I have heard in the past where many young people quote Paul's instructions to Timothy to "Let no man despise thy youth" as a rebuke to an older person who was only trying to guide them in the right direction. I would like to look at Paul's complete thought here and discover what the reason was in his statement.
1 Timothy:4:6-16[6]If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.[7]But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.[8]For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.[9]This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.[10]For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.[11]These things command and teach.[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.[13]Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.[14]Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.[15]Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.[16]Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
