1 Timothy 4:11-16
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 laying on of the
hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly
to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine;
continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both
save thyself, and them that hear thee.
THE ONLY WAY TO SILENCE CRITICISM
1 Timothy 4:11–16
A paraphrase of the section
of verse:
Make it your business to hand on and to teach these
commandments. Do not give anyone a chance to despise
you because you are young; but in your words and in
your conduct, in love, in loyalty and in purity,
show yourself an example of what believing people
should be. Until I come, devote your attention
to the public reading of the Scriptures, to
exhortation and to teaching. Do not neglect the
special gift which was given to you, when the voices
of the prophets picked you out for the charge which
has been given to you, when the body of the elders
laid their hands upon you. Think about these things;
find your whole life in them, that your progress may
be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to your
teaching; stick to them; for if you do, you will
save yourself and those who hear you.
ONE of the difficulties Timothy had to overcome
concerned his age. We are not to think of him as a
mere youth. After all, it was fifteen years since he
had first become Paul’s helper. The word used for
youth (neote¯s) can in Greek describe anyone of
military age, that is up to the age of forty. But
the Church generally liked its office-bearers to be
people of maturity. The Apostolic Canons laid it
down that a man was not to become a bishop until he
was over fifty, for by then ‘he will be past
youthful disorders’. Timothy was young in comparison
with Paul, and there would be many who would watch
him with a critical eye. When the British politician
the elder William Pitt was making a speech in the
House of Commons at the age of thirty-three, he
said: ‘The atrocious crime of being a young man . .
. I will neither attempt to palliate (păl'ē-āt'--to
make seem less serious) or deny.’ The
Church has always regarded youth with a certain
suspicion, and under that suspicion Timothy
inevitably fell.
The advice given to Timothy is the hardest of all to
follow, and yet it was the only possible advice. It
was that he must silence criticism by conduct. Plato
was once falsely accused of dishonorable conduct.
‘Well,’ he said, ‘we must live in such a way that
all men will see that the charge is false.’ Verbal
defenses may not silence criticism; conduct will.
What then were to be the characteristics of
Timothy’s conduct?
(1) First, there was to be love. Agape, the Greek
word for the greatest of the Christian virtues, is
largely untranslatable. Its real meaning is
unconquerable benevolence. If we have agape, no
matter what other people do to us or say about us,
we will seek nothing but their good. We will never
be bitter, never resentful, never vengeful; we will
never allow ourselves to hate; we will never refuse
to forgive. Clearly, this is the kind of love which
requires the whole of our nature and strength of
character to achieve. Ordinarily, love is something
which we cannot help. Love of our nearest and
dearest is an instinctive thing. The love between
the sexes is an experience which comes naturally.
Ordinarily, love comes from the heart; but clearly
this Christian love comes from the will. It is that
conquest of self whereby we develop an unconquerable
caring for other people. So, the first
authenticating (ô-thĕn'tĭ-kāt')
mark of Christian leaders is that they care for
others, no matter what others do to them. That is
something which any Christian leader quick to take
offence and prone to bear grudges should constantly
bear in mind.
(2) Second, there was to be loyalty. Loyalty is an
unconquerable faithfulness to Christ, no matter what
it may cost. It is not difficult to be a good
soldier when things are going well. But the really
valuable soldier is the one who can fight well with
a weary body and an empty stomach, when the
situation seems hopeless and the campaign seems
pointless and beyond understanding. The second
authenticating mark of Christian leaders is a
loyalty to Christ which defies circumstances.
(3) Third, there was to be purity. Purity is
unconquerable allegiance to the standards of Christ.
When Pliny was reporting back to Trajan about the
Christians in Bithynia, where he was governor, he
wrote: ‘They are accustomed to bind themselves by an
oath to commit neither theft, nor robbery, nor
adultery; never to break their word; never to deny a
pledge that has been made when summoned to answer
for it.’--end quote.
The Christian pledge is to a life of purity.
Christians ought to have a standard of honour and
honesty, of self-control and chastity, of discipline
and consideration, far above the standards of the
world. The simple fact is that the world will never
have any use for Christianity unless it can prove
that it produces the best men and women. The third
authenticating mark of Christian leaders is a life
lived according to the standards of Jesus Christ.
~Barclay Commentary
This verse is in 8 parts:
1]
Let no man despise thy youth;
2]
but be thou an example of the believers,
3]
example of the believers in word
4]
example of the believers in conversation
5]
example of the believers in charity
6]
example of the believers in spirit
7]
example of the believers in faith
8]
example of the believers in purity.
