2 Timothy 1:6

6 You received a gift from God when I placed my hands on you [to ordain you]. Now I'm reminding you to fan that gift into flames.

2 Timothy 1:6 Meaning and Commentary

2 Timothy 1:6

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance
Because of the great affection the apostle had for Timothy, and because of that confidence he had of him, that unfeigned faith dwelt in him, as well as because this had had a place in his relations before him; he therefore acts the part of a kind monitor to him, and, upon these considerations, doubts not of succeeding in his following admonition:

that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee;
by "the gift" is meant his ministerial gift; for what qualifies men for the ministry, is not anything natural in them, nor acquired by them, but what is given unto them, and that of God: and this was "in" him; it continued with him; it was not lost by him, nor taken from him, as gifts may be, when they are not used; and yet it seems as if there was some decline, some backwardness and indifference as to the exercise of it: he might be too remiss, negligent, and forgetful of it; wherefore the apostle puts him in mind to "stir" it up: there is in the word used a metaphor taken from coals of fire covered with ashes, as if almost extinct, and need to be blown up into a flame, and a very apt one it is; since the gifts of the Spirit, especially his extraordinary ones, such as ministers in those times had, are compared to fire: see ( Matthew 3:11 ) ( Acts 2:3 ) and these may be reinflamed or increased, when they seem on the decline, by reading, meditation, prayer, and the frequent exercise of them. Agreeably to this the Arabic version renders it, "that thou kindle the fire of the gift of God which is in thee"; and the rather the apostle took this freedom with Timothy, not only because of his superior age and office, but because this gift was through his means;

by the putting on of my hands;
though not alone, but with the rest of the presbytery; (See Gill on 1 Timothy 4:14).

2 Timothy 1:6 In-Context

4 I remember your tears and want to see you so that I can be filled with happiness.

5 I'm reminded of how sincere your faith is. That faith first lived in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice. I'm convinced that it also lives in you.

6 You received a gift from God when I placed my hands on you [to ordain you]. Now I'm reminding you to fan that gift into flames.

7 God didn't give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment.

8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord or be ashamed of me, his prisoner. Instead, by God's power, join me in suffering for the sake of the Good News.