1 Timothy 4: Set an Example

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” -1 Timothy 4:12

Young leaders need encouragement. They face an uphill battle, both for respect and for integrity. Paul addresses both in a single verse: 1 Timothy 4:12.

He gives two commands. First, he taught Timothy to not let anyone look down on him because he was young. Timothy was in his thirties, but was still young from the standpoint of leading a diverse group of people in a culture where age equaled status. Paul was clear that Timothy had been called. That was what mattered, not his age. He was to walk in full confidence.

Second, Paul taught Timothy to set an example. He was to walk in confidence, yet live in humility. Five areas are mentioned, each key aspects of leadership, including:

• speech: his words
• conduct: his actions
• love: his attitude
• faith: his beliefs
• purity: his holiness

Paul’s words to young Timothy apply to us today. We are called to walk in confident, yet live as an example. We are role models, whether we desire it or not. Our words, actions, attitude, beliefs, and personal lives are to reflect our leader Jesus if we are to best serve him.

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Dillon Burroughs is the author and coauthor of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of all 31,173 verses of the Bible at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.