1 Timothy 4:12 - Explained

"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."

This is a very commonly quoted phrase in the Bible. However, I believe it is usually quoted and taken out of the context in which Paul states it to Timothy. The way people usually look at this verse is — hey, do not let anybody look down on you simply because you are young or less experienced. Simply being young does not mean that you are incorrect. Now, that is obviously true, and I think all of us have dealt with people that have looked down on us because of our age or experience.

However, that is not really the context of what Paul is stating to Timothy. What Paul is basically stating is that since Timothy is a young man, he needs to show maturity and not give ammunition to anyone who would look down on him. Notice what follows the phrase — "but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." What Paul is actually stating to Timothy is that since he is a young person, he needs above all others to have maturity in his life and be an example, because you do not want to give ammunition to anyone to attack you.

Obviously all of us should seek to be blameless, and if you are a spiritual leader it is a requirement to be blameless and spotless. But if you are younger, people are naturally going to look down on you and assume that you are immature. That means above other people you need to show maturity to prove yourself, because people are already going to despise your youth. They are already looking for something to chip away at you for. So do not give them any ammunition.

When the Bible says let no man despise thy youth, what Paul is actually stating to Timothy is this — lead your life by example and show maturity, so that you do not give ammunition to the enemy to look down on you.

Pastor Matthew Stucky