1Ti 4:14 | RWP | e4.org | Neglect not ( μη αμελε ). Present active imperative in prohibition of αμελεω , old verb, rare in N.T. ( ; ; ; ). From αμελης ( α privative and μελε , not to care). Use with genitive. The gift that is in thee ( του εν σο χαρισματος ). Late word of result from χαριζομα , in papyri (Preisigke), a regular Pauline word in N.T. ( ; ; ; etc.). Here it is God's gift to Timothy as in . By prophecy ( δια προφητειας ). Accompanied by prophecy ( ), not bestowed by prophecy. With the laying on of the hands of the presbytery ( μετα επιθεσεως των χειρων του πρεσβυτεριου ). In ., when Barnabas and Saul were formally set apart to the mission campaign (not then ordained as ministers, for they were already that), there was the call of the Spirit and the laying on of hands with prayer. Here again μετα does not express instrument or means, but merely accompaniment. In Paul speaks only of his own laying on of hands, but the rest of the presbytery no doubt did so at the same time and the reference is to this incident. There is no way to tell when and where it was done, whether at Lystra when Timothy joined Paul's party or at Ephesus just before Paul left Timothy there ( ). Επιθεσις ( φρομ επιτιθημ , to lay upon) is an old word, in LXX, etc. In the N.T. we find it only here, ; ; , but the verb επιτιθημ with τας χειρας more frequently ( of the deacons; ; ; , etc.). Πρεσβυτεριον is a late word (ecclesiastical use also), first for the Jewish Sanhedrin ( ; ), then (here only in N.T.) of Christian elders (common in Ignatius), though πρεσβυτερος (elder) for preachers (bishops) is common ( ; ; , etc.).

‏ 1 Timothy 4:14

Neglect not ( μη αμελε ). Present active imperative in prohibition of αμελεω, old verb, rare in N.T. (Mt 22:5; 1Ti 4:14; Heb 2:3; 8:9). From αμελης ( α privative and μελε, not to care). Use with genitive.

The gift that is in thee ( του εν σο χαρισματος ). Late word of result from χαριζομα, in papyri (Preisigke), a regular Pauline word in N.T. (1Co 1:7; 2Co 1:11; Ro 1:11; etc.). Here it is God's gift to Timothy as in 2Ti 1:6.

By prophecy ( δια προφητειας ). Accompanied by prophecy (1:18), not bestowed by prophecy.

With the laying on of the hands of the presbytery ( μετα επιθεσεως των χειρων του πρεσβυτεριου ). In Ac 13:2f., when Barnabas and Saul were formally set apart to the mission campaign (not then ordained as ministers, for they were already that), there was the call of the Spirit and the laying on of hands with prayer. Here again μετα does not express instrument or means, but merely accompaniment. In 2Ti 1:6 Paul speaks only of his own laying on of hands, but the rest of the presbytery no doubt did so at the same time and the reference is to this incident. There is no way to tell when and where it was done, whether at Lystra when Timothy joined Paul's party or at Ephesus just before Paul left Timothy there (1:3). Επιθεσις ( φρομ επιτιθημ, to lay upon) is an old word, in LXX, etc. In the N.T. we find it only here, 2Ti 1:16; Ac 8:18; Heb 6:2, but the verb επιτιθημ with τας χειρας more frequently (Ac 6:6 of the deacons; 8:19; 13:3; 1Ti 5:22, etc.). Πρεσβυτεριον is a late word (ecclesiastical use also), first for the Jewish Sanhedrin (Lu 22:66; Ac 22:5), then (here only in N.T.) of Christian elders (common in Ignatius), though πρεσβυτερος (elder) for preachers (bishops) is common (Ac 11:30; 15:2; 20:17, etc.).