1 Timothy 4:14

KJV

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

KJV (with Strong's)

Neglect {G272} not {G3361} the gift {G5486} that is in {G1722} thee {G4671}, which {G3739} was given {G1325} thee {G4671} by {G1223} prophecy {G4394}, with {G3326} the laying on {G1936} of the hands {G5495} of the presbytery {G4244}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Do not neglect your gift, which you were given through a prophecy when the body of elders gave you s’mikhah.

Berean Standard Bible

Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.

American Standard Version

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul’s admonition in 1 Timothy 4:14 serves as a vital charge to Timothy, urging him to diligently cultivate and utilize the spiritual gift bestowed upon him. This verse highlights the dual nature of divine gifting: its origin through prophetic revelation and its public confirmation through the communal laying on of hands by the presbytery, underscoring both God’s sovereign calling and the church’s corporate affirmation of ministry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [1 Timothy 4:14](/1_timothy/4-14 "1 Timothy 4:14 - Neglect Not Your Gift") is situated within Paul's first letter to Timothy, a young leader whom Paul had entrusted with significant pastoral responsibilities in Ephesus. The immediate preceding verses (e.g., [1 Timothy 4:11-13](/1_timothy/4-11-13 "1 Timothy 4:11-13 - Charge to Timothy")) emphasize Timothy's conduct, teaching, and public reading of Scripture, setting the stage for the imperative to not neglect his spiritual endowment. Paul is urging Timothy to live up to his calling and to be an example to believers, especially in light of the false teachings and ascetic practices that were emerging (cf. [1 Timothy 4:1-5](/1_timothy/4-1-5 "1 Timothy 4:1-5 - Warnings Against False Teachers")). This verse, therefore, reinforces the necessity of Timothy's spiritual equipping for the weighty task of leading and teaching the Ephesian church.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Written around A.D. 62-64, [1 Timothy](/1_timothy/1 "1 Timothy - Paul's First Letter to Timothy") is one of the Pastoral Epistles, reflecting Paul’s concern for church order, sound doctrine, and leadership development in the nascent Christian communities. The practice of "laying on of hands" was a well-established custom in both Jewish and early Christian traditions, signifying various acts such as blessing (e.g., [Genesis 48:14](/genesis/48-14 "Genesis 48:14 - Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh")), healing (e.g., [Mark 6:5](/mark/6-5 "Jesus Heals in Nazareth")), or the impartation of spiritual authority and gifts for ministry (e.g., [Acts 6:6](/acts/6-6 "Acts 6:6 - Appointment of the Seven")). The "presbytery" (πρεσβυτέριον) refers to the council or body of elders (πρεσβύτεροι) who held significant leadership roles in the early church, responsible for teaching, governing, and shepherding the flock. Their involvement in Timothy's commissioning underscored the communal recognition and corporate endorsement of his divine calling, a crucial element in a culture that valued public affirmation and communal identity.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes found throughout [1 Timothy](/1_timothy/1 "1 Timothy - Paul's First Letter to Timothy") and the broader New Testament. Foremost is the theme of **Stewardship of Spiritual Gifts**, emphasizing that divine endowments are not to be passively received but actively cultivated and deployed for God's purposes, specifically for the edification of the church (cf. [1 Peter 4:10](/1_peter/4-10 "1 Peter 4:10 - Stewardship of God's Grace")). Another prominent theme is **Divine Calling and Commissioning**, highlighting that Timothy's ministry was divinely initiated ("by prophecy") and publicly affirmed by the church's leadership ("with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery"). This speaks to the **Authority and Role of Church Leadership**, particularly the elders, in discerning and confirming those called to ministry, ensuring accountability and proper order within the body of Christ, as further elaborated in [Titus 1:5-9](/titus/1-5-9 "Titus 1:5-9 - Qualifications for Elders").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Neglect (Greek, _ameléō'_):** From G272, meaning "to be careless of; make light of, neglect, be negligent, no regard." This strong prohibition indicates that Timothy was not merely to avoid forgetting his gift, but actively to guard against indifference, idleness, or a lack of diligence in its exercise. It implies a conscious choice to prioritize and cultivate the spiritual endowment rather than allowing it to lie dormant or be undervalued.
* **gift (Greek, _chárisma'_):** From G5486, meaning "a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a (spiritual) endowment, i.e. (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty:--(free) gift." This term specifically denotes a gift of grace, a supernatural enablement or endowment from God, given for the benefit of others and the building up of the church, not for personal aggrandizement. In Timothy's case, it likely refers to his specific aptitudes for teaching, preaching, and leadership.
* **presbytery (Greek, _presbytérion'_):** From G4244, meaning "the order of elders, i.e. (specially), Israelite Sanhedrin or Christian 'presbytery':--(estate of) elder(-s), presbytery." This word refers to the collective body of elders or senior leaders within the church. Their involvement signifies the communal and authoritative recognition of Timothy's calling and the impartation of a spiritual gift, underscoring the corporate nature of ordination and commissioning in the early church.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neglect not the gift that is in thee":** This opening imperative is a direct command from Paul to Timothy, urging him to actively steward and utilize the spiritual endowment residing within him. The "gift" (charisma) is an inherent spiritual capacity or ability given by God, and the command is to avoid carelessness, indifference, or idleness concerning its use. It implies a continuous, diligent application of this divine enablement for ministry.
* **"which was given thee by prophecy":** This clause clarifies the divine origin and specific manner of the gift's bestowal. The gift was not merely a natural talent but a supernatural endowment, explicitly affirmed or revealed through prophetic utterance. This suggests a direct divine communication or confirmation of Timothy's calling and gifting, perhaps at a significant moment in his spiritual journey or commissioning.
* **"with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery":** This final phrase describes the public, communal, and authoritative confirmation of the gift. The "laying on of hands" by the "presbytery" (the body of elders) was a symbolic act signifying endorsement, commissioning, and the impartation or recognition of spiritual authority. It indicates that Timothy's divine calling was not only prophetically revealed but also corporately affirmed and consecrated by the recognized leadership of the church, providing a visible and tangible sign of his ordination.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Admonition**, as Paul issues a direct, imperative command to Timothy ("Neglect not..."). This serves to underscore the urgency and importance of the instruction. There is also an element of **Emphasis** through the dual confirmation of the gift's origin: both "by prophecy" (divine revelation) and "with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery" (communal affirmation). This double attestation highlights the undeniable authenticity and weight of Timothy's calling. Furthermore, the phrase "laying on of the hands" functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where "hands" symbolize the authority, blessing, and spiritual impartation of the elders.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the biblical understanding of spiritual gifts, their divine origin, and their communal affirmation. It teaches that God sovereignly bestows specific endowments upon individuals for the building up of His church, and these gifts are not to be taken lightly or left unused. The combination of prophecy and the laying on of hands by the presbytery underscores the complementary roles of divine revelation and corporate discernment in recognizing and commissioning individuals for ministry. This practice ensures that ministry is not merely a self-appointed endeavor but one that is divinely initiated and ecclesially affirmed, reflecting God's orderly design for His body. The theological implication is that every believer, especially those in leadership, is accountable to God and the community for the diligent stewardship of the grace given to them.

* [2 Timothy 1:6](/2_timothy/1-6 "2 Timothy 1:6 - Stir Up Your Gift")
* [Romans 12:6-8](/romans/12-6-8 "Romans 12:6-8 - Diverse Gifts")
* [1 Corinthians 12:4-11](/1_corinthians/12-4-11 "1 Corinthians 12:4-11 - Gifts of the Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Timothy 4:14](/1_timothy/4-14 "1 Timothy 4:14 - Neglect Not Your Gift") serves as a timeless call to faithful stewardship for all believers, not just those in vocational ministry. Each Christian has been uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit for the common good of the church and the advancement of God's kingdom. To "neglect" a gift is to diminish its potential impact, to deprive the body of Christ of its intended benefit, and ultimately, to dishonor the Giver. This verse challenges us to move beyond passive acknowledgment of our gifts to active cultivation and courageous deployment, even when it requires stepping out of our comfort zones. It reminds us that our spiritual endowments are not for personal gain or glory, but for service, bearing fruit that glorifies God and builds up His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What spiritual gifts do I believe God has given me, and how am I currently using them?**
* **In what areas of my life or ministry might I be "neglecting" a gift God has placed within me?**
* **How can I actively cultivate and grow in my spiritual gifts through practice, study, and prayer?**
* **How does the communal affirmation of gifts, as seen with the presbytery, inform my understanding of ministry within the church today?**

