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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadEzekiel, Jonah, and Pastoral Epistles by Patrick Fairbairn - 2 Timothy 1:6 - 1:6
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Ver. 6. For which cause—namely, because I have full confidence that such is your spiritual condition (Theophylact, äéï ́ ôé ïé ̓͂ äá óå á ̓ íõðï ́ êñéôïí å ̓́ ÷ïíôá ðé ́ óôéí ; Theod., ôáõ ͂ ôá ðåñé ̀ óïõ ðåðåéóìå ́ íïò ðáñáêáëù ͂ ). Cocceius justly compares 1Jn_2:21, “I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it,” and adds: “Each apostle guards against the supposition that his writing or excitation should seem to insinuate either ignorance or unbelief of the truth; and, on the contrary, shows that the knowledge and faith of the truth dwelling in them was the cause of writing them and stirring them up. Such incitement would certainly have been in vain with persons ignorant of the truth, or not exercising faith in it.” In accordance with this is the mild form of the exhortation that follows: I remind thee ( ἀíáìéìíῄóêù , admonish is too strong) to stir up ( ἀíáæùðõñåῖí , lit. to kindle up, the subject being viewed under the image of a fire) the gift of God which is in thee through the laying on of my hands. That the verb here used ( ἀíáæùð .) does not necessarily imply any previous decay or slumbering—that it means to kindle up, as well as re-kindle, the force of ἀíá being up, or upwards (Ellicott)—is put beyond doubt by the examples given in Wetstein. (The synonyms given by Hesych. are á ͂ íåãåé ͂ ñáé , á ̓ íáæç ͂ í ðïéåé ͂ í ; by Suidas, á ̓ íáíåù ͂ óáé , á ̓ íåãåé ͂ ñáé .) Very similar is the language of St. Peter when he speaks of stirring up the disciples by way of remembrance, or putting them in mind ( äéåãåßñåéí ὑìᾶò ἐí ὑðïìíÞóåé , 2Pe_1:13). The circumstances of the time, especially as connected with the apostle’s fresh imprisonment, and now all too probable destination to capital punishment, rendered such an exhortation every way fitting. On such a mind as Timothy’s, disposed to lean rather than to lead—accustomed to take a subordinate, not a principal part—those circumstances could not but have a depressing effect. The danger for him, the apostle would readily foresee, was that he would lose heart in the conflict, and perhaps withdraw into some more retired and humble position than his calling and acquirements qualified him to occupy. He is therefore urged to brace himself for the occasion, and stir into vigorous action the gift he had received for the service of God. The gift itself ( ÷Üñéóìá ) is undoubtedly the special endowment or gift of grace qualifying him for the evangelistic work to which he was appointed. It was referred to in the former epistle (1Ti_4:14), and is there connected instrumentally with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery, as here with the laying on of St. Paul’s own hands. There is no contrariety between the two statements, as both parties no doubt took part in the ordination service (see at the former passage); but here it was natural and proper that the apostle should have reminded Timothy of his own act of imposition, as now more than ever Timothy was likely to be called to stand, to a certain extent, in the apostle’s room, and enter into his labours. It was of great importance, therefore, that he should now feel his increased responsibility, and apply himself to the cultivation of the grace which had been conferred upon him, undeterred by any discouragements or dangers which might stand in the way.