2 Timothy 1:6

For this cause I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands.

Stir up the gift of God ... This does not mean that Timothy had let the gift die. As Gealy said: "Although the Greek verb may mean `rekindle or re-light,' it also may mean `agitate or stir up.'"[10] This "gift of God" was the office Timothy held as an apostolic representative. Lenski noted that "The idea that Timothy's `charisma' was NOT his office is evidently not correct."[11]

Through the laying on of my hands ... Paul also mentioned in this connection the laying on of the hands of the presbytery" (1 Timothy 4:14), but it is not certain if this was the same occasion as that conferring the gift mentioned here. Lipscomb was of the opinion that "This gift seems to have been bestowed upon Timothy by the laying on of the hands of the presbytery, Paul joining them in it."[12] It may have been, however, a special apostolic gift through Paul, the same being another of the countless unsolved questions that arise from a study of the New Testament.

In any event, the admonition to Timothy was that he should be diligent and unwavering in the service of the Lord. Disaster should be faced, not by giving in to it, but by stirring up God's gracious gifts within men and by redoubling all vigorous effort.

[10] Fred D. Gealy, The Interpreter's Bible, Vol. XI (New York: Abingdon Press, 1955), p. 463.

[11] R. C. H. Lenski, op. cit., p. 754.

[12] David Lipscomb, Commentary on New Testament Epistles, Vol. V (Nashville: Gospel Advocate Company, 1976), p. 200.