Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 4

Paul Inspires Timothy to Stir up His Gift from God

2 Timothy 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. KJV

Therefore, because of Brother Timothy's rich heritage, Paul is now telling him that it should not be merely for his reflection, recollection, or remembrance, but it should primarily be a motivating influence in his daily walk with our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ to energize him to do the will of God and to get out the Gospel of Christ in as many corners of this sinful world as possible by using these words to him, "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands." (2 Timothy 1:6) (KJV). This English word 'Wherefore' the Apostle Paul uses at the very beginning of this verse is translated by the Greek word aitia meaning (as used here) a cause (as if asked for), that is, (logical) reason (motive, matter), that is, to call for or to crave or to desire or to require something from someone. The lengthy English phrase 'I put thee in remembrance' is translated by one lenghthy Greek word anamimnēskō meaning (as used here) to remind; reflexively to recollect: - call to mind. The little English phrase 'that thou stir up' is translated by the Greek word anazōpureō meaning (as used here this one time only in the New Testament)  to re-enkindle: - stir up, that is, evoke or elicit again. The English word 'gift' is translated by the Greek word charisma meaning (as used here) a (divine) gratuity, that is, (specifically) a (spiritual) endowment, that is, (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty: - (free) gift. In other words, the Apostle Paul is reminding and then desiring and craving and even requiring Brother Timothy to actively and purposefully stir up or revive (give new life and energy to) or rekindle the spiritual endowments/gifts given to him by God the Holy Spirit which are miraculous faculties not found in him naturally, but supernatural gifts given to him for the purpose of building up our Lord Jesus Christ Body.

Just as Paul declared to the Ephesian believers with these words, "And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting {and} the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the Church), [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ {and} the completeness found in Him. So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching {and} wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning {and} cleverness of unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead. Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way {and} in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). For because of Him the whole body (the Church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints {and} ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love." (Ephesians 4:11-16) (Amplified Bible).

Here is what Alexander MacLaren had to say concerning Paul's exhortation to Timothy to stir up God's gifts to him, "All God’s gifts are held on similar conditions. They may be neglected, and, if so, will cease as surely as an untended fire dies down into grey ashes. The highest and the lowest are alike in this. An unused muscle atrophies, an uncultivated capacity diminishes. The grace of God itself wanes if we are unfaithful stewards. The gift of the Spirit is not a substitute for our own activity, and the extent to which we possess it is determined by our rousing ourselves to tend the sacred flame." When Paul writes 'which is in thee by the putting on of my hands', he is not elevating himself to being God but he is simply reminding Timothy of himself as being the conduit by which God the Holy Spirit infused, impregnated, and inplanted the supernatural gifts Brother Timothy would need to carry out the will of God for his life. Note: "This laying on of hands by another Christian to another Christian has no power whatsoever in it, but is a symbol and symbolic of ordaining a person for a specific office of leadership in the Church, for it is certain and sure that God the Holy Spirit does not need any human hands to convey His supernatural gifts to willing believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. He can do it anytime and in any place all by Himself."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…