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Paul’s exhortation in v.12 shows an obvious awareness that some may not respect Timothy’s youth and that Timothy might even use his youth as an excuse for immature belief. Example is a pattern or copy from which other patterns or copies are made. The trio of love, faith, and purity conforms nicely to the admonition of 1:5.
V.13 refers to Paul’s plans shortly to be with Timothy and directs attention to three elements of the worship service—the reading of Scripture, preaching, and teaching, which parallel synagogue worship.
Paul then turns (v.14) to the topic he had raised previously in 1:18. Gift is a gracious bestowment of God on Timothy. Body of elders (presbyteriou, a different Greek word from that used in 3:1) seems to indicate a group of older religious leaders. (The singular form of the same word is used in 5:1, where it is translated “older man.”) The laying on of hands is also used for the passing on and/or bestowal of authority such as in Ac 6:6. V.15 says that by Timothy’s practice of these commands, he will make obvious progress in his Christian walk. Progress, a military term, signifies advance. By continuous attention to his life and the doctrine and persevering in them, Timothy will insure his salvation and that of his hearers (v.16).