Paul told the Corinthians to treat Timothy (a young minister) kindly and respectfully: “When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am.  So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers” (I Cor. 16.10-11).  Apparently Paul was concerned that something besides kindness and respect might happen.  Timothy could have looked at that and said, “Look at these people – they don’t respect me.  Paul even commanded them too!  This respect thing – it’s all their fault!”

But turn over to I Tim. 4.12: “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”  Here, Paul does not commiserate with Timothy; he does not pat him on the back, give him a pep talk or encourage him to blame the respect issue on the people around him!  Paul gives Timothy a straightforward exhortation to do everything possible so that no one woud have reason to esteem him poorly.  Yes, the problem may have been someone else’s fault (it looks that way in Corinth), but the responsibility lies with both parties.

Our problems with other people (particularly in ministry) may be the fault of the “other people,” but the responsibility to minimize the problem and its causes lies with us as well!