### FAQ
**What exactly is "the gift" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: "The gift" (Greek: _charisma_) refers to a spiritual endowment or special ability given by God through the Holy Spirit. While it could encompass Timothy's natural aptitudes, the context suggests it is a supernatural enablement for ministry, such as teaching, preaching, or leadership, specifically given to him for his role in the church at Ephesus. It is not merely a talent, but a divine empowerment for service.

**What is the significance of the gift being given "by prophecy" and "with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery"?**

Answer: This dual description highlights both the divine origin and the communal confirmation of Timothy's gifting and calling. "By prophecy" suggests that God directly revealed or affirmed Timothy's specific calling and gifting through prophetic utterance, perhaps during a significant moment of his commissioning. "With the laying on of the hands of the presbytery" signifies the public, authoritative, and communal endorsement by the body of elders (church leaders). This act served as a visible sign of their recognition, affirmation, and perhaps impartation of spiritual authority and blessing for his ministry, underscoring the importance of corporate discernment and commissioning in the early church (cf. [Acts 13:1-3](/acts/13-1-3 "Acts 13:1-3 - Barnabas and Saul Sent Out")).

**Does this verse mean that all spiritual gifts are given through the laying on of hands?**

Answer: Not necessarily all. While the laying on of hands was a common practice for commissioning and impartation in the early church, particularly for those entering specific ministries (e.g., [Acts 6:6](/acts/6-6 "Acts 6:6 - Appointment of the Seven")), the Bible also indicates that the Holy Spirit distributes gifts "as he wills" ([1 Corinthians 12:11](/1_corinthians/12-11 "1 Corinthians 12:11 - Distribution of Gifts")). This verse specifically describes how Timothy's gift was confirmed, which included this practice, but it doesn't establish it as the exclusive method for all spiritual gifts to be received by every believer. The primary emphasis is on the divine origin of the gift and the importance of its diligent use.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Timothy 4:14](/1_timothy/4-14 "1 Timothy 4:14 - Neglect Not Your Gift"), while a direct charge to Timothy, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the Church and the Giver of all spiritual gifts. It is through His finished work on the cross and His ascension that Christ poured out the Holy Spirit, empowering His church with diverse gifts for its mission (cf. [Ephesians 4:7-11](/ephesians/4-7-11 "Ephesians 4:7-11 - Christ's Gifts to the Church")). Jesus Himself was the epitome of one who faithfully stewarded His divine commission, never neglecting the Father's will or the power given to Him to accomplish redemption (cf. [John 17:4](/john/17-4 "John 17:4 - Jesus Glorifies the Father")). As believers, we are united with Christ, and the gifts we receive are manifestations of His grace working through us, enabling us to participate in His ongoing ministry in the world. Therefore, our diligent stewardship of these gifts is an act of worship and obedience to Christ, who not only bestows them but also empowers us by His Spirit to use them for the glory of God and the building up of His body, the Church, which is His very own (cf. [Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ is the Head of the Body")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Timothy 1:6

¶ 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.

1 Peter 4:9

Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

1 Peter 4:11

If any man speak, [let him speak] as the oracles of God; if any man minister, [let him do it] as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

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;

Acts 6:6

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them.

1 Thessalonians 5:19

Quench not the Spirit.

1 Timothy 5:22

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