Youth

In God’s plan, adults were placed on earth first. One man and one woman. The first marriage. Gen. 2:7; Gen. 2:22; Gen. 5:1-2.

“Then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7, NASB)

“The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.” (Genesis 2:22, NASB)

“This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day when God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. He created them male and female, and He blessed them and named them Man in the day when they were created.” (Genesis 5:1-2, NASB)

These adults then had children. Gen. 4:1-2; Gen. 5:4.

“Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, "I have gotten a manchild with the help of the LORD." Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.” (Genesis 4:1-2, NASB)

“Then the days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he had other sons and daughters.” (Genesis 5:4, NASB)

Stages of Youth

Childhood and youth can be divided into four stages: pre-age of accountability, babe, adolescent, and mature. Actual ages for each stage may vary.

Pre-Age of Accountability – Ages 0-5

In 2 Timothy 3:15, “childhood” and 1 Peter 2:2-3, “newborn babies” is βρέφος (brephos) and refers to a newborn child.

“and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15, NASB)

“like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.” (1 Peter 2:2-3, NASB)

In Matthew 21:16, “infants” is νήπιος (nēpios) and means without the power of speech. “Nursing babies” is θηλάζω (thēlazō) and refers to the child on the breast.

“and said to Him, "Do You hear what these children are saying?" And Jesus said to them, "Yes; have you never read, 'OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF'?"” (Matthew 21:16, NASB)

In Matthew 18:2, “child” is παιδίον (paidion) and refers to a more advanced child whereas in John 16:21, “child” refers to an infant just born. Paidion can even refer to a teenager as in Mark 9:24.

“And He called a child to Himself and set him before them,” (Matthew 18:2, NASB)

“"Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.” (John 16:21, NASB)

“Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief."” (Mark 9:24, NASB)

In Luke 1:7, “child” is τέκνον (teknon) and emphasizes relationship, father-son, can be used of any age child, or even an adult in relationship to the parent.

“But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years.” (Luke 1:7, NASB)

Babe – Ages 6-19

In 1 Corinthians 3:1, “infants” is νήπιος (nēpios) and is used in a derogatory sense. Nēpios is also used in the following verses to mean childish, unskilled, simple. Matt. 11:25; Luke 10:21; Rom. 2:20; Gal. 4:3; Eph. 4:14; 1 Cor. 3:1.

“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:1, NASB)

“At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.” (Matthew 11:25, NASB)

“a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,” (Romans 2:20, NASB)

In 1 John 2:12, “children” is τεκνίον (teknion) and can be a term of endearment, but it means here grow up, to get on to maturity. Teknion can be used for adolescence and emphasizes parentage and relation. 1 Thess. 2:7.

“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake.” (1 John 2:12, NASB)

“But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children.” (1 Thessalonians 2:7, NASB)

In 1 John 2:13, “children” is παιδίον (paidion) and here emphasizes the younger teenager.

“I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father.” (1 John 2:13, NASB)

Adolescent - Ages 13-19

In 1 John 2:13, “young men” is νεανίσκος (neaniskos) and emphasizes those older teenagers and younger adults. Matt. 19:20; Matt. 19:22; Mark 14:51; Mark 16:5; Luke 7:14; Acts 2:17; Acts 23:18; Acts 23:22.

“The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?"” (Matthew 19:20, NASB)

“Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed.” (Mark 16:5, NASB)

“So the commander let the young man go, instructing him, "Tell no one that you have notified me of these things."” (Acts 23:22, NASB)

In Acts 7:58, “young man” is νεανίας (neanias) and is also used in Acts 20:9 and Acts 23:17-18.

“When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.” (Acts 7:58, NASB)

“And there was a young man named Eutychus sitting on the window sill, sinking into a deep sleep; and as Paul kept on talking, he was overcome by sleep and fell down from the third floor and was picked up dead.” (Acts 20:9, NASB)

In Matthew 26:69, “servant-girl” is παιδίσκη (paidiskē) and refers to a young girl, a maiden. Mark 14:66; Mark 14:69; Luke 12:45; Luke 22:56; John 18:17; Acts 12:13; Acts 16:16.

“Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean."” (Matthew 26:69, NASB)

“As Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came,” (Mark 14:66, NASB)

“And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, "This man was with Him too."” (Luke 22:56, NASB)

In Luke 2:43, “boy” is παῖς (pais) and refers to both age and parentage with emphasis on age. Luke 9:42; Acts 20:12; Matt. 2:16; John 4:51.

