🤝 1 Timothy 4:12 | Original Greek & Mentorship

📧 In today’s email…

• 🧐 A lesson from the Original Greek

• 🤝 Biblical mentorship

• 👀 A simple practice that will bless future generations

• 📚️ Resources to help you connect further with 1 Timothy 4:12

 🧠 Memorize

_{see if you know what words go in the blanks}

Let __ ___ _______ ___ ___ ____ youth,

but set ___ _________ __ example in speech, in conduct, in ____, in _____, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

🤓 Original Greek & Mentorship on Display

Yesterday, we reviewed Paul’s encouragement to live in such a godly way that nobody could look down on him because of his age.

Let’s think about that some more…

Original Greek 📖

• The Greek word translated “despise” (kataphroneō) is not the jealous kind of despising. Rather, it means to “look down on” someone

  • Paul is saying to make it difficult for others to “think little of” him because his Christ-like conduct is so visible.

• The Greek word translated as “your youth” in v12 is neotēs, which at the time was used to refer to a young adult of military age.

  • Commentators estimate Timothy’s age to be somewhere from his late 20s to mid-30s, with most favoring the mid-30s at the time of Paul writing this letter to him.

Mentorship 🤝 

Remember, Paul wrote 1 Timothy to provide guidance and instruction to Timothy, a young church leader in Ephesus, on how to manage and lead the church effectively to:

• Combat False Teachings: Paul told Timothy to confront false teachers and uphold sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3-7, 4:1-5).

• Maintain Church Leadership and Order: Paul provided detailed qualifications for overseers (elders) and deacons, emphasizing moral and spiritual integrity (1 Timothy 3:1-13).

• Encouragement and Personal Guidance: Paul encouraged Timothy, reminding him of his calling and spiritual gifts, urging him to remain faithful and steadfast despite his youth and any opposition (1 Timothy 1:18-19, 4:12-16).

Why is this relevant for us today?

Not only does Paul demonstrate his deep care and desire for the well-being of the Church, but he also provides one of the most practical and profound examples of Christian mentorship found in Scripture.

Despite Timothy’s youth, Paul:

1. Recognizes his bold faith (2 Timothy 1:5)

2. Calls out his potential (1 Timothy 4:14)

3. Invites him to participate in God’s mission to make disciples of all nations (Acts 16:1-5)

Mentorship 🤝

Whether you have a lot of life experience or are just figuring things out, be encouraged by this beautiful display of mentorship between Paul and Timothy.

Paul’s letter contains important truths for how to build and maintain the church through the mentorship of a young leader to succeed him. This requires:

• Wisdom: To identify Timothy as a good choice and someone that God had ordained for the role

• Humility: To step aside and entrust leadership in Ephesus to another so that he could focus on other Kingdom work

• Care: To encourage and nurture Timothy’s gifts, building him up and practically supporting him through challenges.

Practice: Who has God placed in your life to mentor? 🤔

If you’re reading this, there’s likely someone you can influence in a way that propels them in their faith.

Who comes to mind when you think about Paul and Timothy’s relationship? Is there someone you’d love to mentor?

Or on the flip side, do you have someone in mind that you would want to mentor you in the faith?

Often times, all it takes is one person to initiate a conversation.

💡 Bonus: Reach out to someone you could encourage or mentor today. Let them know you’re thinking of them, and if it feels right, set up a time to meet.

Recommended Resources 🎙️ 

Here are a few resources to help you dig deeper into this week’s passage and topics:

• 📹️ Bible Project: Overview of the 1 Timothy (link)

• 🎙️ A 6-minute podcast on 1 Timothy 4:12 by David Platt (link)

• 📚️ Life Lessons from 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus: Ageless Wisdom for Young Leaders (link)

• 🎵 Lord, I Need You by Matt Maher (Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music)

Answer key ✅ 

Let no one despise you for your youth,

but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12