Let us see what the commentaries have to say.
Let no man despise thy youth
- That is, do not act in such a manner that
any shall despise you on account of your youth. Act
as becomes a minister of the gospel in all things,
and in such a way that people will respect you as
such, though you are young. It is clear from this
that Timothy was then a young man, but his exact age
there is no means of determining. It is implied
here:
(1) that there was danger that, by the levity and
indiscretion to which youth are so much exposed, the
ministry might be regarded with contempt; and,
(2) that it was possible that his deportment should
be so grave, serious, and every way appropriate,
that the ministry would not be blamed, but honored.
The “way” in which Timothy was to live so that the
ministry would not be despised on account of his
youth, the apostle proceeds immediately to specify.
Note: As we have
been discussing throughout this letter to Timothy
and specifically to personal instructions to him,
there is a message within each admonition to him for
us. This is self evident by the fact that God
made it a part of His Word. We are not just
witnesses third parties talking to each other.
We are not just listening to Paul talk to Timothy.
We are listening to what God has to say to us.
The key message in this first phrase of the verse
is, "deportment" or, as the dictionary states it,
"manner of personal conduct or behavior.
Paul's admonition to Timothy is for him to allow his
work in the ministry to speak for him. In
other words, Timothy will, from day-to-day, be
constantly invoking the power of the Holy Spirit in
the form of Godly principles and therefore being a
light. This is clearly an admonition to you
and me. Our deportment or conduct is to be
Christ-centered. Our behavior is to be that of
giving spiritual light---being a light.
But be thou an example of the
believers - One of the constant duties of a
minister of the gospel, no matter what his age. A
minister should so live, that if all his people
should closely follow his example, their salvation
would be secure, and they would make the highest
possible attainments in piety. On the meaning of the
word rendered “example,” see the notes on
Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:7.
Note: This is a
very interesting phrase when it comes to the power
of and benefits of the congregation. If one is
blessed with a congregation where several members
are being lights and examples of Christ-centered
conduct and behavior we can emulate and from which
we can learn, we cannot help but take spiritual
strides. The meaning of the phrase is saying
that if Timothy is being a good example the
salvation of the members will be more secure and
that they can, with more ease, attain to the highest
levels of piety or religion. Imagine being in
a congregation where there are many examples of
Godly light as they go from "glory to glory" [2
Corinthians 3:18]. Let us look now to the two
verses mentioned in this part of the commentary.
We are about to see that not all congregations
and/or members in the Church of God are going to be
such good examples of light.
Quoted verses:
Philippians 3:17
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them
which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
Look at the commentary on this verse:
Brethren, be
followers together of me - That is,
live as I do. A minister of the gospel, a
parent, or a Christian of any age or
condition, ought so to live that he can
refer to his own example, and exhort others
to imitate the course of life which he had
led. Paul could do this without ostentation
or impropriety. They knew that he lived so
as to be a proper example for others; and he
knew that they would feel that his life had
been such that there would be no impropriety
in his referring to it in this manner. But,
alas, how few are there who can safely
imitate Paul in this!
And mark them which
walk so, as ye have us for an ensample
- There were those in the church who
endeavored to live as he had done,
renouncing all confidence in the flesh, and
aiming to win the prize. There were others,
it would seem, who were actuated by
different views; see Philippians 3:18. There
are usually two kinds of professing
Christians in every church - those who
imitate the Saviour, and those who are
worldly and vain. The exhortation here is,
to “mark” - that is, to observe with a view
to imitate - those who lived as the apostles
did. We should set before our minds the best
examples, and endeavor to imitate the most
holy people. A worldly and fashionable
professor of religion is a very bad example
to follow; and especially young Christians
should set before their minds for imitation,
and associate with, the purest and most
spiritual members of the church. Our
religion takes its form and complexion much
from those with whom we associate; and he
will usually be the most holy man who
associates with the most holy companions.
~Barnes Notes
I want to read this verse again in context:
Philippians 3:14-21
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect,
be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be
otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this
unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already
attained, let us walk by the same rule, let
us mind the same thing.
17 Brethren, be followers together of me,
and mark them which walk so as ye have us
for an ensample.
18 (For many walk,
of whom I have told you often, and now tell
you even weeping, that they are the enemies
of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is
their belly, and whose glory is in their
shame, who mind earthly things.)
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from
whence also we look for the Saviour, the
Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it
may be fashioned like unto his glorious
body, according to the working whereby he is
able even to subdue all things unto himself.
