(12) Let no one despise your youth, but rather, be an example for the believers in speech, in manner of life, in love, in trust, in purity.
Timothy was a young pastor. Here, Paul gives him instructions about how to live based on two facts:
1) The Gospel should be heard and heeded, unhindered by human preconceived notions, by the people of God.
2) Certain aspects of a person can hinder the reception of the Gospel by even the people of God - like being young.
Paul's concern here is not that people despise Timothy for being young - but that they tune out God's word because Timothy is young! And if they do that, they will fail to be nourished and fail to enjoy God's presence.
Now, youth is attended by certain sins - 2 Timothy 2:22 commands, "Flee youthful passions." As people get older, their sins change. However, when we see somebody younger and think that they must be less spiritually mature than us, we err - because we fail to give God credit for what he can do - and we fail to realize that growth is from him through his Scriptures.
Paul is concerned that people will tune out the word because of Timothy's youth, so he tells him not to let people do it! How? By being an example, or a type. In other words - by having a truly transformed life.
He gives categories for this young pastor to think through: speech, manner of life, love, trust and purity. A young pastor especially must embrace living like Jesus publicly in those things.
Why? Because God's nourishing and satisfying word transforms people. If a pastor's life is transformed, it gives evidence for the reliability of the word he is preaching. It at least alleviates skepticism based on other, human factors. See the previous part of the chapter.
There are some danger signs we must look out for!
Pastors must be careful to let not anything they are or do externally be a hindrance to someone understanding God's word. If they can change something about themselves, they must change it!
Pastors can fail to really strive to nourish themselves on God's word - and be stagnant in their character growth.
People can criticize pastors - not for their faithfulness to God's word - but rather, based on external, human understanding.
People can fail to heed God's word as preached through his servants.
It really all boils down to paying attention to people rather than to God and his word.
Yet, God has rescued us from this situation. He has given us his word, ordained that his presence be made known in and through it, and has given us pastors. He has given us good churches! Jesus ultimately is our type and example and savior and teacher. We must together look to him to learn to obey him - through pastors put in place by him to communicate his word.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for giving us your Scriptures. You have communicated to us the words that bring life - words about your Son dying in our place, rising for our justification, and returning to bring us to himself. Cause us to not think of people as the world does - but as you would have us - thinking of your sovereign grace in the delivery of your word. Feed us on your word. Cause us to enjoy and abide in Christ - so that we'll bear fruit for your glory.
In Christ I pray,
amen
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