1Timothy 4:12-13 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. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
‘Example’ [Greek: tupos] example (Php. 3:17; 1Cor. 10:6, 11; 1Thess. 1:7; 2Thess. 3:9; 1Tim. 4:12; 1Pet. 5:3); pattern (Tit. 2:7; Heb. 8:5); manner (Acts 23:25); fashion (Acts 7:44); form (Rom. 6:17); figure (Acts 7:43; Rom. 5:14); and print (John 20:25).
‘In word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.’ Six things in which to be an example: In word – teach sound doctrine; nothing but the Word of God that saves the soul, not made up fables and feel-good sermons (Rom. 1:16; 10:17; 2Tim. 3:16; Jas. 1:18; 1Pet. 1:23). In conversation. [Greek: anastrophe] the whole conduct of life in domestic and public relations; behaviour. Always translated “conversation” (4:12; Gal. 1:13; Eph. 4:22; Heb. 13:7; Jas. 3:13; 1Pet. 1:15, 18; 2:12; 3:1, 2, 16; 2Pet. 2:7; 3:11). In charity. [Greek: agape] godly love containing no selfishness. In Spirit. If this refers to the Holy Spirit it means with the use of spiritual gifts and in yieldedness to the Spirit in all of life and conduct (1Cor. 12:1-31; Gal. 5:22-23). If it refers to the human spirit it means the manner and disposition in which all things are done. In faith. [Greek: pistis] is often used in the sense of faithfulness. In purity. [Greek: hagneia] pure in motive and thoughts.
‘Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.’ Nine commands to Timothy: Give attendance to reading (4:13) – READ GOD’S WORD and stop listening to others’ opinions on it!!! Give attendance to exhortation. Give attendance to doctrine. Neglect not your spiritual gift (4:14). Meditate upon these things (4:15). Give self wholly to them. Take heed to yourself (4:16). Take heed to your doctrine. Continue in your doctrine.
‘Exhortation’ [Greek: paraklesis] translated “intreaty” (2Cor. 8:4); “comfort” (Acts 9:31; Rom. 15:4; 2Cor. 1:3-4; 7:4, 13); “exhortation” (Acts 13:15; Rom. 12:8; 1Cor. 14:3; 2Cor. 8:17; 1Thess. 2:3; 1Tim. 4:13; Heb. 12:5; 13:22); and “consolation” (Luke 2:25; 6:24; Acts 4:36; 15:31; Rom. 15:5; 2Cor. 1:5-7; 7:7; Php. 2:1; 2Thess. 2:16; Phm. 1:7; Heb. 6:18).
‘Doctrine’ [Greek: didaskalia] Translated teaching (Rom. 12:7); learning (Rom. 15:4); and doctrine (Matt. 15:9; Mark 7:7; Eph. 4:14; Col. 2:22; 1Tim. 1:10; 4:1, 6, 13, 16; 5:17; 6:1, 3; 2Tim. 3:10, 16; 4:3; Tit. 1:9; 2:1, 7, 10).
Living the Word 