BEING AN Example

1 Timothy 4:12

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 4

12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.

Context:

Paul is writing to Timothy and

Who is Timothy?

The Bible Guide Introduction

Paul first met Timothy when he visited Lystra on his first missionary journey. Timothy was a young man from a mixed background: his mother was a believing Jew and his father a pagan Greek. Timothy became a Christian and, a few years later, joined Paul on his second missionary journey.

Its found in Acts 14 & Acts 16

Reading the whole scripture out loud in the pulpit.

Theres no verses and chapter

Chapter 1: PERSONAL CHALLENGES, HOW HE SHOULD CONDUCT HIMSELF AS A LEADER, IN A SERVANT OF GODS PEOPLE.

Chapter 2-3: Instructions on how to conduct a service when they get together. Things to do and not to do.

And Now in Chapter 4

Paul is speaking personally to Timothy for the things he has to prioritize and the things that he has to keep in mind on his own life.

Paul said to Timothy to point out these truths to others (1 Timothy 4:6) and discipline himself for godliness (1 Timothy 4:7). He is especially commanded to set an example for the believers (1 Timothy 4:12), persist in sound teaching (1 Timothy 4:13), and fulfill his unique spiritual calling (1 Timothy 4:14).

Paul also instructs Timothy to be totally focused on this work (1 Timothy 4:15) in order to help both himself and the people to whom he is ministering (1 Timothy 4:16).

Now I believe that they would circulate these letters from Paul around the early churches. They would read them pieces at a time and meditate on His word.

The Bible Guide Introduction

Paul writes to Timothy and Titus to offer them advice. These false teachers can do great damage to the church, because they distort the gospel. Christians may be misled into legalism or licence—either finding themselves back in bondage to the law, or thinking they are free to do whatever they like. Both extremes misunderstand the gospel. Christ came that we should be free from the guilt and penalty of sin—and free also to do right.

Paul was in Rome when He wrote this letter, he was in prison or house arrest in Rome, In Acts 28:11

Verse 12

Let =Present/Imperative

no one = older men and women, friends, anyone, parents, etc.

look down on your

youthfulness = like Timothy 17-24 years old

but rather in =

speech, word, language, or in your knowledge and understanding of the Word. Be a man of the Word.

Logos,

implies that our speech should always be honest and loving, “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15)

fifty language never becomes a child of God.

God said, let no filty communication proceed out of your mouth.

Testimony of my family using filty language.

Be an example also in the WORD gaining knowledge and understanding of the Word of God.

Paul said,

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Timothy be an example....

2. conduct, conversation.

Conversation = means in your whole demeanor chuck smith said. Manner in which you live. In your behavior in your whole lifestyle.

EVEN PAUL SAID, BE YE FOLLOWERS AFTER ME EVEN AS I FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST.

BE AN EXAMPLE OF THE BELIEVERS. MY LIFE SHOULD SET AN EXAMPLE.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Four: How to Be a Man of God (1 Timothy 4)

“In conduct” (the KJV’s “conversation” means “walk,” not “talk”) suggests that our lives are to be controlled by the Word of God. We must not be like the hypocrites Paul described to Titus (Titus 1:16): “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him.”

3. love, Greek = charity, generosity and giving to one who is in need out of a heart and motivated by love.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Four: How to Be a Man of God (1 Timothy 4)

points to the motivation of our lives. We do not obey God to be applauded by men (Matt. 6:1ff), but because we love God and love God’s people.

4. Faith, Greek = faith or trust in the promises of God, in the Word of God, in God Himself. Trust in God.

Another translation iS Faith in God. BE Trustworthiness, be faithful, be true in your Word. like Jesus said, Let your yes be yes and no to no. Be an example to the believers of faithfulness.. Faith in God and the Word of God can produce fruit.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Four: How to Be a Man of God (1 Timothy 4)

“In faith” implies that we trust God and are faithful to Him. Faith and love often go together (1 Tim. 1:14; 2:15; 6:11; 2 Tim. 1:13; 2:22). Faith always leads to faithfulness.

5.Purity, Remember, Timothy was a young man. He was not married. He lived in an extremely pagan society.

Timothy live a life that is beyond reproach. life of holiness. Be an example in purity.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Four: How to Be a Man of God (1 Timothy 4)

“In purity” is important as we live in this present evil world. Ephesus was a center for sexual impurity, and the young man Timothy was faced with temptations. He must have a chaste relationship to the women in the church (1 Tim. 5:2) and keep himself pure in mind, heart, and body.

show yourself an example (typos, pattern, prototype, image)

of those who believe." We Christians are to be an example of the believers to the world and to the believers.

Faith, love, purity.