The Nugget:
1Ti 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. (KJV)
1Ti 4:12 Don’t let anyone make fun of you, just because you are young. Set an example for other followers by what you say and do, as well as by your love, faith, and purity. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)
My Comment:
I suspect some visitors have missed some important posts here recently because they see the same Bible verse repeatedly as the Daily Bible Nugget. This time I further labeled this post as “part 4.” If you missed previous (unnumbered) parts, I invite you to go back and read them.
I have been amplifying Paul’s guidance to Timothy about how to be an example of the believers, and this time I will focus on Paul’s third area of emphasis, to become “an example…in charity” or love.
Here are the cross references as I have presented them in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:
in charity. +1Ti 1:14, +*Joh 13:34; +*Joh 13:35, Eph 5:2, +*1Th 3:12, +*1Pe 1:22, +*2Pe 1:7.
These references should be “live links” for many readers, meaning if you place your mouse pointer over each separate link or Bible reference the text should appear.
For those using a device which does not display this feature, I share the references below with some additional commentary.
1 Timothy 1:14
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
King James Version
Paul speaks of how abundantly the Lord blessed him personally with His love.
John 13:34
34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
King James Version
John 13:35
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
King James Version
Jesus gave us a new commandment by which all men may know that we are his disciples, if we have love one to another. This is a major issue that goes beyond a simple greeting or handshake when we visit a church. Real love is displayed when we receive or welcome one another into our fellowship, as commanded in Romans 15:7. Jesus repeatedly displayed this important quality of character such that He was known as “the friend of sinners.” Let Him share His love with you by carefully spending time reading His word. You might enjoy reading John chapter 14 on a regular basis for a while.
Ephesians 5:2
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
King James Version
2 Let love be your guide. Christ loved us and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God. (Contemporary English Version)
We must be careful about the idea of “Let love be your guide.” You must be anchored in Christ so that you have the right kind of love. The wrong kind will lead you astray! I remember my students writing compositions about the subject of distinguishing love from lust.
1 Thessalonians 3:12
12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
King James Version
1 Peter 1:22
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
King James Version
Notice that love must be combined with “a pure heart.” True love involves the practice of holiness. That is far different from the love practiced by the world at large.
2 Peter 1:7
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
King James Version
2 Peter 1:7
7 to godliness add Christian affection; and to Christian affection add love.
GOD’S WORD
7 to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love. (“NET” is the Net Bible® ©2006 (www.bible.org)).
In context, Peter lists a series of qualities that need to be added to one another. I have thought of these as steps to Christian maturity. The CEV translates 2 Peter 1:7 by “concern for others, and love.”
Be very careful to always be exercising the proper kind of love. The wrong kind will get you into big trouble. The real thing must correspond to what the Bible teaches. And even then you will often be misunderstood.