1 Timothy 4:12

Let no man despise your youth; but be an example of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Verse 11 Read Chapter 4 Verse 13

Athanasius the Apostolic

AD 373

But the wise servants of the Lord, who have really put on the new nature created in the likeness of God, listen to what he says. They apply to themselves the commandment given to Timothy, “Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” They keep the Easter feast so properly that even unbelievers, seeing their orderliness, must say, “God is truly with them.”

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Augustine of Hippo

AD 430

However, the life of the speaker has greater weight in determining whether he is obediently heard than any grandness of eloquence. For he who speaks wisely and eloquently but lives wickedly may benefit many students, even though, as it is written, he “may be unprofitable to his own soul.” … And thus they benefit many by preaching what they do not practice; but many more would be benefitted if they were to do what they say. For there are many who seek a defense of their evil lives in those of their superiors and teachers, responding in their hearts or, if it breaks forth so far, with their lips, and saying, “Why do you not do what you preach that I do?” Thus it happens that they do not obediently hear one who does not hear himself, and they condemn the word of God which is preached to them along with the preacher himself. Hence, when the apostle, writing to Timothy, said, “Let no man despise thy youth,” he added the reason why he was not to be despised and said, “but be an example of th... Read More

1 min2/11

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Augustine of Hippo

AD 430

There is no way of resisting the temptation to pride except by instilling the fear and love of God, through frequent pondering of the sacred books. But he who does this must show himself a model of patience and humility by attributing to himself less honor than is offered, neither swallowing all nor refusing all from those who honor him. What praise and honor he accepts he must not receive for himself—for he should refer all to God and despise human things—but for the sake of those whom he could not help if he were to lose dignity by too great selfdepreciation. Applicable to this is the saying, “let no man despise your youth,” recalling that he who said that said in another place, “If I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” .

1 min3/11

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Augustine of Hippo

AD 430

In what way is it said that bad shepherds kill the sheep? By leading bad lives, by setting a bad example. Was it for nothing that a servant of God was told, one prominent among the members of the supreme shepherd, “Offering yourself in all company as an example of good works”; and “Be a model to the faithful”. You see, even a strong sheep often enough, when he notices his pastor leading a bad life, if his eyes wander from the rules of the Lord and are attracted by human considerations, begins to say to himself, “If my pastor lives like that, who am I not to behave as he does?” He has killed a strong sheep. So if he has killed a strong sheep, what must he be doing for the others, seeing that by his bad life he has slaughtered what he hadn’t fattened himself, but has found fat and sturdy? Sermons

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Basil the Great

AD 379

So, then, the supeio guide is to be mindful of the apostle’s pecept, “Be an example to the faithful.” He should make his life a shining model fo the obsevance of evey commandment of the Lod, so that thee may be no excuse fo those unde his guidance to think the Lod’s commands impossible o eadily to be set aside. He should conside fist, then, that which is fist in impotance. He should be, by the love of Chist, so confimed in humility that, even if he is silent, the example of his actions may affod moe effective instuction than any wods. If, indeed, the goal of Chistianity is the imitation of Chist accoding to the measue of his incanation, insofa as is confomable with the vocation of each individual, they who ae entusted with the guidance of many othes ae obliged to animate those still weake than themselves, by thei assistance, to the imitation of Chist. The Long Rules, q...

1 min5/11

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Clement Of Alexandria

AD 215

And again, to him who desires to become a Gnostic, it is written, "But be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in love, in faith, in purity."

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Cyprian of Carthage

AD 258

But if, further, he shall harass and provoke you with his insults, you must exercise against him the power of your dignity, by either deposing him or excommunicating him. For if the Apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, said, "Let no man despise thy youth"

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George Leo Haydock

AD 1849

Let no man despise thy youth. That is, let thy behaviour be such that no one can have occasion to despise thee. He seems then about the age of forty. (Witham)

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Ignatius of Antioch

AD 108

Timothy the Christ-bearer was young, but hear what his teacher writes to him: "Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of the believers in word and in conduct."

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John Chrysostom

AD 407

For what reason then does he write only to Titus and Timothy? It is because he had already committed the care of churches to them, and certain specified places had been assigned to them, but the others were listening in to what he said to them. For so preeminent in virtue was Timothy that his youth was no impediment to his promotion; therefore he writes, “Let no man despise your youth.” … For where there is virtue, all other things are superfluous, and there can be no impediment. Homilies on Timothy, Argument

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John Chrysostom

AD 407

Observe that it becomes a priest to command and to speak authoritatively, and not always to teach. But because, from a common prejudice, youth is apt to be despised, therefore he says, Let no man despise your youth. For a teacher ought not to be exposed to contempt. But if he is not to be despised, what room is there for meekness and moderation? Indeed the contempt that he fails into personally he ought to bear; for teaching is commended by longsuffering. But not so, where others are concerned; for this is not meekness, but coldness. If a man revenge insults, and ill language, and injuries offered to himself, you justly blame him. But where the salvation of others is concerned, command, and interpose with authority. This is not a case for moderation, but for authority, lest the public good suffer. He enjoins one or the other as the case may require. Let no one despise you on account of your youth. For as long as your life is a counterpoise, you will not be despised for your youth, but ... Read More

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