Three Minute Bible

May 29, 2026May 28, 2026

1 Timothy 4:12d – Godly Love

[but set an example for the believers] … in love…

Summary: Setting an example with our words and deeds is commendable. Making sure that our example is worthy of our Lord Jesus is a challenge.

Paul’s instruction to Timothy so far includes the following: “… set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love…”

Timothy, and by extension all believers who follow his example, are to be mindful of how our speech and conduct reflect God’s will. We have briefly examined both speech and conduct in our prior meditations. I say “briefly” because, regarding speech, we only looked at our faithfulness to the truth about the Gospel. We could write a whole book on the topic of godly speech if we wanted to.

In our passage for this meditation, Paul begins to expand on how our speech and conduct affect others and reflect our relationship with God.

Paul uses the word agapē for “love” — not éros (desire), philía (friendship), or storgē (family affection). In Christian usage, agápē describes a self-giving love that combines genuine care with benevolent action for another’s good.*

In Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth, he describes what agapē love looks like (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Love (agapē) is patient, kind, truthful, protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. It is not envious, boastful, dishonorable, self-seeking, easily angered, focused on wrongs, or taking delight in evil.

This definition is both concise and actionable.

The example we are to follow and set for others is agapē love — both in speech and conduct.

It should go without saying, but we will say it anyway: this doesn’t mean we can harbor envy, pride, anger, etc. in our hearts while we carefully police our speech and conduct. That kind of duplicity doesn’t fly with a God who sees our hearts better than we do (Samuel 16:7).

Besides, there is the human problem of carrying around a plank in our eye (Matthew 7:3-5).

We humans suffer from being blind to our own faults. That means what we hold in our hearts can be seen by others, even if we believe we have our feelings hidden away.

As Paul said in the beginning of his letter, “The goal … is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5).

Application: Love from the heart, both in speech and actions.

Food for Thought: How does Paul’s life as we know it through the Bible reflect the example he is describing in his letter to Timothy?

*”G26 – agapē – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 28 May, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g26/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.

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May 28, 2026May 28, 2026

1 Timothy 4:12c – Faith & Feats

Picture of a man saying "Yes" out of one side of his mouth and "No" out of the other. (Grok)

[but set an example for the believers] … in conduct…

Summary: What we say and what we do are both important. What is best is when the two match up.

So far, the whole passage we are looking at reads:

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct…”

Speech and conduct are an interesting pair. You may have heard it said about someone that they “say one thing and do another.” That is often a textbook definition of hypocrisy. It can also be an indication of other failings, like forgetfulness or simply not caring.

What we do matters.

In fact, this may be one of the most consequential concepts in the Bible. An AI analysis of the New Testament generated the following:*

How we conduct ourselves tells a story about what we believe in our hearts.

This is not about judging other people’s hearts; it is instead a way of measuring our own faithfulness to God.

Someone who loves God above all else will try to please God (Matthew 22:37-38). If I want to please God, what I do will reflect that. Because God wants me to love others as I love myself (Matthew 22:39), I will be careful that what I say and do sets a good and godly example for others.

Why should we go to the effort to try to please God? As Paul writes in another letter, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” (Romans 6:1).

Jesus tells the story of a man who had two sons (Matthew 21:28-32). He tells each son to go out and work in the father’s vineyard. The first son says, “No,” but ends up going and doing what his father asked. The second one says, “Yes,” but does not go.

In one sense, both of the sons qualify as hypocrites. Yet in God’s eyes, they are not the same. Jesus’ follow-up question is simple. He asks, “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” (Matthew 21:31).

In this example, what we do is more important than what we say.

Application: Live your faith in what you do.

Food for Thought: What is something we do every day that reflects our faith to others?

*ChatGPT response to the prompt: “How much of the New Testament has to do with the relationship between what we say and what we do?” May 27, 2026.

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May 27, 2026May 28, 2026

1 Timothy 4:12b – Word Power

[but set an example for the believers] … in speech…

Summary: Paul provides a list of ways believers should be an example to others. The first item on his list is “speech.”

In our meditation on 1 Timothy 4:11, we took a close look at the context of Paul’s words, “Command and teach these things.” Authority in the Body of Christ is not universal. We each have authority over our own bodies, but when it comes to the Body of Christ, we submit to a higher authority — that of Jesus Christ.

May 26, 2026May 28, 2026

1 Timothy 4:12a – Leading by Example

Picture of a bowl of chocolate pudding (Grok)

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers …

Summary: Paul’s instruction to Timothy is something that is still true today. Everyone needs a good role model to follow.

1 Timothy 4:12 is another passage rich in content. In this sentence, Paul instructs and encourages Timothy because he is “young.” (“Young” in this context meant that Timothy didn’t have grey hair yet.)

May 25, 2026May 28, 2026

1 Timothy 4:11 – Context Matters

Picture of a quiz on a student's desk. The question is "List 10 things Paul instructed Timothy to "command and teach" (Grok)

Command and teach these things.

Summary: Understanding Paul’s words in this passage involves humble self-reflection and an honest assessment of what our role is in the Body of Christ.

This verse has to be one of the shortest and most direct sentences that Paul has ever written!

May 23, 2026May 25, 2026

1 Timothy 4:10 – Why We Train

A picture of a man digging a deep hole. (Grok)

That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Summary: This passage is a hum-dinger. Paul’s words leave us with a paradox wrapped up in a controversy.

This verse, like so many others in this letter to Timothy, is difficult. It can be analyzed from several different angles, but for the sake of this meditation, we are going to use a very simple analysis. Paul’s sentence can be divided into two parts. One is paradoxical, and the other is controversial.

May 22, 2026May 23, 2026

1 Timothy 4:9 – Focus on the Truth

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.

Summary: Looking back at Paul’s ‘trustworthy sayings’ helps us gain perspective on his strategy for the Lord’s churches.

The words in this passage represent the third time Paul has pointed to a “trustworthy saying.”

May 21, 2026May 23, 2026

1 Timothy 4:8 – The Life to Come

A man works out with two angels watching. (Grok)

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

Summary: Does godliness have a value? It turns out that it does.

Perhaps you have heard it said that this is a “dog eat dog” world?

As gruesome as that saying is, the reality of a world without Christ is much worse. When it comes to “getting your way” in the world, the shortest distance between you and what you want is probably at the end of a good, stout club.

May 20, 2026May 24, 2026

1 Timothy 4:7b – Training For Jesus

A fighter is working out with a punching bag. The bag has the word "SIN" on it in large letters -- perhaps drawn as if they were sewn into the bag. With each punch words fly out from the impact. These words include love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. "Grok"

… rather, train yourself to be godly.

Summary: Learning to train ourselves to be godly requires thinking about spiritual training in a whole new way.

I would love to sit down with Paul and talk about the history of the church so far. It would be interesting to hear his take on what he would categorize as “godless myths and old wives’ tales.”

May 19, 2026May 20, 2026

1 Timothy 4:7a – The Line

The picture illustrates the line that runs between Calvary and the Lake of Fire. We call it "Choice." — The picture illustrates the line that runs between Calvary and the Lake of Fire. We call it “Choice.”

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales…

Summary: Paul’s challenge to avoid “godless myths and old wives’ tales” makes us wonder how we tell the difference between truth and fiction.

What is the difference between the truth and a “godless myth”?