The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Timothy — Section 90

Ver. 14.-The duty of improving tl,e Divine gifts of ea;hortation and teachi11g. "Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee through prophecy, with laying on of the hands of the presbytery." L THE SPIRITUAL GIFT CONFERRED ON TrnoTHY. 1. It is not mere intellect'Ual equipment, nor the mere possession of Divine grace, but the gift which q'Ualified Timotlty for preaching the gospel. " For the work of an evangelist." It was a gift of interpreting the Scriptures, of dispensing the mysteries of grace with edification, of bringing forth things new and old out of the good treasure of a holy heart informed with truth. 2. It was a gift conferred by means of prophecy. The Holy Spirit had, by one or more of the prophets, declared his will t,o confer this gift upon Timothy. The prophecy was the Divine assurance as to Timothy's qualifications. 3. The response to this Divine act is signified by the action of tl,e presbytery in formally designating him to his special ministerial work. IL THE DUTY OF EXERCISING A1'"D IMPROVING THIS GIFT. "Neglect not the gift that is in thee." There were several reaso,,s to enforce this duty. 1. The prophetic declaration accompanud by the r,oncurrence of the whole body of presbyters would fill his mind with a sense of hie high privilege and great responsibility in the posse88ion of such a gift. £. The exercise of a gift is the only method of preventing its wmplete lapse. The disuse of a limb causes it to decay. All faculties must be kept bright and vivid by constant exercise. 3. Our Lord, by the parabl,e of the talents, ttadu·s us the sin and danger of hiding our talent 'USelessly in the ground.-T. C. Vera. 15, 16.-The necessity of a minister giving his whole energies to his work. The apostle here concludes hie solemn instructions to his chosen representative at l~phesue. I. THE DUTY OF BEING MINDFUL A?-'D DEVOTED TO ONE'S MINISTRY. "The~e things do thou care for : be in them.'' 1. .A ministers heart ought to be anxious about kis work. It is this anxiety that secures the efficiency of work in this world. But the minister's concern is full of an inspiring zeal for God's honour, and is sustained by encouraging promises of help from on high. 2. .A minister ought to devote liimself ezelusively to his work. "Be in them." 'l'he obstacles to this devotion are (1) sloth- fulness, (2) 11 orldliness, (3) the pressure of duties right in themselves, but lying outside the sphere of the ministry. II. THE MOTIVE FOR THIS EXCLUSIVE DEVOTION. "That thy progress may appear to all." 1. '17,is does wt imply that Timothy was to have excl11sive re,qard to his right stav.di11g with the Cl,urcl,. This might be a questionable motive. 2. It implies that his devotio11 to his work sl,ould be so altogether conspicuous that -it could not lmt be seen by all. JIJ. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE PERSONAL L;FE AND THF. OFFICIAL WORK OF THE MINISTER. "Take heed to thyself and to the teaching; continue in them: for in ~o doing thou sbalt save both thyself and them that henr thee." 1. The direct object of tl~ ,,.inister of the gotpel, itJ the Balvation of soul,. 2. This ,aliiation comes by lieari'll9 0B, IV, 1-16.] THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY. 79