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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadEzekiel, Jonah, and Pastoral Epistles by Patrick Fairbairn - 1 Timothy 4:12 - 4:12
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Ver. 12. Let no one despise thy youth. This is, doubtless, the proper rendering, although the position of the pronoun is somewhat peculiar, óïõ ôῆò íåüôçôïò êáôáöñïíåßôù ; but it again occurs in 1Ti_4:15, where also the governing substantive follows. The sense plainly is, “Let no one despise thee on account of thy youth,” as Chrysostom expressly puts it. The youth of Timothy, as mentioned in the Introduction, must be understood relatively: though a person in the full vigour of manhood, he still was young for such a charge as had been devolved on him—much younger, in all probability, than some on whom he had to exercise disciplinary treatment; and if the apostle himself, who was not only considerably older than Timothy, but invested also with higher official dignity, found it difficult at times to maintain his authority in the face of the aspiring and disputatious spirits that sought to have pre-eminence in the church, we can easily understand how persons of that description would be ready to take advantage of Timothy’s comparative youth. The natural’ disposition of Timothy, also, formed rather for helping and obeying than commanding, could scarcely fail to aggravate the danger; so that against this, as a weak point in his position, he was fitly called by the apostle to guard. Respect for the sacred interests entrusted to him, required that he should be manly and firm.
But become thou a pattern of the believers in word, in behaviour, in love, (The å ̓ í ðíåõ ́ ìáôé after this in t he received text is wanting in the best authorities.) in faith, in purity. A sort of counteractive to the danger indicated in the preceding clause; as much as to say. If thou wouldst properly retain thy place, and overcome the disadvantage connected with thy youth, take heed that thou be such an exemplar of Christian excellence and worth, that all true believers will be disposed to esteem and love thee. The specific points, though not mentioned in any logical order, comprise all the leading characteristics that should distinguish a Christian minister: in word,—careful of what he might say, whether in the assemblies of the faithful or in his private intercourse with individuals,—in behaviour equally careful as to what he might do in the general course and tenor of his life; in love, in faith,—showing that, with the form, he also knew and exercised the two grand motive powers of a Christian life; finally, in purity ( ἁãíåßᾳ ),—such in his bearing toward the female portion of society, as to prevent even the suspicion from entering that he was otherwise than scrupulously observant of the rules of chastity. It is of incalculable importance for the youthful minister that he establish for himself a character in these respects; a palpable failure in any one of them will be fatal to his success.