4:12 How are we to understand what Paul says here?
4:12 How are we to understand what Paul says here?
It is obvious from Paul's admonition to Timothy here to let no one despise his youth, that Timothy was a comparatively young man in contrast to the older members of the assembly. The word despise here means to hold in contempt.
Paul is telling Timothy in effect to assert the dignity of his office and not let anyone push him around because of his youth. He had to be an example to the church in his speech (CP Col 4:6); conduct (CP 1Pe 1:15, 2:12, 3:16); self-sacrificial love (CP Jn 15:13; Jas 2:14-17); spirit (CP Ga 5:16-17, 22-25); faithfulness of commitment (CP 1Cor 4:2; Eph 6:21; Col 1:7); sexual purity (CP 1Ti 3:2).
If Timothy lived by these rules, his youth would no longer be the subject of contempt. (See also comments on 1Ti 1:18, 5:23, 6:14, 6:20, 2Ti 1:7).
4:14 See comments on 1Ti 1:18