2 Timothy 1:6-7 6For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For the Spirit God gives us is not of cowardness, but of power and love and self-discipline.
The body of the letter begins with Paul reminding Timothy of God’s call in his life. Continuing down memory lane, Paul connects Timothy’s upbringing of spiritual nurturing with God’s ongoing purposes for him. Rekindle (anazōpyrein) gives the powerful image of something bursting into flames again. One way to rekindle a fire is to blow air. The Holy Spirit came with fire and wind on the day of Pentecost.
The word for “spirit” is the same for “wind” or “air.” Paul uses the word spirit twice in this chapter, in verse 7 and 14. Spirit in verse 7 could refer to the Holy Spirit or to a generic sense of attitude or demeanor. The word does not have the article, but Paul refers to the Holy Spirit without an article in other places in his letters, so either option is possible. The greatest gift God gives to us is the Holy Spirit. It makes better sense to interpret this word in verse 7 as referring to the gift of God’s Spirit.
The word for gift (charisma) is the same as interpreted as “spiritual gift” in Romans 1:11; 12:6; 1 Corinthians 1:7; 7:7; 12:4, 9, 28, 30-31. Such gifts are given because of God’s grace through Jesus Christ. Timothy’s spiritual gift was related to his mission and provided him courage to follow God’s leading. He received this gift by the agency of Paul who laid his hands on him. This symbolic gesture was common in the early church for commissioning and receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17-18; 9:12, 17; 19:6). Paul does not indicate when this experience happened, though it could have been either when Timothy first joined Paul in Acts 16 (1 Timothy 4:14) or when they departed from one another more recently.
Timothy had a responsibility in developing and using his gift. The effectiveness of any spiritual gift is related to faith. Any spiritual gift from God can dwindle away if we do not put our full trust in Christ.
This gift through the Spirit should not have made Timothy timid, shy, or cowardly (deilias, a rare word that occurs only here). Timothy faced many obstacles with false teachers in Ephesus and the task of training of leaders in the church. He needed courage that the Holy Spirit would provide. Timothy had to seek God’s presence. The result would be power, love, and self-discipline.
Timothy needed power (dynameōs) to give him the abilities he needed to live in holiness and love. Jesus promised his disciples to send the Holy Spirit to give them power for witnessing (Acts 1:8). Love (agapēs) is the highest gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:31-14:1; Romans 5:5) and incorporates all other gifts as the primary characteristic of God (1 John 4:7). Self-discipline (sōphronismou) refers to the quality of controlling one’s thinking and actions and aligning these with God’s desire of a godly lifestyle. It could be interpreted as levelheadedness and right thinking. Timothy needed this gift as a leader in ministry as he set an example to the church (2:2).
Each believer will have unique opportunities, responsibilities, and influences. God has created each of us special and provided just what we need through the Holy Spirit to accomplish his mission for us. We cannot let the fire of enthusiasm, devotion, love, and purpose dwindle but keep it alive through the obedience of faith.
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