“and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it,” (Luke 2:43, NASB)

“They took away the boy alive, and were greatly comforted.” (Acts 20:12, NASB)

Pais is also used for girls in Luke 8:51 and Luke 8:54.

“When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl's father and mother.” (Luke 8:51, NASB)

“He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Child, arise!"” (Luke 8:54, NASB)

In Matthew 1:21 and Matthew 21:15, “Son” is υἱός (uihos) and refers to the privilege of heirship.

“"She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."” (Matthew 1:21, NASB)

“But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He had done, and the children who were shouting in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they became indignant” (Matthew 21:15, NASB)

Mature – Ages 20 and above

In Matthew 23:32 and Luke 11:48, “fathers” is πατήρ (patēr) is used for maturity and authority.

“"Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers.” (Matthew 23:32, NASB)

“"So you are witnesses and approve the deeds of your fathers; because it was they who killed them, and you build their tombs.” (Luke 11:48, NASB)

In 2 Corinthians 6:18, “sons” υἱός (uihos) and “daughters” is θυγάτηρ (thugatēr) with both words speaking of spiritual maturity.

“"And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18, NASB)

In 1 Timothy 4:12, “youthfulness” is νεότης (neotēs) and was used where a mature pastor-teacher (Timothy) was young in years (under 40). Neotēs is also used in Luke 18:21, Acts 26:4, Matthew 19:20, 1 Timothy 4:12, and Mark 10:20.

“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:12, NASB)

“And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth."” (Luke 18:21, NASB)

“And he said to Him, "Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up."” (Mark 10:20, NASB)

The Exodus Generation was Divided at Age 20

In Numbers 1:3, mandatory military service for the Exodus generation started at age 20.

“from twenty years old and upward, whoever is able to go out to war in Israel, you and Aaron shall number them by their armies.” (Numbers 1:3, NASB)

In Numbers 8:24-26, Levite males 25 to 50 years old served full-time in the tabernacle services.

“"This is what applies to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall enter to perform service in the work of the tent of meeting. "But at the age of fifty years they shall retire from service in the work and not work any more. "They may, however, assist their brothers in the tent of meeting, to keep an obligation, but they themselves shall do no work. Thus you shall deal with the Levites concerning their obligations."” (Numbers 8:24-26, NASB)

In Numbers 14:29, those 20 years old and older who had prolonged rebellion against God died the Sin Unto Death. The second generation above 20 years old went to war and Israel entered the Land as God had promised. Num. 26:1-2.

“your corpses will fall in this wilderness, even all your numbered men, according to your complete number from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against Me.” (Numbers 14:29, NASB)

“Then it came about after the plague, that the LORD spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying, "Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers' households, whoever is able to go out to war in Israel."” (Numbers 26:1-2, NASB)

In Numbers 4:46-49, the second generation Levite males 30 to 50 years old served full-time in the tabernacle services.

“All the numbered men of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the leaders of Israel numbered, by their families and by their fathers' households, from thirty years and upward even to fifty years old, everyone who could enter to do the work of service and the work of carrying in the tent of meeting. Their numbered men were 8,580. According to the commandment of the LORD through Moses, they were numbered, everyone by his serving or carrying; thus these were his numbered men, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.” (Numbers 4:46-49, NASB)

The Mature Stage can be Divided

Ages 20-40

The age bracket of 20-40 can be considered mature youth and is one of preparation, especially during times of apostacy. Moses became a believer at age 39 and was rejected by Pharaoh at age 40. Moses required 40 more years of preparation in the desert in Midian until God could use him. Moses was then 80 years old. Joshua was 40 when he was selected to spy out the land. Joshua 14:7.

“"I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart.” (Joshua 14:7, NASB)

Ages 40-60

The age bracket of 40-60 is considered middle age with women generally past childbearing. This can be the prime years of ministering. 1 Tim. 5:9.

“A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,” (1 Timothy 5:9, NASB)

Generally by age 40, the hard years of preparation have been finished. The decisions of life have been made and the person is in their niche. Now the believer is able to have impact.

Ages 60 and above

See category on Old Age.

“A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man,” (1 Timothy 5:9, NASB)

“As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.” (Psalms 90:10, NASB)

But always remember, the believer is to live one day at a time. That is a wonderful doctrine if applied from the heart. I only have today, not tomorrow. We have only today and we are to live it to the full which is the monopoly of the believer.