1 Timothy · Chapter 4
1 Timothy 4:12 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"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."
KJV · King James Version
"Let2706 no man3367 despise2706 thy4675 youth3503; but235 be thou1096 an example5179 of the believers4103, in1722 word3056, in1722 conversation391, in1722 charity26, in1722 spirit4151, in1722 faith4102, in1722 purity47."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses thy, thou, the, believers, while the WEB renders these as your, those, who, believe. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
1 Timothy 4:12 in 1 Timothy 4
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is 1 Timothy 4:12 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of 1 Timothy 4. Read the full chapter →
- v.10 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.
- v.11 Command and teach these things.
- v.12 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.
- v.13 Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching.
- v.14 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.
Book background
About the Book of 1 Timothy
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Pauline epistle
- Author
- Paul
- Date written
- c. 62–64 AD
- Audience
- Timothy, Paul's young protégé pastoring at Ephesus
- Chapters
- 6
1 Timothy is a pastoral handbook — instructions on confronting false teaching, qualifications for elders and deacons, the conduct of public worship, the care of widows, and personal holiness for a young pastor. Its declaration that "godliness with contentment is great gain" (6:6) defines Paul's spiritual economy.
Setting: A pastoral letter on leading a healthy church.
Key themes: leadership · sound doctrine · worship · church order · godliness
Memorisation aid
How to memorise 1 Timothy 4:12
1 Timothy 4:12 contains 30 words in 8 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
Let no man despise your youth
LNMDYY
- 2
but be an example to those who believe
BBAETT
- 3
in word
IW
- 4
in your way of life
IYWOL
- 5
in love
IL
- 6
in spirit
IS
- 7
in faith
IF
- 8
and in purity.
AIP
Frequently asked
FAQ about 1 Timothy 4:12
What does 1 Timothy 4:12 say?
1 Timothy 4:12 reads: "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." — from the New Testament, 1 Timothy (Pauline epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is 1 Timothy 4:12 in?
1 Timothy 4:12 is in the book of 1 Timothy, traditionally attributed to Paul and written around c. 62–64 AD. 1 Timothy is pauline epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to Timothy, Paul's young protégé pastoring at Ephesus. Best known for qualifications for church leaders and "godliness with contentment is great gain".
What is the difference between 1 Timothy 4:12 in WEB and KJV?
1 Timothy 4:12 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "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.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Let2706 no man3367 despise2706 thy4675 youth3503; but235 be thou1096 an example5179 of the believers4103, in1722 word3056, in1722 conversation391, in1722 charity26, in1722 spirit4151, in1722 faith4102, in1722 purity47.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is 1 Timothy 4:12?
1 Timothy 4:12 is 30 words in the WEB translation (145 characters), broken into 8 clauses. It is a longer verse, often broken into smaller phrases for memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 9 seconds.
How can I memorise 1 Timothy 4:12?
To memorise 1 Timothy 4:12, split it into its 8 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does 1 Timothy 4:12 matter in 1 Timothy?
1 Timothy is a pastoral handbook — instructions on confronting false teaching, qualifications for elders and deacons, the conduct of public worship, the care of widows, and personal holiness for a young pastor. Its declaration that "godliness with contentment is great gain" (6:6) defines Paul's spiritual economy. 1 Timothy 4:12 sits within this larger story — 1 Timothy as a whole emphasises leadership, sound doctrine, worship.
How can I apply 1 Timothy 4:12 today?
Many readers use 1 Timothy 4:12 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download 1 Timothy 4:12 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
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John 3:16
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Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
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Psalm 23:1
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Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a latter end.”
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Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
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1 John 4:8
“He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.”
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1 Corinthians 13:4-7
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Isaiah 40:31
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Psalm 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
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Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”
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More featured verses in 1 Timothy
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1 Timothy 2:1
“I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men:”
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1 Timothy 6:6
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
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1 Timothy 6:12
“Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.”
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1 Timothy 6:17
“Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who…”
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