~[emphasis mine] |
Now the other verse from the commentary on our
key verse for this lesson...verse 12.
1 Thessalonians 1:7
So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in
Macedonia and Achaia.
In word - In “speech,”
that is, your manner of conversation. This does not
refer to his “public teaching” - in which he could
not probably be an “example” to them - but to his
usual and familiar conversation.
In conversation - In
general deportment. See this word explained in
Philippians 1:27.
Quoted verse:
Philippians 1:27
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the
gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you,
or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that
ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving
together for the faith of the gospel;
Note: Do
you see the importance here of both the individual
member and the greater congregation? Notice
the commentary here on the phrase "As it becometh
the gospel of Christ." The first two phrases
are stating that our conduct should reflect the Word
of God.
As it becometh the
gospel of Christ -
(1) The rules of the gospel are to be
applied to all our conduct - to our
conversation, business transactions, modes
of dress, style of living, entertainments,
etc. There is nothing which we do, or say,
or purpose, that is to be excepted from
those rules.
(2) there is a way of living which is
appropriate to the gospel, or which is such
as the gospel requires. There is something
which the gospel would secure as its proper
fruits in all our conduct, and by which our
lives should be regulated. It would
distinguish us from the frivolous, and from
those who seek honor and wealth as their
supreme object. If all Christians were under
the influence of the gospel, there would be
something in their dress, temper,
conversation, and aims, which would
distinguish them from others; The gospel is
not a thing of nothing; nor is it intended
that it should exert no influence on its
friends.
(3) it is very important that Christians
should frame their lives by the rules of the
gospel, and, to this end, should study them
and know what they are. This is important:
(a) because they are the best and wisest of
all rules;
(b) because it is only in this way that
Christians can do good;
(c) because they have solemnly covenanted
with the Lord to take his laws as their
guide;
(d) because it is only in this way that they
can enjoy religion; and,
(e) because it is only by this that they can
have peace on a dying bed.
If people live as “becometh the gospel,”
they live well. Their lives are honest and
honorable; they are people of truth and
uprightness; they will have no sources of
regret when they die, and they will not give
occasion to their friends to hang their
heads with shame in the remembrance of them.
No man on a dying bed ever yet regretted
that he had framed his life by the rules of
the gospel, or felt that his conduct had
been conformed too much to it.
~Barnes Notes
|
In charity - Love to
the brethren, and to all; see 1 Corinthians 13.
In spirit - In the
government of your passions, and in a mild, meek,
forgiving disposition.
In faith - At all
times, and in all trials show to believers by your
example, how they ought to maintain unshaken
confidence in God.
In purity - In
chasteness of life; see 1 Timothy 5:2. There should
be nothing in your contact with the other sex that
would give rise to scandal. The papists, with great
impropriety, understand this as enjoining celibacy -
as if there could be no “purity” in that holy
relation which God appointed in Eden, and which he
has declared to “be honorable in all” Hebrews 13:4,
and which he has made so essential to the wellbeing
of mankind. If the apostle had wished to produce the
highest possible degree of corruption in the church,
he would have enjoined the celibacy of the clergy
and the celibacy of an indefinite number of nuns and
monks. There are no other institutions on the earth
which have done so much to corrupt the chastity of
the race, as those which have grown out of the
doctrine that celibacy is more honorable than
marriage.
Note: The
churches that enforce celibacy for some of its
ministers are missing the meaning of the living
metaphors that marriage, family and sexual
intercourse are.
Quoted verses:
1 Timothy 5:2
The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters,
with all purity.
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed
undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will
judge. ~ Barnes Notes
So let us recap what we have learned today.
1] Have Christ-centered conduct and conversation in
your lives.
2] Know that your conduct is an example which can
help others to attain the hightest levels of piety.
3] Follow Paul's example and others who demonstrate
Christ-centered conduct.
4] When you see Christ-centered examples of
conversation and conduct, emulate them and learn
from them.
5] Do not look for behaviors missing this mark but
when you do, avoid them. Put those out of your mind.
6] Constantly improve your conversations and words.
7] Constantly improve your conduct. Be a
Christ-centered example for the brethren.
8] Understanding that the Word of God states that
many will go contrary to this lesson and this verse.
9] Be a Christ-centered example for the brethren.
This is accomplished by full immersion into the Word
of God.
10] Invoke mildness, meekness and forgiveness.
11] Maintain unshaken confidence in God when you are
beset with a trial.
12] Do things in purity. Be a continual student of
and invoker of purity.
These twelve things and so much more we have learned
in this lesson on 1 Timothy 4:12 |