1 Timothy 4:11-12 11Command and teach these things. 12Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but be an example to believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
Timothy must command and teach the thing that Paul has written and taught him over the years. Paul urges this with a strong word of authority command (parangelle). Teach is what Timothy must do in Ephesus. His teaching of the truth should counter and correct the false teaching of the opponents and equip the church for effective ministry.
Timothy can teach both with his words and with his lifestyle. Paul has already giving the topic of teaching in 3:16. Verse 12 focuses upon the unspoken character qualities Timothy should have. This verse implies that Timothy was young, which created an extra challenge for him because people might look down on him in the sense of contempt or treating as inferior or unimportant. In that culture, age was a factor for respect, with older people having higher respect. But in God’s kingdom, age is only a minor factor and does not indicate spiritual maturity. People older in years can still be babies in their faith. There is no indicator of Timothy’s age. Young in that time was considered 30 or less. When Paul met and recruited Timothy in Acts 16, the text implies that Timothy was still part of his family’s household. By the point of time when 1 Timothy was written, Timothy had already been with Paul for some time. He was young enough that his age could still be a factor in gaining the respect he would need to deal with the difficult situation in the church. He would have to earn respect by his character and not by his age or social standing.
Paul then lists five qualities Timothy could be an example for the b believers in Ephesus. First, Timothy must be a model in his communication (logō), especially his spoken word. Obviously, he would need to speak the truth, but the truth can be communicated in many forms, such as in daily conversations and small talk, and not just formal teaching or preaching situations. Second, his way of life (anastrophē) should reflect the truth of the gospel. Word and deed, speech and lifestyle should match (James 2:14-26).
Third, love (agapē) should be the fundamental characteristic of all believers. One of the best ways to learn about love is to see it in other people. The Ephesians could learn to love by watching Timothy’s loving speech and lifestyle. Fourth, faith (pistie) shows trust and commitment, even in difficult situations. Timothy’s faith would be tested in Ephesus. How he responded to the challenges would demonstrate the strength of his faith.
Last, purity (hagneia) can mean moral chastity. This quality would be a strong witness to the power of the gospel in a culture saturated with immorality and moral compromise. In a few verses, Paul will urge Timothy to behave this way to the young women in the church (5:2). If Timothy’s life evidenced these qualities, no one could say anything bad about him.
A godly character is a powerful witness and influence. The youth of the church can have a powerful influence on people of all ages. Many spiritual movements have been started and led by young people. Young leaders can earn the respect of older believers by modeling these five character qualities and can be used by God to strengthen the mission of the church.
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