Timothy’s church leadership position put him in a role to influence the lives of others. Only the proper conversation could avoid adversely affecting other believers. Furthermore, Timothy was a young man and Paul knew that others might despise him for his youth. Therefore, Paul instructed Timothy how to eliminate this problem. He was to be the right type of an example to the believers. Paul gave Timothy several areas in which to be that example. One of these involved Timothy's conversation. Paul knew that it was important for other people to be able to look at Timothy’s life and glean an idea of what their conversation should resemble. Just as Paul had been an example to Timothy, Timothy was to be an example for others.
Many things have changed since Old Testament times. For instance, the Lord visited His people in the temple or tabernacle in the Old Testament by dwelling between the cherubims on the ark of God (Psalm 80:1). This ended especially with the onset of the New Testament and the permanent indwelling of God's Spirit within believers. The Lord stressed, “. . . that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you” (1 Corinthians 3:16). For this reason, the New Testament does not place as much emphasis on reverence in the physical house of God. Regardless, the Lord is not silent concerning our behaviour in His house. We should behave ourselves both respectfully and properly (1 Timothy 3:15). Of all people, Bible believers should demonstrate reverence in the house of God so that others get a sense for our awe of God and His goodness.
