Note 23 at 1 Tim. 4:14: Paul advises Timothy not to neglect his spiritual gift. "Neglect" refers to someone who does not give proper attention to his gift.

We don't have to reject our callings and gifts to fail; neglect will accomplish the same thing. The writer of Hebrews said, "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. . .How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; . . ." (Heb. 2:1, 3).

More ministries and personal lives have been destroyed by neglect than by rebellion.

Note 24 at 1 Tim. 4:14: The gift to which Paul is referring could be any of the ministry gifts Timothy operated in; however, it would seem logical that Paul is referring to the gift of pastoring the church at Ephesus. You must have a spiritual endowment of power to be a pastor (Eph. 4:11). Paul and the rest of the "presbytery" had laid hands on Timothy and separated him to that position.

Note 25 at 1 Tim. 4:14: This verse makes it clear that spiritual gifts can be transmitted from person to person. Timothy's gift, which is probably referring to the gift of "pastor teacher" (Eph. 4:11), was given to him through ". . .the laying on of the hands by the presbytery."

Note 26 at 1 Tim. 4:14: The English word "presbytery" comes from the Greek word "PRESBUTERION." The root of that word means "old" and is where we get the word "elder." However, the word came to designate leaders and is used in that sense here. Paul is speaking of himself and other elders who had laid hands on Timothy.