Let No One Despise Your Youth
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“Let No One Despise Your Youth”
1 Timothy 4:12-16
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Let no one despise “youth”.
Let no one despise “youth”.
Any youth. Matt 18:20; 19:20; Mk. 10:20; Lk. 18:21; Acts 26:4-6
“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.
From neos, "new”. This word occurs in:
The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”
And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”
“My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.
Essentially, Paul tells us, “do not use youth as an excuse to avoid listening to someone.”
Flee from the many errors of youth! 2 Tim. 2:15-26; 1 Pet. 5:5
2 Timothy 2:15-26 Timothy needed to keep himself from what his youth might tempt him into.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
1 Peter 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
We will often find any excuse to avoid the truth. Acts 26:27-29; 24:25-27
“You can’t teach me anything, old man...” “That youngster doesn’t know what he’s talking about”, etc.
King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.
But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
Learn not to let others “despise your youth” 1 Sam. 17:28, 33, 38-39; 2 Sam. 12:14; 1 Tim. 3:7; 1 Pet. 4:15
Take away every opportunity for the wicked to reject the message of God.
Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”
And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”
So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.
However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.”
Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.
If someone rejects the truth because “that preacher coughs too much”, or “I didn’t like the color of their shirt”, etc., they are rejecting the truth for a sad, shallow reason. Age, social status, wealth, are all removed in our estimations of one another. We see each other as souls for whom Christ died.
That said, may we remove all reasons to doubt from those who are reasonable!
Embrace the “youth” or “NEWNESS” of being a Christian. 1 Cor. 5:7; Col. 3:10
Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.
and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
Be an EXAMPLE.
Be an EXAMPLE.
Godly examples are powerful.1 Thess. 2:10; 2 Thess. 3:7-9; Tit. 2:7; 1 Pet. 5:3
You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;
For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;
In WORD. 2 Cor. 6:4-17; 1 Tim. 4:12-16
If we are not examples in WORD, we are not examples OF the word.
But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”
Therefore
“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
In CONDUCT. Phil. 1:27; Heb. 13:5; Jas. 3:13; 1 Pet. 1:15; 3:16; 2 Pet. 3:11
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
In LOVE. John 17:26; 2 Thess. 1:3; Heb. 6:10
And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
In SPIRIT. Eph. 5:17-21; Jas. 3:17
Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
In FAITH. Rom. 1:8; Eph. 1:15; Col. 1:4; 2:5; 1 Thess. 3:7; 2 Thess. 1:3
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints;
For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
In PURITY. 2 Pet. 1:5-8
Not just PHYSICAL purity, but SPIRITUAL purity.
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.