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.
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.
- BSB Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, 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 all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
- 2 Tim 2:22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- 2 Tim 2:15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
- 1 Pet 5:3Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
- 2 Pet 1:5–8And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
- 1 Cor 11:1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
- 1 Th 1:6And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
- 2 Tim 2:7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
- Titus 2:15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.
- Matt 18:10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
- Jas 3:17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
- Jas 3:13Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
- Phil 4:8Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
- 1 Cor 16:10–11Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
- 1 Th 2:10Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
- 2 Cor 6:4–17But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
- 2 Th 3:7–9For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
- 1 Tim 1:14And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.