Fathers

1 Timothy 4

Tap a verse to read the Fathers. Press and hold, then drag, to make a card.

But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron, forbidding marriage and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer. If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables. Exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which is to come. This saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we have set our trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching. Don’t neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders. Be diligent in these things. Give yourself wholly to them, that your progress may be revealed to all. Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

About · Privacy · Credits · Support VRSZ

What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 4:12

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Let no man despise thy youth." Observe that it becomes a priest to command and to speak authoritatively, and not always to teach. But because, from a common prejudice, youth is apt to be despised, therefore he says, "Let no man despise thy youth." For a teacher ought not to be exposed to contempt. But if he is not to be despised, what room is there for meekness and moderation? Indeed the contempt that he fails into personally he ought to bear; for teaching is commended by longsuffering. …

Homily on 1 Timothy 13 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since youth, owing to a common prejudice, has become something easily despised, you, says the apostle, command with authority, and no one will despise you; for a teacher must not be held in contempt. Where, then, is gentleness? Where he himself is subjected to insults, he must be gentle; but where strictness is necessary for the salvation of others, there he must command with full authority. Or: show a life adorned with good character, and your youth will not be despised, but on the contrary, will attract universal admiration. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗

Ignatius of Antioch

Now it becomes you also not to treat your bishop too familiarly on account of his youth, but to yield him all reverence, having respect to the power of God the Father, as I have known even holy presbyters do, not judging rashly, from the manifest youthful appearance [of their bishop], but as being themselves prudent in God, submitting to him, or rather not to him, but to the Father of Jesus Christ, the bishop of us all. …

Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

However, the life of the speaker has greater weight in determining whether he is obediently heard than any grandness of eloquence. For he who speaks wisely and eloquently but lives wickedly may benefit many students, even though, as it is written, he "may be unprofitable to his own soul." … And thus they benefit many by preaching what they do not practice; but many more would be benefitted if they were to do what they say. …

On Christian Doctrine 4.27.59-60 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, let no man, he shows how he becomes fit for the foregoing: first, for commanding; second, for teaching, at till I come. In regard to the first he does two things: first, he shows him how to forestall contempt; second, he mentions what should be used to forestall it, at be an example. For a command is respected when there is authority in the one commanding; consequently, when such authority is scorned, the command is frustrated. This happens especially in regard to youths, who are not considered prudent. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