Thomas Aquinas, on 1Tim 4:12

“Let no man despise thy youth: but be thou an example of the faithful in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, in chastity.”

“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. Hence, according to the Philosopher, no one chooses a youth as a leader. Consequently, he says, let no man despise your youth. As if to say: although you are young in years, your character represents one much older: and when he was younger than any of the tribe of Nephtali, yet he did no childish thing in his work (Tob 1:4). Then he shows how to forestall contempt, when he says, be an example of the faithful, i.e., show yourself to be such that you may be an example of what you teach by word. And it should be noted that there are many differences in those matters in which a prelate serves as an example. For some are ordained to one's neighbor; some to God; and some to oneself. As to one's neighbor he says, be an example of the faithful, namely, that what you command you fulfill in your actions: being made a pattern of the flock from the heart (1 Pet 5:3). And this in your speech; hence he says, in word, namely, well thought out, well arranged and cautious: let your speech be always in grace, seasoned with salt (Col 4:6); if any man speak, let him speak as the words of God (1 Pet 4:11). And in your behavior, i.e., your external conduct, so that just as you excel in place and dignity, so also in good behavior: having your conversation good among the gentiles (1 Pet 2:12); that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matt 5:16). To God is ordained charity, which perfects one's love of God: if I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal (1 Cor 13:1); but above all these things have charity (Col 3:14). Also in faith, which enlightens the understanding: without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). And this is peculiarly suited to prelates who are the guardians of the faith. Hence the Lord prays for Peter's faith: but I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not (Luke 22:32). As to himself, chastity, which puts order in one's mind and life, because it is unbecoming for a servant's life to disagree with that of his lord: as the judge of the people is himself, so are his ministers (Sir 10:2). But Christ loved chastity so much that he chose to be born of a virgin and preserved it in her; hence he says, in chastity.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.