1 Timothy 4:12 - Exposition

An ensample to them that believe for an example of the believers , A.V.; manner of fife for conversation , A.V.; love for charity , A.V.; R.T. omits in spirit , A.V. and T.R. Let no man despise thy youth . The construction of the sentence is manifestly that adopted in the A.V. and followed in the R.V. Timothy would certainly be under forty years at this time, and might be not above thirty-five. Either age would be decidedly early for so responsible an office—one in which he would have many elders ( πρεσβύτεροι ) under him ( 1 Timothy 5:1 , 1 Timothy 5:17 , 1 Timothy 5:19 ). An ensample ( τύπος ); properly the original "pattern" or "model" after which anything is made or fashioned; hence a "pattern" or "example." It is used in the same sense as here in Philippians 3:17 ; I These. Philippians 1:7 ; 2 Thessalonians 3:9 ; Titus 2:7 ; 1 Peter 5:3 . Them that believe. The R.V. has apparently so translated τῶν πιστῶν in order to assimilate it with the πιστῶν in 1 Peter 5:10 . But οἱ πιστοί are simply "believers," or "Christians"—"the flock," as St. Peter has it, and had better be so rendered. Timothy is exhorted to make it impossible for any one to question his authority on the score of his youth by being a model of the Christian graces required in believers. In word. Specially in his teaching. The exhortation to Titus ( Titus 2:1 , Titus 2:7 , etc.) is very similar, "Speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine. In all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine showing uncorrupt-ness, gravity, sound speech ( λόγον ὑγιῆ )" etc. (comp. too 1 Timothy 5:17 ; 2 Timothy 1:13 ). Manner of life ( ἀναστροφῇ ; see 1 Timothy 3:15 , note). Purity ( ἁγνείᾳ ); elsewhere in the New Testament only in 1 Timothy 5:2 , where it has the same special sense (compare ἀγνός , 2 Corinthians 11:2 ; 1 Timothy 5:22 ; Titus 2:5 ; 1 Peter 3:2 ).