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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - 1 Timothy 4:14 - 4:14
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Neglect not the gift - by letting it lie unused. In 2Ti 1:6 the gift is represented as a spark of the Spirit lying within him, and sure to smolder by neglect, the stirring up or keeping in lively exercise of which depends on the will of him on whom it is bestowed (Mat 25:18, Mat 25:25, Mat 25:27, Mat 25:28). The charism or spiritual gift, is that of the Spirit which qualified him for “the work of an evangelist” (Eph 4:11; 2Ti 4:5), or perhaps the gift of discerning spirits, specially needed in his function of ordaining, as overseer [Bishop Hinds].
given thee - by God (1Co 12:4, 1Co 12:6).
by prophecy - that is, by the Holy Spirit, at his general ordination, or else consecration, to the special see of Ephesus, speaking through the prophets God’s will to give him the graces needed to qualify him for his work (1Ti 1:18; Act 13:1-3).
with ... laying on of ... hands - So in Joshua’s case (Num 27:18-20; Deu 34:9). The gift was connected with the symbolical act of laying on hands. But the Greek “with” implies that the presbyter’s laying on hands was the mere accompaniment of the conferring of the gift. “By” (2Ti 1:6) implies that Paul’s laying on his hands was the actual instrument of its being conferred.
of the presbytery - In 2Ti 1:6 the apostle mentions only his own laying on of hands. But there his aim is to remind Timothy specially of the part he himself took in imparting to him the gift. Here he mentions the fact, quite consistent with the other, that the neighboring presbyters took part in the ordination or consecration, he, however, taking the foremost part. Paul, though having the general oversight of the elders everywhere, was an elder himself (1Pe 5:1; 2Jo 1:1). The Jewish council was composed of the elders of the Church (the presbytery, Luk 22:66; Act 22:5), and a presiding rabbi; so the Christian Church was composed of apostles, elders, and a president (Act 15:16). As the president of the synagogue was of the same order as his presbyters, so the bishop was of the same order as his presbyters. At the ordination of the president of the synagogue there were always three presbyters present to lay on hands, so the early Church canons required three bishops to be present at the consecration of a bishop. As the president of the synagogue, so the bishop of the Church alone could ordain, he acting as the representative, and in the name of the whole presbytery [Vitringa]. So, in the Anglican Church, the bishop ordains, the presbyters or priests present joining with him in laying on hands.