1 Timothy 4:12

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Various Directions and Exhortations1-10. A return to, and emphatic reiteration of, the first charge to Timothy (1 Timothy 1:3-20) against heterodoxy and in favour of true godliness. This form of heterodoxy which he would have to oppose was an asceticism which taught that there was merit in abstaining from meats, and forbade conjugal intercourse as on a lower moral level than celibacy.1. The Spirit speaketh (RV ’saith’)] possibly in some definite prophecy of OT., or of our Lord, or of the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Timothy 4:12

(12) Let no man despise thy youth.—If Timothy desired that his teaching should be listened to with respectful earnest attention, if he hoped to use a holy influence over the flock, let him be very careful that his comparative youth prove no stumbling-block. To Paul the aged, his son in the faith seemed still youthful—at this time Timothy could not have been more than forty years of age. The old master would have his young disciple supply the want of years by a gravity of life; he would have... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Timothy 4:1-16

1 Timothy 4:2 It is not the suffering, and mutilation, and death of man's body that most needs to be diminished it is the mutilation and death of his soul. Not the Red Cross is needed, but the simple Cross of Christ to destroy falsehood and deception. Tolstoy (preface to Sevastopol). References. IV. 3. Expositor (7th Series), vol. vi. p. 177. IV. 6. Ibid. (5th Series), vol. i. p. 337. IV. 7. W. J. Hocking, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xliv. p. 187. A. Maclaren, Expositions of Holy... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Timothy 4:1-16

IV. CONCERNING THE LATTER-DAY APOSTASY CHAPTER 4 1. What the Spirit has predicted (1 Timothy 4:1-5 ) 2. The remedies against apostasy (1 Timothy 4:6-16 ) 1 Timothy 4:1-5 The mystery of godliness having been mentioned, the apostle speaks of Satan’s power in opposition to the faith and truth of God (the mystery of godliness here, and the mystery of iniquity in 2 Thessalonians). “But the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 1 Timothy 4:12

4:12 {14} 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.(14) Now he returns to that exhortation, showing what are the true virtues of a pastor, by which he may come to be reverenced even though he is young, that is, such speech and life as are witnesses of charity, zeal, faith, and purity. But here there is no mention made of the hooked staff, ring, cloak, and such other foolish and childish toys. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 4:1-16

The solemn warning here is in startling contrast to the preciousness of what we have considered as to God manifest in flesh. How cold is the heart of man that he will turn deliberately from a faith so vital and valuable! Not that this verse 1 speaks of a general apostasy, as will be true in the last days, for the apostle speaks only of "some" apostatizing. Yet it is a determined effort of Satan to corrupt the truth of the sacred Word of God and to obscure the glory of the manifestation of God... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:1-16

CONCERNING FALSE TEACHERS In 1 Timothy 4:1-6 these false teachers are foretold and described. At what period are they to appear? Notice that this agrees with Paul’s teachings to the Thessalonians about the apostasy. It also has a bearing upon the current question as to whether the world is growing better or worse. That question is too vast for mortal to answer, and we can only fall back upon what God says about it. In this and in other places, He has told us what to expect as the end of the... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:10-16

(10) For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. (11) These things command and teach. (12) 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. (13) Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (14) Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:12

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) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 4:11-16

11-16 Men's youth will not be despised, if they keep from vanities and follies. Those who teach by their doctrine, must teach by their life. Their discourse must be edifying; their conversation must be holy; they must be examples of love to God and all good men, examples of spiritual-mindedness. Ministers must mind these things as their principal work and business. By this means their profiting will appear in all things, as well as to all persons; this is the way to profit in knowledge and... read more

Group of Brands