2 Timothy, Part Four
The Challenge: Use What God Has Given You
2 Timothy 1v6-7
5th June 2026
In the opening verses of this letter, Paul has been encouraging Timothy in various ways, finishing in verse 5, where Paul writes about Timothy's sincere faith. After all this encouragement, Paul now issues the challenge:
2 Timothy 1v6
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is
in you through the laying on of my hands.
Because Paul is convinced that Timothy has a sincere faith, he reminds him to flame into flame the gift of God, which is in you. God had given Timothy a specific gift, and he should use it. He can be trusted to administrate this gift responsibly, not to use it for personal gain or to advance a personal agenda, but to serve God and His church. Sincerity is more valuable than power. A determination to trust God, follow God, and act in a godly way at all times, is more valuable than the ability to work miracles.
There has been speculation about the nature of the gift Paul is writing about. Some more conservative commentators think it's the gift of being a pastor (see Ephesians 4v11). Some more charismatic commentators think it's one of the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12. We don't know. I suggest the following hermeneutic: When the Bible is vague, that's because God, who wrote the Bible, wants it to be vague. Whatever gift Timothy had, Paul rightly encourages him to use it. Whatever God has given you, be encouraged to use it.
Many, many Christians today use their God-given gifts less than they used to. Busyness, hurt, rejection, disappointment or sin can cause us to neglect the spiritual power God has given us. But the work of God's kingdom, encouraging and nurturing the saints and reaching out to the world, must continue, and God has called us to be involved, and to use the gifts He has given us. Many of us need to hear Paul's exhortation again: "fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you".
How do we do this? John Gill says in his commentary here, "the gifts of the Spirit… are compared to fire: see Matthew 3:11 and these may be reinflamed or increased, when they seem on the decline, by reading, meditation, prayer, and the frequent exercise of them." I would add that we should seek to be as open as possible to the Holy Spirit. Be responsive to His promptings. Actively seek Him. Ask God to give you opportunity to use your gift, and to inspire you to use it well.
I would also add that it is helpful and encouraging to be in an environment which nurtures and encourages your gift. If your gift is prophecy, for example, spend some time with Christians who welcome and expect prophecy. If your gift is speaking in tongues, spend some time with Christians who also speak in tongues. If your gift is being a pastor, make sure somebody is being your pastor.
This language of fanning a gift into flames reminds us of John the Baptist's prophecy:
Matthew 3v11
"I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is
mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you
with the Holy Spirit and fire."
It also reminds us of the first Christian Pentecost:
Acts 2v1-4
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.
And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it
filled the entire house where they were sitting.
And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other
tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Paul says that Timothy's gift was in [him] through the laying on of my hands. It is an excellent practice to lay hands on one another while praying for the baptism in the Holy Spirit, for spiritual gifts, for healing, and for ordination to a role in the church, particularly the role of pastor. Nonetheless, the laying on of hands is not compulsory, and spiritual gifts are often imparted to us by God without the laying on of hands. One way is not more valid than the other; both are God-given.
This way of receiving the gift shows us that, whatever gift it was, it was supernatural. It enabled him to do something that he could not achieve by his own human abilities.
2 Timothy 1v7
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love
and self-discipline.
Many of God's people, including many pastors and other leaders, are naturally timid people. They are poor in spirit, humble, meek, gentle. They're not pushy or self-confident. But the Holy Spirit enables us to overcome our natural timidity.
The Holy Spirit does not make us timid. He's not a Spirit of fear. Our timidity doesn't come from Him. Life on earth, abuse, pain, disappointment, bullying and injustice have made us timid. The Holy Spirit comes to set us free. Whenever the Holy Spirit inspires us to do something in the Name of Jesus, He will give us the courage we need to obey Him.
The exercise of any Spiritual gift involves power, of course. The responsible exercise of any Spiritual gift also includes love and self-discipline.
We need power; not our own weak, fleshly, human power but God's supernatural power. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Power. We can pray:
Acts 4v29-30
"Now, Lord, … enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the
name of your holy servant Jesus."
We need love:
1 Corinthians 13v1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a
noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all
knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not
love, I am nothing.
If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but
have not love, I gain nothing.
How dare we exercise any gift in the name of Jesus Christ if we're not motivated by love for God? How dare we exercise any gift such as preaching, teaching or prophecy if we're not filled with love for the people we're serving? Our God-given gifts are not for our self-aggrandisement but for God's kingdom and God's people.
We need self-discipline in all aspects of our Christian lives but Paul is currently writing about self-discipline in the use of our God-given gifts. A pastor needs a great deal of self-control when dealing with those within the church and outside who oppose him and, God and the Gospel. For us all, the exercise of spiritual gifts must always be in accordance with:
1 Corinthians 14v32
… the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
1 Corinthians 14v40
… all things should be done decently and in order.
Let us all seek God, asking Him to fill us with the Spirit of power, love and self-control, that we might be effective witnesses to His love, goodness and power.