11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:11-12

After Paul laid down the standards for elders and deacons, he provided an even steeper path for Timothy (and those who aspire to be like Timothy).

Speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity are subjective qualities because they cannot be measured. However, we all know that setting an example means to go the extra mile or two in those areas. Paul told Timothy to do that so the people would begin respecting him. Those qualities are intangible, but we all know when they’re not met. It’s up to each of us to determine if we meet our own standards for them.

Consider how we can be better examples in each of these five qualities: in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. Perhaps only one of the areas is your stumbling block. That’s what we focus on instead.