1 Timothy 4:14

“Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you”: Note that even spiritual gifts, and miraculous abilities could be misused (1 Corinthians 12:1; 1 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Corinthians 14:1) or neglected completely. This “gift” was not. natural talent, but. miraculous gift or ability (1 Corinthians 12:4; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Corinthians 12:28; 1 Corinthians 12:30). Timothy was. faithful man, but he may not have been using this spiritual gift as much as was needed in Ephesus. The statement “do not neglect” is in the present imperative; this construction prohibits the continuance of an action already going on.

1 Timothy 4:14 “Which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance”: How Timothy received this gift or what took place at the same time is now described. When Timothy received this spiritual gift, prophetic utterances were made (not by Timothy), but by others. Compare with 1 Timothy 1:18. It could be that when the gift was given,. prophet revealed to Timothy the nature of the gift and or what Timothy would accomplish if he was faithful.

1 Timothy 4:14 “With the laying on of hands by the presbytery”: The term “with” denotes association, accompaniment, and the attendant circumstances. The verse is not teaching that the elders (presbytery) gave him the gift, but rather when the gift was given at the same time the elders laid their hands upon him setting him apart for the work of an evangelist. The term “presbytery” means “body of elders”. There were elders in the region where Timothy was converted (Acts 14:21; Acts 14:23; Acts 16:1). From 2 Timothy 1:6 we learn that Timothy had received this gift “through” the laying on of Paul's hands. Compare with Acts 8:18; Acts 19:6; Acts 6:6.