2 Timothy 1:6-10

 

2 Tim 1:6 (KJB)

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

 

Stir up - To rekindle, rouse up, or to fan into flame

 

Timothy, like every Christian, had a spiritual gift and Timothy’s was the gift of being a pastor. Paul was now stating that Timothy needed not to get another spiritual gift but to fan the gift he had from a smoldering patch to a full blown fire. Timothy was to use the spiritual gift which God gave him and to use it to the fullest extent. Timothy did not receive his spiritual gift because Paul laid hands on him. The hand laying was Paul’s way of saying that Timothy definitely had the gift of pastor and well-qualified to lead the church at Ephesus. Sometimes a Christian grows cold and believes they do not have the qualifications to get involved in ministry. Paul is giving a principle that every Christian has been given a spiritual gift at the moment of salvation and instead of looking at someone else’s ministry or gift, we need to be reminded that we need to exercise the spiritual gift which we were given. God empowers us according to the spiritual gift He has given us and not according to the gift of another Christian. If you are not sure about what gift you have, please go to my study entitled “Keys to Finding Your Spiritual Gifts” at www.scionofzion.com./keys.htm

 

2 Tim 1:7 (KJB)

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 

Of fear - Cowardice or timidity

Of a sound mind - A mind of self-control or prudence

 

Paul connects this verse with the previous concerning spiritual gifts and the use of them. Since it was the Holy Spirit who placed the spiritual gifts in us, we are to use them in the power of God which accompanies them, with the love of concern for those who are hearing us speak, and the sound mind of interpreting the Bible and bringing the message. This verse is very clear that “fear” is not one of the spiritual gifts. We are not to approach any phase of ministry in the spirit of cowardice because the false religions do not withhold anything when they disseminate their views. What would have happened if Martin Luther had feared to post his 95 Theses on the door at Wittenburg? There would have been no reformation and we would all have statues in our homes today. What about William Tyndale when he was martyred for his Bible? Tyndale’s Bible became one of the forerunners of the King James Bible. When he was being martyred in 1536, he stated those famous words as he prayed to God, “Open the eyes of the King of England” and 68 years later in 1604 the Lord did just that with the Hampton Court Conference which gave birth to the King James Bible. It is also interesting that we find this verse in Psalm 68. (Psa 68:11 KJV) The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. So never think your prayers go unanswered, God’s timing is not yours, so trust Him and continue to be bold for the sake of the Gospel. Remember if you are timid and the false religions are bold, their message of hell will gain hearing while the only Gospel which saves will be silent. Let it never be!

 

2 Tim 1:8 (KJB)

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

 

Partaker of the afflictions - Suffer together with or endure hardship together with

 

Since God has given us the power to do ministry along with a sound mind, we must never be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord. Along with that Paul is saying that just because I am in prison, do not be ashamed of me either. Just a personal note here. I personally know David Berkowitz who used to be the Son of Sam and since he has become a very vibrant Christian, I am not ashamed of who he is as a brother in the Lord. His history has been totally forgiven and even though he is in prison for life, I feel no shame in calling him brother. Keep in mind God saves people in different situations and that results in different ministries. David’s ministry in that prison is to many of the most hardened criminals. We must never be ashamed of true Christians who are great testimonies but in unpleasant circumstances. Think of all the Christians in communist, Islamic, and Hindu countries who have faced martyrdom.

 

So if Timothy was to be ashamed of the ministry of Paul because he was in prison, then he was truly not assessing the life of Paul and where the Lord saved him and brought him from and to. Timothy was probably very timid to the point of denying the Lord with his tongue but not in his heart and this is why Paul wanted him to stir up that gift and be a very enthusiastic witness for Christ. Paul goes on to say that Timothy needed to be a partaker of the sufferings which both Christ and Paul had endured. If Timothy was to understand what Christ faced and what Paul was now facing, he needed to be in the fight for the truth. Paul’s imprisonment happened because of his testimony of the Gospel. (1 Tim 6:13 KJV) I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; The Lord Jesus knew what was in store for Him yet kept his testimony strong and true before Pilate. Paul is basically stating that Timothy is no exception. If he will be a strong witness for the Gospel, then he too will be persecuted.

 

2 Tim 1:9 (KJB)

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

 

Paul continues the thread from the last verse as he states that God has saved us and the type of calling we have is not a religious calling but a true holy calling. Whenever we bring the gospel to people, it is a very holy event because the word of God is being spoken or discussed and He is thrice holy. The verse then declares that we are not saved and called because of any type of works which we do and that religious works describes every false religion on this earth. Religion is where man tries to get right with God on his own terms but Christianity is God making it right with His elect on His terms and purpose. Salvation would come only through grace and never the keeping of the law in any form. Before the world was created God had already named a people that He was going to save. (Rev 17:8 KJV) The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. God had placed into every believer a purpose for their existence which was to be manifest through the indwelling Holy Spirit after a person became saved through their spiritual gifts, which is what Paul had told Timothy to stir up. We can look at Ephesians 4:11-12. (Eph 4:11-12 KJV) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; {12} For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: We can see the general reason for the giving of these gifts as perfecting the Saints and for edifying the body of Christ. How these things would be worked out in the lives of individuals would be according to the will of God. The word “will” can also be understood as “purpose.” So the purposes of God for the believer is fulfilled in their individual ministries.

 

2 Tim 1:10 (KJB)

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

 

The teaching continues from verse 9. Even though the life and purpose of the believer was planned before the foundation of the world, it was not manifest in their lives until the Lord Jesus Christ had died on Calvary and then 50 days later came the gift of the Holy Spirit into every believer and with that indwelling came the spiritual gifts which the believer is to use in the kingdom of God. The cross of Christ had abolished death, that is, the physical body goes into the ground but the soul and spirit of the believer go directly to Heaven. (John 11:26 KJV) And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? There is no way that anyone’s works could ever establish eternal life as Christ did through His sacrifice on Calvary. He brought life (John 3:15 KJV) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. and immortality (1 Cor 15:54 KJV) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. through the Gospel which is only in Christ Jesus. What was hidden in years past was now openly proclaimed in the light to the whole world and this is what Paul wanted Timothy to proclaim and as he would do it, his boldness in the gospel would grow and timidity would be a thing of the past.

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