1Ti 4:12, 2Ti 2:22, Tit 2:4, 6 | JFB | STEP | 12. Let no man despise thy youth —Act so as to be respected in spite of thy youth ( ); compare "youthful" as to Timothy ( ). He was but a mere youth when he joined Paul ( ). Eleven years had elapsed since then to the time subsequent to Paul's first imprisonment. He was, therefore, still young; especially in comparison with Paul, whose place he was filling; also in relation to elderly presbyters whom he should "entreat as a father" ( ), and generally in respect to his duties in rebuking, exhorting, and ordaining ( ), which ordinarily accord best with an elderly person ( ). be thou an example — Greek, " become a pattern " ( ); the true way of making men not to despise (slight, or disregard) thy youth. in word —in all that thou sayest in public and private. conversation —that is, "behavior" the Old English sense of the word. in charity . . . faith —the two cardinal principles of the Christian ( ). The oldest manuscripts omit, "in spirit." in purity —simplicity of holy motive followed out in consistency of holy action [ALFORD ] ( ).

1 Timothy 4:12

12. Let no man despise thy youth—Act so as to be respected in spite of thy youth (1Co 16:11; Tit 2:15); compare "youthful" as to Timothy (2Ti 2:22). He was but a mere youth when he joined Paul (Ac 16:1-3). Eleven years had elapsed since then to the time subsequent to Paul's first imprisonment. He was, therefore, still young; especially in comparison with Paul, whose place he was filling; also in relation to elderly presbyters whom he should "entreat as a father" (1Ti 5:1), and generally in respect to his duties in rebuking, exhorting, and ordaining (1Ti 3:1), which ordinarily accord best with an elderly person (1Ti 5:19).

be thou an example—Greek, "become a pattern" (Tit 2:7); the true way of making men not to despise (slight, or disregard) thy youth.

in word—in all that thou sayest in public and private.

conversation—that is, "behavior" the Old English sense of the word.

in charity . . . faith—the two cardinal principles of the Christian (Ga 5:6). The oldest manuscripts omit, "in spirit."

in purity—simplicity of holy motive followed out in consistency of holy action [ALFORD] (1Ti 5:22; 2Co 6:6; Jas 3:17; 4:8; 1Pe 1:22).

2 Timothy 2:22

22. Flee—There are many lusts from which our greatest safety is in flight (Ge 39:12). Avoid occasions of sin. From the abstemious character of Timothy (1Ti 5:23) it is likely that not animal indulgences, but the impetuosity, rash self-confidence, hastiness, strife, and vainglory of young men (1Jo 2:14-16), are what he is here warned against: though the Spirit probably intended the warning to include both in its application to the Church in general.

also—Greek, "But"; in contrast to "every good work," 2Ti 2:21.

youthful—Timothy was a youth (1Ti 4:12).

righteousness—the opposite of "iniquity," that is, unrighteousness (2Ti 2:19; compare 1Ti 6:11).

peace, with, &c.—rather, put no comma, "peace with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (1Ti 1:5; Eph 6:5; Col 3:22). We are to love all men, but it is not possible to be at peace with all men, for this needs community of purpose and opinion; they alone who call on the Lord sincerely (as contrasted with the false teachers who had only the form of godliness, 2Ti 3:5, 8; Tit 1:15, 16) have this community [THEODORET]. (Ro 12:18).

Titus 2:4

4. to be sober—Greek, "self-restrained," "discreet"; the same Greek as in Tit 2:2, "temperate." (But see on Tit 2:2; compare Note, 2Ti 1:7). ALFORD therefore translates, "That they school (admonish in their duty) the young women to be lovers of their husbands," &c. (the foundation of all domestic happiness). It was judicious that Titus, a young man, should admonish the young women, not directly, but through the older women.

Titus 2:6

6. Young—Greek, "The younger men."

sober-minded—self-restrained [ALFORD]. "Nothing is so hard at this age as to overcome pleasures and follies" [CHRYSOSTOM].