Let no man despise thy youth
Timothy was now a young man; some think he was about three and
twenty years of age; but he might be older, and yet be so called.
Saul is said to be a young man, when he held the clothes of them
that stoned Stephen, when he must be at least thirty years of
age, some say thirty five; since thirty years after that he
styles himself Paul the aged, when he must be sixty years of age
and upwards, ( Acts 7:58 ) ( Philemon 1:9
) . Young men are sometimes honoured by God with great gifts, for
usefulness both in church and state, as Samuel, David, Solomon,
Daniel, and his companions: nor should they be despised on
account of their age, when they have gifts suitable to their
office, and behave well in it, but, on the contrary, ought to be
esteemed for their works' sake; and such should take care that no
man has an opportunity or reason to treat them with contempt on
that account: the apostle's sense is, either that Timothy, being
in office, should not suffer any man to use him contemptuously;
but exert his power and authority, and magnify his office, and
not allow men to trample upon him, or use him ill, though he was
a young man; which sense suits with the preceding words: or
rather his meaning is, that he would have him so conduct and
behave himself, as he had taught him to behave, in the house and
church of God, and so fill up his place and office, and live such
an exemplary life and conversation, that there might be no
occasion for any to despise his age, or him, on the account of
it: and this agrees with what follows, but be thou an
example of the believers;
the members of the church, before called brethren, from their
relation to one another, and here believers, from their concern
with Christ, the object of their faith; a more honourable
character cannot be given of men, though treated with great
contempt in this age of infidelity. The Mahometans would engross
this character to themselves, calling themselves the believers,
and reckoning all others infidels; but to them only it belongs,
who believe in Christ unto righteousness and life everlasting.
Now sometimes young men may be examples to older ones; and all
that are in office in the church, especially in the ministry,
whether old or young, should be ensamples to the flock, and that
in the following things: "in word"; meaning either the word of
truth, the doctrine of the Gospel; by delivering that which is
according to the rule of God's word, showing in it uncorruptness,
gravity, and sincerity, and by holding it fast; all which may for
the imitation of others, to receive the pure doctrine and retain
it: or rather this may respect common discourse; which should not
be corrupt, filthy, nor foolish; but should be always with grace,
Seasoned with salt, or should be grave and serious, wise and
prudent, pleasant, profitable, and edifying. In
conversation;
in the family, church, and world; which should be as becomes the
Gospel of Christ, in all godliness and honesty, with simplicity
and godly sincerity; so as to adorn the doctrine of God our
Saviour, recommend it to others, stop the mouths of gainsayers,
and obtain a good report of them that are without. In
charity;
in love to God, to Christ, and one another; without which, if a
man has the tongue of men and angels, or ever such great and
excellent gifts, he is nothing. In spirit;
in the exercise of spiritual gifts; in spiritual talk and
conversation; and in fervency of spirit, or true zeal for the
honour of God, the glory of the Redeemer, the spread of his
Gospel, truths, and ordinances, and the support of the same. This
clause is wanting in the Alexandrian and Claromontane copies, and
in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions. In
faith;
in the exercise of the grace of faith; in holding fast the
profession of faith; and in retaining the doctrine of faith, with
all integrity, faithfulness, and constancy, standing fast in it,
striving and contending for it. In purity;
or chastity of body, in opposition to all impurity of the flesh,
by fornication, adultery, and the like; which was very proper to
be suggested to a young man: though this may also have respect to
all that is before said, as to purity of language, conversation,
love, zeal, and faith.