The Walk of Youth
The Walk of Youth
In this day and age, the actions of youth are being
closely watched. It is fitting, therefore, that we take a
good look at a verse of Scripture in the first epistle to
Timothy which clearly sets forth the importance and
responsibility of the younger generation.
I Timothy 4:12:
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example
of the believers, in word, in conversation, in
charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Let us take this verse line by line and word by word
in order to see the true beauty in the accuracy of God’s
matchless Word.
“Let no man despise thy youth.” The word “man” is
an inclusive noun. We are told to allow no one, Christian
or non-Christian, believer or unbeliever, to despise
our youth. The word “despise” means “to think disparagingly
of.”
Matthew 18:10:
Take heed that ye despise not [think disparagingly
of] one of these little ones.
Young people are to so condition their thinking, their
work and their pattern of living, that no one can think
disparagingly of them.
In the Biblical usage of the word “youth” lies an illuminating
truth. In the Bible a young person is referred
to as a youth until he reaches thirty years of age. According
to Jewish custom no person was allowed to teach
until he was thirty years old nor was he considered for
membership in the Sanhedrin (ruling body of Israel) until
he had reached thirty. Abraham took Isaac to the top of
Mount Moriah when Isaac was thirty years of age. Joseph
was thirty when Pharaoh appointed him ruler of Egypt.
Jesus did not begin His teaching ministry until reaching
the age of thirty. This same word “youth” is used in the
Gospels when Jesus was talking to the rich young ruler
(Matthew 19:20; Mark 10:20; Luke 18:21). This man was
very wealthy and yet only a youth under thirty years old.
The word “but” in I Timothy 4:12 sets that which
precedes in contrast with that which follows, “but be
thou [youth] an example.” The word “be” means “to
become or to come into a particular state or condition.”
This, then, expresses a growing process—a state of not
having fully arrived, but of becoming or in the process
of arriving.
The word “example” comes from the Greek word
tupos which, transliterated into English, becomes “type.”
“Of the believers” is the genitive of possession, literally
translated “be thou a believer’s example.” Christian
young people are to become believers’ examples or types
in six ways: (1) in word, (2) in conversation, (3) in charity,
(4) in spirit, (5) in faith, (6) in purity. The preposition
“in” is the same for each word and expresses an innermost
depth, an inner quietness or self-reliance. Youths
are to become, within the innermost part of their being,
an example of quietness and serenity due to The Word’s
dwelling in them. This is not surprising, for it is God’s
Word which gives youths the knowledge they need regarding
every phase of their life; it is The Word which
God set above His Name.*
Youths are to become, an example of the believers in
conversation. The word “conversation” is the Greek word
anastrophē, which means behavior or conduct. This behavior
or conduct is like a straight line, conditioned and
built upon the knowledge of The Word which is living
within.
Galatians 1:13:
For ye have heard of my conversation [behavior—
anastrophē] in time past.
Youths are to become an example of the believers in
charity. The word “charity” is the Greek word agapē,
which means the love of God in the renewed mind in
manifestation. The walk of youth is first of all with the
inner quietness or serenity of The Word, secondly in a
behavior that is straight without wavering or fluctuating
and thirdly with the love of God in the renewed mind in
manifestation.
The words “in spirit” which appear in the King James
Version do not appear in the critical Greek texts of
Griesbach, Lachmann, Tischendorf, Tregelles, Alford,
Wordsworth or Nestle; nor do they appear in any of the
Aramaic texts. Therefore, “in spirit” should be deleted.
The word “faith” is the Greek word pistis and is translated
either “faith” or “believing.” Faith is spiritual, within
an individual; believing connotes action. If the youths are
to become examples, it must be by their actions. Therefore,
pistis in this verse should be translated believing.
Young people are to become examples in their believing
action.
The word “purity” is the Greek word hagneia, which
means “chastity.” But chastity, normally construed as
meaning pure, really does not fit if taken in the context
of the verse. The root of this word is hagnos, meaning
“to keep lustrous” even though living in this present
tarnished world. This word is used referring to Jesus
Christ in I John 3:3, “even as he [Jesus Christ] is pure
[hagnos].” Jesus Christ was in the flesh in this world,
but the world was not mixed in Him to the end that He
was contaminated.
Another closely aligned Greek word is hēgeomai. This
word is also used of a Roman provincial governor, a
principal leader who is uncontaminated by what others
say. Youths are to walk as leaders, in a straight line,
uncontaminated by others. It is a pure walk.
How beautiful and how accurate is God’s matchless
Word. After studying and understanding the depth of I
Timothy 4:12, the following literal translation according
to usage is offered.
Allow no one to think disparagingly of you as a
youth. Become a believer’s example in the quietness,
serenity and self-composure you have within
yourself because of your study and knowledge of
the rightly divided, revealed Word. Become an example
in your behavior and manner of life. Become
an example in the love of God in the renewed mind
in manifestation. Become an example in believing
action in your life. Become an example in your
uncontaminated leadership.
Young people have been given a great challenge by
God’s Word and great responsibility to His Word. In
the youth lie wells of abilities and qualities. God commands
them to perfect and use their potential to benefit
themselves and the entire Church.