11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:11–12 (ESV)
When the Lord calls an individual into ministry, they initially may encounter some intentional, or unintentional, condescending attitudes by older saints. Certain persons within the church may endeavor to put the minister in their place, so to speak. They may reason their years of ministry, whether volunteer or paid, and life experiences eclipse any talent, abilities or calling the younger servant of Christ may possess. It can also be the case the young minister may believe they know all the answers to all the questions of life and living; even the questions they do not know.
What is to be the attitude and action a younger servant of Christ is to display to those fellow believers who are older? The Apostle Paul did not leave Timothy, or believers today, wondering what to think and how to act.
Regarding one’s attitude in this situation, Paul wrote, “Let no one despise you for your youth,” The phrase no one (μηδείς; medeis) means nobody and nothing. Let despise (καταφρονείτω; kataphroneito) refers to scorn, and to look down on. Taken together, Paul commanded Timothy to not allow anyone to be condescending to him as their pastor. The reason for such condescension was because of his young age. The words your youth (τῆς νεότητος; tes neotetos) refers to youthfulness.
Timothy may have been younger than most of the believers in the Ephesian church. As an elder and pastor, he was not to allow people to look down on him because of his age. This type of behavior should not happen in the church, but all too often does.
“Elders were highly respected in Greek gymnasia and exercised a ruling function in synagogues and churches, as they had in communities in the Old Testament. Timothy joined Paul before a.d. 50 (Acts 16:1–3). Men entered adulthood around puberty, so Timothy may have been in his mid-teens. Paul is writing in the early sixties, Timothy is at least in his mid-twenties and could well be in his early or mid-thirties; this term for “youth” (KJV) could apply up to the age of forty, although it usually applied especially to someone under twenty-nine. But those who were not elders were often considered inappropriate for leadership positions (cf. 1 Sam 17:33), and many offices even in Judaism became available only at age forty. Most stories about the appointment of young men were made up later to extol prodigies (postbiblical stories about Daniel, Solomon or several rabbis); Timothy’s appointment was thus a rare privilege in his culture.” [1]
While it may have been hard for Timothy to dictate the attitudes of others, he could control his own actions. Therefore, Paul commanded him to set the believers an example. Set (γίνου; ginou) is a present, middle, imperative verb. Timothy was to continuously, personally, and obediently behave with biblical character towards fellow believers. Paul called him to be an example (τύπος; typos). This refers to a model, an archetype for people to see and follow.
The model behavior Paul has in mind involves speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” Speech (λόγῳ; logo) means an individual’s words and the content of their communication. Conduct (ἀναστροφῇ; anastrophe) refers to a way of life and living. Love (ἀγάπῃ; agape) means a self-sacrificial love of the will. Faith (πίστει; pistei) refers to being committed, dependable, trustworthy and honorable. Purity (ἁγνείᾳ; hagneia) means having no moral defect.
“At first Paul’s instruction that Timothy should not let anyone “despise” (kjv) his youth might seem impossible to fulfill since Timothy could not control the attitudes of others. Yet when combined with the latter part of the verse, the thrust of Paul’s instruction becomes clear. Timothy must not be intimidated by his relative youthfulness or what others might think of it. Instead, he was to demonstrate his maturity by living such a godly life that he would become a pattern for other Christians in every area of his life: speech … life (i.e., “behavior or conduct,” anastrophē; cf. “conduct” in 3:15), love … faith, and … purity. The word for “purity” (hagneia, “moral cleanness”) is used only here and in 5:2.” [2]
“Timothy must not permit anyone to despise him because of his youth. He must see to it that he is respected because of his office. But he must attain this end not by “acting big” or bragging about his credentials, but by conducting himself as a man of sage counsel and consecrated, practical wisdom. Respect for the man will mean respect for his office.”[3]
“Hence, Paul continues, but become the believers’ model in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. In an altogether natural and organic manner he must win the respect of all the believers. Note that Paul does not really say that Timothy should become a model for the believers, that is, for them to follow (see 1 Thess. 1:7; 2 Thess. 3:9), but that ever increasingly he should become a model of what the believers are; and this in five respects:
a. in speech, that is, in personal conversation (for preaching see the next verse).
b. in conduct, that is, in customs, habits, ways of dealing with people, etc.
c. in love, that is, in deep personal attachment to his brothers and in genuine concern for his neighbors (including even his enemies), always seeking to promote the welfare of all.
d. in faith, that is, in the exercise of that gift of God which is the root from which love springs (note: love here probably indicates the horizontal relationship; faith, the vertical).
e. in purity (see also 1 Tim. 5:2), that is, in complete conformity, both in thought and act, with God’s moral law.[4]
If you have a younger minister on the staff of your local church, treat them with the respect you would appreciate people extending to you; regardless of age. May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 1 Ti 4:12.
[2] A. Duane Litfin, “1 Timothy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 741.
[3] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 157.
[4] Ibid.,157–158.
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