Bible Strands
1 Timothy 4:14
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses Timothy during a period of preparation, instructing him to maintain spiritual disciplines until Paul's arrival. The directive operates within the framework of local church leadership and communal oversight.
The words — χαρίσματος (charismatos) literally denotes a divinely bestowed gift, while ἀμελεῖς (amelei) commands against negligence. The syntax directly ties the gift's origin to the elders' prophetic confirmation.
The thread — The motif of nurturing a conferred spiritual gift appears in 2 Timothy 1:6, where Paul urges Timothy to fan into flame the gift given through apostolic laying on of hands. It also connects to 1 Timothy 1:18, which grounds Timothy's commission in prior prophecies about him.
Why it lands — The text demands active stewardship of a confirmed spiritual endowment rather than passive retention. It requires Timothy to deliberately develop what the elder body recognized, ensuring his spiritual progress remains visible to the community.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James 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.
Cross-references
- 2 Timothy 1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
- 1 Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
- 1 Timothy 1:18 Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight,
- Acts 6:6 They presented these seven to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.
- 1 Timothy 5:22 Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
- Acts 13:3 And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not extinguish the Spirit.
- Matthew 25:14 For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions.
- Acts 8:17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
- Romans 12:6 We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith;