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Matthew 25:14-30
Forthe kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country,who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods…

Luke 19:12-26
He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return…

Romans 12:6-8
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy,let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; …

which.

1 Timothy 1:18
This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

with.

1 Timothy 5:22
Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

Acts 6:6
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laidtheir hands on them.

Acts 8:17
Then laid theytheir hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

which was given you through the prophecy
In the New Testament context, prophecy often involved a direct revelation from God, sometimes concerning future events or specific guidance. The mention of prophecy here indicates that Timothy's gift was recognized and affirmed through a prophetic message. This reflects the practice in the early church where leaders and members would receive prophetic words that confirmed God's calling and gifting, as seen inActs 13:1-3 with the commissioning of Paul and Barnabas. Prophecy served as a means of divine confirmation and encouragement for individuals in their ministry roles.

spoken over you at the laying on of the hands
The laying on of hands is a significant biblical practice symbolizing the impartation of blessing, authority, or the Holy Spirit. In the context of Timothy's ministry, it likely refers to his ordination or commissioning for service. This practice is rooted in both Old and New Testament traditions, such as the commissioning of Joshua by Moses inDeuteronomy 34:9 and the appointment of deacons inActs 6:6. It signifies a formal recognition and empowerment for ministry, often accompanied by prayer and prophetic words.

of the elders
The elders in the early church were leaders responsible for teaching, shepherding, and overseeing the congregation. Their involvement in the laying on of hands underscores the communal and authoritative aspect of Timothy's commissioning. Elders were typically mature believers with a deep understanding of the faith, as outlined in1 Timothy 3:1-7 andTitus 1:5-9. Their role in this process highlights the importance of church leadership in recognizing and affirming spiritual gifts and callings within the body of Christ.

Paul’s opening charge is personal and urgent. Timothy already possesses a God-given spiritual gift, and the apostle tells him, “Do not neglect it.” Comparable reminders appear when Paul later writes, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you” (2 Timothy 1:6). The implication is straightforward:

•Spiritual gifts can be underused or ignored. Paul uses “neglect” to describe passive drift, not outright rebellion (Hebrews 2:3).

•Gifts are entrusted for the good of others: “To each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7).

•Diligence is the antidote. Peter echoes this: “Each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others” (1 Peter 4:10).

•Because gifts differ—prophecy, teaching, mercy, leadership, etc. (Romans 12:6-8)—Timothy must discover, cultivate, and deploy his particular endowment.

Timothy’s gift came “through the prophecy,” meaning God used prophetic utterance to identify and confirm it. Scripture gives a similar scene: “In keeping with the prophecies once made about you, fight the good fight” (1 Timothy 1:18). What this tells us:

•Prophecy in the New Testament often affirms God’s call.Acts 13:1-3 describes prophets in Antioch declaring Barnabas and Saul’s missionary assignment.

•Prophetic words do not create gifts but spotlight what the Spirit is already granting; they provide clarity and courage.

•Genuine prophecy aligns with Scripture, is recognized by church leadership, and produces fruit, never confusion (1 Corinthians 14:29-33).

The means God used was the public act of ordination: elders laying hands on Timothy. This pattern stretches across the New Testament:

•Commissioning servants: “They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them” (Acts 6:6).

•Sending missionaries: “After they had fasted and prayed, they laid hands on them and sent them off” (Acts 13:3).

•Appointing leaders: Paul and Barnabas “appointed elders for them in every church” (Acts 14:23).

The plurality of “elders” highlights shared oversight. Laying on of hands symbolizes identification, blessing, and a tangible conduit for God’s grace (2 Timothy 1:6 again notes Paul’s personal involvement). It is both an impartation moment and an official recognition of Timothy’s ministry before the congregation.

Paul urges Timothy to value and exercise his Spirit-bestowed gift. That gift was pinpointed through prophetic revelation and publicly affirmed when church elders laid hands on him. Together, these elements teach that God sovereignly equips believers, the church confirms and commissions, and each recipient must actively steward what the Lord has entrusted.

With the laying on of the hands.--This was a symbolic action--the outward sign of an inward communication of the Holy Spirit for some spiritual office or undertaking--and was derived from the old solemn Hebrew custom. (SeeNumbers 8:10 in the case of the consecration of the Levites, andNumbers 27:18,Deuteronomy 34:9 in the ceremony of the dedication of Joshua.)

Of the presbytery.--The brotherhood of presbyters connected with the place where the ordination of Timothy took place is here alluded to. There appears to have been such a body of elders in each particular city or district. The presbytery in this instance would seem in all probability to have belonged to the district of Lystra, Timothy's native city; but an old ecclesiastical tradition speaks of Ephesus as the place of this ordination.