
- WEB Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.
- 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.
- 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.
- NASB 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.
- NLT Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Timothy must let no one despise his youth but set an example in word and life. It shows that godly conduct, not age, establishes a leader's credibility.
Overview
Paul encourages the younger Timothy to earn respect through exemplary living. He is to model purity in speech, conduct, love, faith, and integrity. Genuine godliness silences objections and commends the gospel he preaches.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Titus 2:7In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,
- 2 Tim 2:22Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- 2 Tim 2:15Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth.
- 1 Pet 5:3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
- 2 Pet 1:5–8For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
- 1 Cor 11:1You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
- 1 Th 1:6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering.
- 2 Tim 2:7Consider what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all things.
- Titus 2:15Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
- Matt 18:10See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.
- Jas 3:17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- Jas 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
- Phil 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
- 1 Cor 16:10–11If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.
- 1 Th 2:10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.
- 2 Cor 6:4–17Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
- 2 Th 3:7–9For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you,
- 1 Tim 1:14And the grace of our Lord overflowed to me, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
There is 'one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all' — the mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh.
How 1 Timothy 4:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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