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. 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.
Paul as a spiritual father urges Timothy his son in the gospel to rekindle the gift of God placed in him through the laying on of hands. The charge builds on the genuine faith first seen in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, and calls him to courage instead of fear, with power and love and a sound mind. That gift fits him for a holy calling to make known the gospel that brings life and immortality to light, by holding fast sound words and standing without shame though suffering comes. The same call reaches all believers, ministers, churches and canvassers, because gifts left unused lie dormant and must be kept active and put to faithful use. Rekindling comes by exercising faith and staying close to Christ and His Word in the face of vigilant evil powers, and by using opportunity and knowledge to give light to others and draw perishing souls to Christ, which itself increases fitness for service as a laborer together with God.
The Charge to Timothy
Paul urges Timothy as a father urges his son in the gospel to stir up the gift of God that is in him by the laying on of hands. That gift came to Timothy through Paul's hands and was to be kept active and put to faithful use. The charge rests on the unfeigned faith that dwelt first in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. It calls for courage instead of fear, for God has not given fear but power and love and a sound mind.
Stirring up the gift means exercising faith in God and keeping close to the Word of God and close to Christ where His instruction can be heard. This closeness is necessary because the devil is not dead and not asleep, and whole legions of devils watch for opportunity to get hold of human minds, while those who keep close to the Word will not be overcome. The gift equipped Timothy for a holy calling to proclaim the gospel which brings life and immortality to light. It was to be exercised with steadfastness in faith and in service, with faithfulness without shame despite suffering.
The responsibility laid on him goes beyond mere head knowledge to knowing the true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent, a responsibility for spiritual welfare. It is carried out by praying together, by reading and teaching the Word, and by becoming a diligent student of the Scriptures. It is carried out by holding fast the form of sound words and by keeping through the Holy Spirit the good thing committed to him.
Stirring Up the Gift
God's gifts can lie dormant unless they are rekindled, kept active, and put to faithful use, and the call to stir up the gift is given to all believers and to ministers, to churches, and to canvassers. To stir up the gift is to exercise faith in God and to keep close to the Word of God and close to Christ where His instruction can be heard. This closeness is necessary because the devil is not dead and not asleep, and whole legions of devils watch for opportunity to get hold of human minds, while those who keep close to the Word will not be overcome.
Stirring up the gift means using opportunities and knowledge of the reasons for faith to give light to others rather than leaving that knowledge unused. It means continuing to search Scripture for deeper truth and praying for wisdom to present the truth clearly and in an orderly way. It is put to work through personal, earnest efforts to reach people. Improving abilities and using the gift in God's service increases capability as a laborer together with God.
For ministers and all who know the truth, putting the gift to active use means laying hold of perishing souls and drawing them to Christ. It means opening the door of the heart to receive the Holy Spirit's sanctifying power so that heaven's light shines in clear, distinct rays upon the soul and is reflected to others. By this means the world dead in trespasses and sins may be convicted and converted by the Holy Spirit's power. For churches, it means using the gifts and power they already have to strengthen themselves and to gather people into the church.
For canvassers doing missionary work, the gift must be stirred up especially when they have committed themselves as followers of Jesus Christ by asking a family for the privilege of uniting in morning and evening worship. Stirring it up means realizing they are in a useful line of duty and honorable employment in doing missionary work. It means showing a friendly spirit and doing small kind acts of service such as bringing water, which win respect and open the way for orders. It means feeling every day that they are in an educating school and in need of God's help.