1 Timothy 4:14

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. NEGLECT NOT THE GIFT - by letting it lie unused. IN THEE. In 2 Timothy 1:6 the gift is represented as a spark of the Spirit within him, sure to smoulder by neglect, the stirring up or keeping in lively exercise of which depends on himself (Matthew 25:18; Matthew 25:25; Matthew 25:27). The spiritual gift [ charisma (G5486)] is that which qualified him for "the...

14_Neglect not the gift that is in thee _The Apostle exhorts Timothy to employ, for the edification of the Church, that grace with which he was endued. God does not wish that talents — which he has bestowed on any one, that they may bring gain — should either be lost, or be hidden in the earth without advantage. (Matthew 25:18.) To _neglect _a gift is carelessly to keep it unemployed through slothfulness, so that, having contracted rust it is worn away without yielding any profit. Let each of us, therefore, consider what gift he possesses, that he may diligently apply it to use. He says that grace was _given _to him _by prophecy. How _was this? It was because, as we have already said, the Holy Spirit marked out Timothy by revelation, that he might be admitted into the rank of pastors; for he had not only been chosen by the judgment of men, in the ordinary way, bu

11-16 Men's youth will not be despised, if they keep from vanities and follies. Those who teach by their doctrine, must teach by their life. Their discourse must be edifying; their conversation must be holy; they must be examples of love to God and all good men, examples of spiritual-mindedness. Ministers must mind these things as their principal work and business. By this means their profiting will appear in all things, as well as to all persons; this is the way to profit in knowledge and grace, and also to profit others. The doctrine of a minister of Christ must be scriptural, clear, evangelical, and practical; well stated, explained, defended, and applied. But these duties leave no leisure for wordly pleasures, trifling visits, or idle conversation, and but little for what is mere amusement, and only ornamental. May every believer be enabled to let his profiting appear unto all men;...

Verse 14. _NEGLECT NOT THE GIFT THAT IS IN THEE_] The word χαρισμα here must refer to the _gifts_ and _graces_ of the _Divine_ _Spirit_, which Timothy received when set apart to the work of an evangelist by the imposition of _St. Paul's hands_, 2 Timothy 1:6, and by that of the _presbytery_ or _eldership_; for it most evidently appears, from this verse and that above quoted, that he received this double _imposition_, not probably at _different_ times, but on one and the same occasion. These very gifts and graces might be _improved_; and we have reason to believe, if not improved, would be withdrawn by the great Head of the Church. _GIVEN THEE BY PROPHECY_] It has already been conjectured (see the _preface_, and _see the note on Clarke "_

NEGLECT NOT THE GIFT THAT IS IN THEE - An important question arises here, to what the word “gift” refers; whether to natural endowment; to office; or to some supposed virtue which had been conferred by ordination - some transmitted influence which made him holy as a minister of religion, and which was to continue to be transmitted by the imposition of apostolic hands. The word which is here used, is rendered “gift” in every place in which it occurs in the New Testament. It is found in the following places, and with the following significations: deliverance from peril, 2 Corinthians 1:11; a gift or quality of the mind, 1 Corinthians 7:7; gifts of Christian knowledge or consolation,...

EXPOSITION 1 TIMOTHY 4:1 _But _for _now_,_ _A.V.; _saith _for _speaketh_,_ _A.V.;_ later _for _the latter_,_ _A.V.;_ fall away _for _depart_,_ _A.V. THE SPIRIT SAITH EXPRESSLY (ῥητῶς);_ _only here in the New Testament, and very rare in classical Greek. But the adjective ῥητός, in the sense of something "laid down," "definite.... expressly mentioned," is common. It was, doubtless, on account of these prophetic warnings of a falling away from the faith, that the apostle gave the preceding heads of Christian doctrine in such a terse and tangible form, and laid such a solemn charge upon Timothy. (For examples of these prophetic utterances, see Acts 11:28;...

NEGLECT NOT THE GIFT THAT IS IN THEE,.... What qualifies men for the work of the ministry is a gift from God: it is not of nature, nor is it mere natural abilities and capacity; nor is it any thing acquired, it is not human learning, or the knowledge of languages, arts, and sciences; nor is it special saving grace; for a man may have all these, and yet not be apt to teach, or fit for the ministry; but it is a peculiar and distinct gift, it is a gift of interpreting the Scriptures, and of dispensing the mysteries of grace to the edification of others; which, when it meets in a man with all the rest before mentioned, makes him very considerable: and this gift is in a man; it is a treasure put into earthen vessels, a good treasure in the heart, out of which a good minister of Christ brings forth many good things, things new and old, both for the delight and profit of men: and this gift is b...

IV. CONCERNING THE LATTER-DAY APOSTASY CHAPTER 4 _ 1. What the Spirit has predicted (1 Timothy 4:1)_ 2. The remedies against apostasy (1 Timothy 4:6) 1 Timothy 4:1 The mystery of godliness having been mentioned, the apostle speaks of Satan's power in opposition to the faith and truth of God (the mystery of godliness here, and the mystery of iniquity in 2 Thessalonians). “But the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.” It is a prophetic warning. Paul had given a similar warning to the Ephesian elders gathered at Miletus a number of years before, and elsewhere in the New Testament t

THE TREATMENT NEEDED. Timothy must meet the errors by (_a)_ personal example (1 Timothy 4:6) and (_b_) diligent teaching (1 Timothy 4:11). In combating error he must continually draw his strength from the doctrinal statements hitherto followed by him. The silly myths that are current (1 Timothy 1:3 *) he must reject. The fully-developed asceticism of 1 Timothy 4:3 lies in the future, but in these fables its _principles_ are already contained. Let him furtner counteract the evil by himself exhibiting the _true_ self-discipline that which aims at producing piety. For a reliable truth while mere bodily s

THE SERVICE OF GOD OR THE SERVICE OF SATAN (1 Timothy 4:1-5)...