1 Timothy 4:14 - A Good Minister of Jesus Christ

Do not neglect the gift that is in you
This phrase emphasizes the importance of recognizing and utilizing spiritual gifts. In the early church, spiritual gifts were seen as divine enablements for ministry and service. The Apostle Paul is urging Timothy to be diligent and proactive in using his God-given abilities. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching found in passages like Romans 12:6-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, which discuss the diversity and purpose of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ. The exhortation to not neglect these gifts suggests a personal responsibility to cultivate and develop them for the edification of the church.

which was given you through the prophecy
In the New Testament context, prophecy often involved a direct revelation from God, sometimes concerning future events or specific guidance. The mention of prophecy here indicates that Timothy's gift was recognized and affirmed through a prophetic message. This reflects the practice in the early church where leaders and members would receive prophetic words that confirmed God's calling and gifting, as seen in Acts 13:1-3 with the commissioning of Paul and Barnabas. Prophecy served as a means of divine confirmation and encouragement for individuals in their ministry roles.

spoken over you at the laying on of the hands
The laying on of hands is a significant biblical practice symbolizing the impartation of blessing, authority, or the Holy Spirit. In the context of Timothy's ministry, it likely refers to his ordination or commissioning for service. This practice is rooted in both Old and New Testament traditions, such as the commissioning of Joshua by Moses in Deuteronomy 34:9 and the appointment of deacons in Acts 6:6. It signifies a formal recognition and empowerment for ministry, often accompanied by prayer and prophetic words.

of the elders
The elders in the early church were leaders responsible for teaching, shepherding, and overseeing the congregation. Their involvement in the laying on of hands underscores the communal and authoritative aspect of Timothy's commissioning. Elders were typically mature believers with a deep understanding of the faith, as outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9. Their role in this process highlights the importance of church leadership in recognizing and affirming spiritual gifts and callings within the body of Christ.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Timothy
A young pastor and protégé of the Apostle Paul, Timothy was entrusted with the leadership of the church in Ephesus. He is the recipient of this letter, which provides guidance and encouragement for his ministry.

2. Paul
The Apostle Paul is the author of this epistle. He writes to Timothy with the authority of an apostle and the affection of a spiritual father, offering counsel and exhortation.

3. Elders
The elders mentioned here are likely the leaders of the church who participated in Timothy's commissioning. Their role in laying hands on Timothy signifies a formal recognition and empowerment for ministry.

4. Prophecy
This refers to the divine revelation or message that accompanied Timothy's commissioning. It underscores the spiritual authority and calling that Timothy received.

5. Ephesus
The city where Timothy was serving as a church leader. Ephesus was a significant center for early Christianity and a place where Timothy faced various challenges in his ministry.

Teaching Points

Recognize and Value Your Spiritual Gifts
Every believer has been endowed with spiritual gifts. Recognizing and valuing these gifts is crucial for effective ministry and service in the body of Christ.

Do Not Neglect Your Calling
Just as Timothy was reminded not to neglect his gift, believers today must be diligent in nurturing and using their spiritual gifts for God's glory.

The Role of the Church in Affirming Gifts
The laying on of hands by the elders highlights the church's role in recognizing and affirming the gifts and callings of its members. This communal aspect is vital for accountability and encouragement.

The Importance of Prophetic Encouragement
Prophetic words and encouragement can play a significant role in confirming and strengthening one's calling. Believers should be open to receiving and discerning such words.

Active Participation in Ministry
Spiritual gifts are not to be dormant. Active participation in ministry, using one's gifts, is essential for personal growth and the edification of the church.

(14) Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy.--Here the Apostle reminds his representative in the Ephesian congregation of his special gift of teaching and exhortation--that divine gift which had been conferred on Timothy at his solemn ordination long ago, when the young son of Eunice was designated for the post which John Mark had once held with the Apostle. It was in many respects a similar office, that which Timothy held about St. Paul, to that which in old days Elisha had held with Elijah; and, as in the case of the Hebrew prophet of the old dispensation, so here, the choice of St. Paul had been divinely guided. The very titles of the old covenant dispensation seem to have been revived in this instance of the divine selection of Timothy; for in 1Timothy 6:11 the older Apostle addresses his representative at Ephesus with the old prophetic title when he writes: "Thou, O man of God, flee these things." Now he solemnly calls attention to that strange, miraculous "grace" which some inspired prophet at his ordination declared was to be conferred on Timothy. The "gift" was said to be conferred, as to its certainty in the divine counsels, by such prophecy--the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of one or more of His prophets, declaring His will and intention to confer this special grace on the young companion of St. Paul.

With the laying on of the hands.--This was a symbolic action--the outward sign of an inward communication of the Holy Spirit for some spiritual office or undertaking--and was derived from the old solemn Hebrew custom. (See Numbers 8:10 in the case of the consecration of the Levites, and Numbers 27:18, Deuteronomy 34:9 in the ceremony of the dedication of Joshua.)

Of the presbytery.--The brotherhood of presbyters connected with the place where the ordination of Timothy took place is here alluded to. There appears to have been such a body of elders in each particular city or district. The presbytery in this instance would seem in all probability to have belonged to the district of Lystra, Timothy's native city; but an old ecclesiastical tradition speaks of Ephesus as the place of this ordination.

Verse 14. - The gift (χάρισμα). The verb χαρίζομαι means "to give anything freely," gratuitously, of mere good will, without any payment or return (Luke 7:42; Acts 27:24; Romans 8:32; 1 Corinthians 2:12, etc.). Hence χάρισμα came to be especially applied to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are preeminently "free gifts" (see Acts 8:20). It is so applied in Romans 1:11; Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 9, 28, 30, 31; 1 Peter 4:10. Here, then, as in the similar passage, 2 Timothy 1:6, the "gift" spoken of is the special grace given by the Holy Ghost to those who are separated for "the office and work of a priest in the Church of God by the imposition of hands" (Ordering of Priests). This gift St. Paul bids him not neglect (μὴ ἀμέλει). The word contains the idea of contemptuous neglect - neglect as of an unimportant thing. In Matthew 22:5 the persons invited to the feast made light of it, and went away to other things which they cared mere about. In Hebrews 2:3, τηλικαύτης ἀμελήσαντες σωτηρίας, and Hebrews 8:9, imply a contemptuous disregard. So here Timothy is reminded that in his ordination he received a great χάρισμα, and that he must value it duly, and use it diligently. It must not be let lie slumbering and smoldering, but must be stirred up into a flame. The lesson here and in 2 Timothy 1:6 seems to be that we must look back to our ordination, and to the spiritual grace given in it, as things not exhausted. The grace is there, but it must not be lightly thought cf. Which was given thee by prophecy. This seems to be explained by Acts 13:1-3, where Barnabas and Saul were separated for their work by the laying on of the hands apparently of the prophets and teachers, at the express command of the Holy Ghost, speaking doubtless by the mouth of one of the prophets. Timothy, it appears, was designated for his work by a like command of the Holy Ghost, speaking by one of the Church prophets, and received his commission by a like "laying on of hands" by the elders of the Church. If St. Paul refers, as he appears to do, to the same occasion in 2 Timothy 1:6, then it appears that he laid his hands on Timothy, together with the presbyters, as is done by the bishop in the ordination of priests. The presbytery (τοῦ πρεσβυτερίου). The word is borrowed from the Jewish nomenclature (see Luke 22:6; Acts 22:5). In a slightly different sense for "the office of a presbyter," Sus., 5:50 (Cod. Alex.). Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

{Do} not
Μὴ (Mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

neglect
ἀμέλει (amelei)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 272: To neglect, be careless of, disregard. To be careless of.

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

gift
χαρίσματος (charismatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 5486: From charizomai; a gratuity, i.e. Deliverance;, a endowment, i.e. religious qualification, or miraculous faculty.

[that is] in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

you,
σοὶ (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

which
ὃ (ho)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

was given
ἐδόθη (edothē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

you
σοι (soi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

through
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

[the] prophecy spoken
προφητείας (prophēteias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 4394: Prophecy, prophesying; the gift of communicating and enforcing revealed truth. From prophetes; prediction.

[over you] at
μετὰ (meta)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

[the] laying on
ἐπιθέσεως (epitheseōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1936: A laying on; an attack, assault. From epitithemi; an imposition.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

hands
χειρῶν (cheirōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 5495: A hand.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

elders.
πρεσβυτερίου (presbyteriou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4244: Neuter of a presumed derivative of presbuteros; the order of elders, i.e., Israelite Sanhedrin or Christian 'presbytery'.

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