2 Timothy 1:6
What does 2 Timothy 1:6 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 1:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Timothy 1:6 means
Because Timothy possesses sincere faith, Paul urges him to “stir up” or fan into flame the gift God gave him, imparted “through the laying on of my hands.” Timothy’s ministry gift is real, God-given, and recognized through apostolic commissioning. Yet gifts can grow dim through fear, neglect, or weariness; they require intentional rekindling. Paul’s counsel is not to manufacture a gift but to rouse and steward what God has already granted. The call implies effort, prayer, and obedience in service. It reminds ministers that divine gifting and human responsibility go together. God kindled the fire; Timothy must supply the fuel of diligence so that his calling burns bright in hard times.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For which cause I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For which cause I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this reason I say to you, Let that grace of God which is in you, given to you by my hands, have living power.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862For which cause I remind thee to stir up the gift of God that is in thee through the putting on of my hands,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For which cause I admonish thee that thou stir up the grace of God which is in thee by the imposition of my hands.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For which cause I put thee in mind to rekindle the gift ofGod which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
Context
This exhortation flows directly from verse 5’s affirmation of Timothy’s genuine faith and anticipates verse 7’s reminder about the Spirit God gives. The reference to laying on of hands looks back to Timothy’s commissioning and forward to practical courage. Verses 6–7 form the heart of Paul’s initial charge: Timothy must not let opposition or timidity smother his God-given ministry. The next verses will apply this by calling Timothy to reject shame and endure suffering for the gospel (verse 8), grounded in God’s saving purpose and Christ’s victory (verses 9–10).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 35:26
And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair.
- 1 Timothy 4:14
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19
Quench not the Spirit;
- Exodus 36:2
And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart Jehovah had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:
- Jude 1:5
Now I desire to put you in remembrance, though ye know all things once for all, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
- 2 Timothy 2:14
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of them that hear.
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