John Calvin Commentary 1 Timothy 4:12

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity." — 1 Timothy 4:12 (ASV)

Let no man despise thy youth. He says this concerning both others and Timothy himself. Regarding others, he does not wish that Timothy's age should prevent him from obtaining the reverence he deserves, provided that, in other respects, he conducts himself as befits a minister of Christ.

At the same time, he instructs Timothy to supply by gravity of demeanor what is lacking in his age. It is as if he had said, “Take care that, by gravity of demeanor, you procure for yourself such great reverence that your youthful age, which in other respects exposes one to contempt, may take nothing from your authority.”

From this, we learn that Timothy was still young, even though he held a place of distinguished excellence among many pastors. We also learn that it is a grievous mistake to estimate by the number of years how much is due to a person.

But be an example of the believers. He next informs him what the true ornaments are: not external marks, such as the crosier, the ring, the cloak, and such trifles, or children’s rattles, but soundness of doctrine and holiness of life. When he says, by speech and conversation, the meaning is the same as if he had said, “by words and actions,” and therefore by the whole life.

The following are parts of a godly conversation: charity, spirit, faith, chastity. By the word spirit, I understand an ardor of zeal for God, unless it is considered better to interpret it more generally, to which I have no objection. Chastity is not merely contrasted with uncleanness, but denotes purity of the whole life.

From this, we learn that those who complain that no honor is paid to them act foolishly and absurdly when they have nothing about them worthy of applause but, on the contrary, expose themselves to contempt both by their ignorance and by a detestable example of life, or by levity or other abominations. The only way of procuring reverence is, by excellent virtues, to guard ourselves against contempt.