1 Timothy 4:14 – Timothy’s charisma

Neglect not the gracious gift which is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the imposition of the hands of the eldership.

The gracious gift here, the charisma is literally translated as a ‘grace effect’. The grace (= joy freely) that people hear in the Gospel may be the same for everyone, but its effects in people’s lives are very different. Every person has their own talents, capabilities, but also their own unique background and circumstances.

When Paul met young Timothy in Derbe and Lystra and heard the good testimony the brothers there gave about him, he immediately wanted to take him with him on his journey (Acts 16:1-3). Was Paul convinced by one or more prophecies (1:18) spoken about Timothy? These types of prophecies were still very prevalent in those days (1Cor.13:8).

It must have been during one of those moments that a number of older brothers (from the synagogues?) laid their hands on Timothy. Paul was also there (2Tim.1:6). The prophecy spoken about Timothy became a guideline for the rest of his life. The charisma had been stirred up in him and Paul reminds him of this again and again (2Tim.1:6). The spoken word has proven completely true in Timothy’s ministry. Until the end, he was one of Paul’s most loyal co-workers.

Delen: