1 Timothy 4:14

International Standard Version

Do not neglectStop neglecting">[fn] the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy, accompanied by the laying on of the elders' hands.Acts 6:6; 8:17; 13:3; 19:6; 1 Timothy 1:18; 5:22; 2 Timothy 1:6;">[xr]

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Remember to use the gift you have, which was given to you through a prophecy when the group of elders laid their hands on you.

Revised Standard Version
Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Despyse not the gyfte that is in ye which was geven the thorow prophesye and with layinge on of ye hondes of an elder.

Hebrew Names Version
Don't neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the Zakenim.

New American Standard Bible
Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.

New Century Version
Use the gift you have, which was given to you through prophecy when the group of elders laid their hands on you.

Update Bible Version
Don't neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

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

English Standard Version
Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.

World English Bible
Don't neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the elders.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Weymouth's New Testament
Do not be careless about the gifts with which you are endowed, which were conferred on you through a divine revelation when the hands of the elders were placed upon you.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Nyle thou litil charge the grace which is in thee, that is youun to thee bi profecie, with putting on of the hondis of preesthod.

English Revised 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.

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.

Contemporary English Version
Use the gift you were given when the prophets spoke and the group of church leaders blessed you by placing their hands on you.

Amplified Bible
Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, [that special endowment] which was intentionally bestowed on you [by the Holy Spirit] through prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands on you [at your ordination].

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.

Bible in Basic English
Make use of that grace in you, which was given to you by the word of the prophets, when the rulers of the church put their hands on you.

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

Darby Translation
Be not negligent of the gift [that is] in thee, which has been given to thee through prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the elderhood.

Etheridge Translation
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee with prophecy, and the hand-laying [fn] of the presbytery.

Murdock Translation
Despise not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, and by the laying on of the hand of the eldership.

King James Version (1611)
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was giuen thee by prophesie, with the laying on of the hands of the Presbyterie.

New Living Translation
Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.

New Life Bible
Be sure to use the gift God gave you. The leaders saw this in you when they laid their hands on you and said what you should do.

New Revised Standard
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Despise not the gift that is in thee, which was giuen thee by prophecie with the laying on of the hands of the companie of the Eldership.

George Lamsa Translation
Do not neglect the gift that you have, which was given to you by prophecy, and by virtue of the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Be not careless of the gift of favour, that is in thee, which was given thee through means of prophesying, along with a laying on of the hands of the eldership.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Neglect not the grace that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with imposition of the hands of the priesthood.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Despise not the gyfte that is in thee, which was geuen thee through prophesie, with the laying on of handes by the auctoritie of the eldership.

Good News Translation
Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is in you, which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the elders laid their hands on you.

Christian Standard Bible®
Don’t neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.

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.

Lexham English Bible
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, that was granted to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.

Literal Translation
Do not be neglectful of the gift in you, which was given to you through prophecy, with laying on of the hands of the elderhood.

Young's Literal Translation
be not careless of the gift in thee, that was given thee through prophecy, with laying on of the hands of the eldership;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Be not necligent in the gifte that is geuen the thorow prophecye, with layege on of the handes of the Elders.

Mace New Testament (1729)
don't neglect the gift you have, which was given you with the ministerial charge, when you receiv'd imposition of hands from the presbytery.

New English Translation
Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you.

New King James Version
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Don't give up using the gift God gave you. This gift was revealed when the wagon bosses prayed over you and put their hands on you.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.

Legacy Standard Bible
Do not neglect the gift within you, which was given to you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the council of elders.

Contextual Overview

⁶ If you continue to point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the healthy teaching that you have followed closely.2 Timothy 3:14-15;">[xr] ⁷ Do not have anything to do with godless myths and fables of old women, but train yourself in godliness.1 Timothy 1:4; 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16,23; 4:4; Titus 1:14; Hebrews 5:14;">[xr] ⁸ Physical exercise is of limited value, butPsalm 37:4; 84:11; 112:2-3; 145:19; Matthew 6:33; 19:29; Mark 10:30; Romans 8:28; 1 Corinthians 8:8; Colossians 2:23; 1 Timothy 6:6;">[xr] Godliness is very dear, A pledge of life, both there and here. ⁹ This saying is trustworthy and deserves complete acceptance.[fn]1 Timothy 1:15;">[xr] ¹⁰ To this end we work hard and struggle,suffer abuse">[fn] because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, that is, of those who believe.Psalm 36:6; 1 Corinthians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 6:17;">[xr] ¹¹ These are the things you must insist on and teach.1 Timothy 6:2;">[xr] ¹² Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness,faith">[fn] and purity.1 Corinthians 16:11; Titus 2:7,15; 1 Peter 5:3;">[xr] ¹³ Until I arrive, concentrate on the public reading of Scripture,on the reading">[fn] on exhorting, and on teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglectStop neglecting">[fn] the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy, accompanied by the laying on of the elders' hands.Acts 6:6; 8:17; 13:3; 19:6; 1 Timothy 1:18; 5:22; 2 Timothy 1:6;">[xr] ¹⁵ Think on these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Neglect: Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 19:12-26, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, 2 Timothy 1:6, 1 Peter 4:9-11

which: 1 Timothy 1:18

with: 1 Timothy 5:22, Acts 6:6, Acts 8:17, Acts 13:3, Acts 19:6, 2 Timothy 1:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:14 - and laid Numbers 8:10 - General Numbers 27:18 - lay Deuteronomy 34:9 - Moses Joshua 1:8 - thou shalt Ezekiel 2:8 - open Luke 16:2 - give John 10:2 - he that Acts 9:17 - and putting Acts 20:28 - over 1 Corinthians 14:1 - prophesy Colossians 4:17 - the ministry 2 Timothy 2:2 - many Hebrews 6:4 - and have

Cross-References

Matthew 25:41
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Get away from me, you who are accursed, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels!Psalm 6:8; Matthew 7:23; Luke 13:27; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6;">[xr]

Matthew 25:46
These people will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will gowill go">[fn] into eternal life."Daniel 12:2; John 5:29; Romans 2:7;">[xr]

2 Thessalonians 1:9
Such people will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction by being separated from the Lord's presence and from his glorious powerDeuteronomy 33:2; Isaiah 2:19; Philippians 3:19; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; 2 Peter 3:7;">[xr]

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Neglect not the gift that is in thee,.... What qualifies men for the work of the ministry is a gift from God: it is not of nature, nor is it mere natural abilities and capacity; nor is it any thing acquired, it is not human learning, or the knowledge of languages, arts, and sciences; nor is it special saving grace; for a man may have all these, and yet not be apt to teach, or fit for the ministry; but it is a peculiar and distinct gift, it is a gift of interpreting the Scriptures, and of dispensing the mysteries of grace to the edification of others; which, when it meets in a man with all the rest before mentioned, makes him very considerable: and this gift is in a man; it is a treasure put into earthen vessels, a good treasure in the heart, out of which a good minister of Christ brings forth many good things, things new and old, both for the delight and profit of men: and this gift is by no means to be neglected; this talent should not be hid in the earth, or wrapped up in a napkin; it should not lie dormant and useless, but should be stirred up, cultivated, and improved, as it may by reading, meditation, and prayer. And in order to enforce this exhortation on Timothy, the apostle adds,

which was given thee by prophecy; that is, it was prophesied of before hand, by some of the prophets in the church, that a very extraordinary gift should be bestowed upon this young man, which would make him a very useful person in the church of God; see 1 Timothy 1:18 and since it was now given, he ought not therefore to neglect it: or it was given him, as some read it, with prophecy, that he should use it, and it should be of great advantage to many souls; or, together with this gift of preaching, he had also a gift of foretelling things to come; or it may be, the words may be better rendered, "for prophecy": that is, for preaching, for prophesying is frequently used for preaching; see 1 Corinthians 13:2 and then the sense is, that this gift was given him to qualify him for the interpreting of the Scriptures, the explaining of the prophecies of the Old Testament, and for the preaching of the Gospel; and therefore he should not neglect it, but use it for this purpose: and he adds, that it was given him

with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery; or "of the eldership", or elders. So γερουσια, "eldership", is used by the Septuagint on Exodus 3:16 for the elders of Israel. Now of these elders Paul was one, 2 Timothy 1:6 nor is it unusual to call the apostles elders; see 1 Peter 5:1. Who joined with the apostle, in the imposition of hands on Timothy, is not certain; I should think only apostles, since here was a gift of the Holy Ghost came along with it; and it was only through the laying on of the hands of the apostles that the Holy Ghost was given. Philip, an evangelist, laid not hands on the believing Samaritans; but Peter and John, apostles, were sent down from Jerusalem to Samaria to do it, whereby many received the gifts of the Holy Ghost, fitting them to take the care of those new converts, and to spread the Gospel further in those parts, Acts 8:5. And since gifts have ceased being conveyed this way, the rite of laying on of hands in ordinations seems useless, and of no avail. The apostle in calling those that joined with him, in putting hands on Timothy, the "presbytery or eldership", may have some reference to זקני העדה, "the elders of the congregation", which laid hands on the bullock for a sin offering, Leviticus 4:15 by whom some understand the great sanhedrim m; others n, not all the elders, but some particular persons, in number three; and so the ordination of a Rabbi was by three o; hence we read of סמיכה בזקינים, "imposition of hands by the elders" p.

m Bartenora in Misn. Menachot, c. 9. sect. 3. n Siphri in Maimon. in Misn. ib. c. 9. sect. 7. o Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 1. sect. 3. & Maimon. & Bartenora in ib. p T. Hieros. Horayot, fol. 46. 2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Neglect not the gift that is in thee - An important question arises here, to what the word “gift” refers; whether to natural endowment; to office; or to some supposed virtue which had been conferred by ordination - some transmitted influence which made him holy as a minister of religion, and which was to continue to be transmitted by the imposition of apostolic hands. The word which is here used, is rendered “gift” in every place in which it occurs in the New Testament. It is found in the following places, and with the following significations: deliverance from peril, 2 Corinthians 1:11; a gift or quality of the mind, 1 Corinthians 7:7; gifts of Christian knowledge or consolation, Romans 1:11; 1 Corinthians 1:7; redemption or salvation through Christ, Romans 5:15-16; Romans 6:23; Romans 11:29; the miraculous endowments conferred by the Holy Spirit, Romans 12:6; 1Co 12:4, 1 Corinthians 12:9,1 Corinthians 12:28, 1 Corinthians 12:30-31, and the special gift or endowment for the work of the ministry, 1Ti 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Peter 4:10. The “gift” then referred to here was that by which Timothy was qualified for the work of the ministry. It relates to his office and qualifications - to “every thing” that entered into his fitness for the work. It does not refer “exclusively” to any influence that came upon him in virtue of his ordination, or to any new grace that was infused into him by that act, making him either officially or personally more holy than other people, or than he was before - or to any efficacy in the mere act of ordination - but it comprised “the whole train of circumstances” by which he had been qualified for the sacred office and recognized as a minister of religion. All this was regarded as a “gift,” a “benefit,” or a “favor” - χαρισμα charisma - and he was not to neglect or disregard the responsibilities and advantages growing out of it. In regard to the manner in which this gift or favor was bestowed, the following things are specified:

(1) It was the gift of God; 2 Timothy 1:6. He was to be recognized as its source; and it was not therefore conferred merely by human hands. The call to the ministry, the qualifications for the office, and the whole arrangement by which one is endowed for the work, are primarily to be traced to him as the source.

(2) It was given to Timothy in accordance with certain predictions which had existed in regard to him - the expectations of those who had observed his qualifications for such an office, and who had expressed the hope that he would one day be permitted to serve the Lord in it.

(3) It was sanctioned by the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. The call of God to the work thus recognized by the church, and the approbation of the Presbytery expressed by setting him apart to the office, should be regarded by Timothy as a part of the “gift” or “benefit” (charisma) which had been conferred on him, and which he was not to neglect.

(4) An additional circumstance which might serve to impress the mind of Timothy with the value of this endowment, and the responsibility of this office, was, that Paul himself had been concerned in his ordination; 2 Timothy 1:6. He who was so much more aged (Philemon 1:9; compare 2 Timothy 4:6-7); he who had been a father to him, and who had adopted him and treated him as a son had been concerned in his ordination; and this fact imposed a higher obligation to perform aright the functions of an office which had been conferred on him in this manner. We are not to suppose, therefore, that there was any mysterious influence - any “virus” - conveyed by the act of ordination, or that that act imparted any additional degree of holiness. The endowment for the ministry; the previous anticipations and hopes of friends; and the manner in which he had been inducted into the sacred office, should all be regarded as a “benefit” or “favor” of a high order, and as a reason why the gift thus bestowed should not be neglected - and the same things now should make a man who is in the ministry deeply feel the solemn obligations resting on him to cultivate his powers in the highest degree, and to make the most of his talents.

Which was given thee by prophecy - That is, the prophetic declarations and the hopes of pious friends in regard to your future usefulness, have been among the means by which you have been introduced to the ministry, and should be a reason why you should cultivate your powers, and perform faithfully the duties of your office; see the notes on 1 Timothy 1:18.

With the laying on of the hands of the presbytery - it was common to lay on the hands in imparting a blessing, or in setting apart to any office; see Matthew 19:15; Mark 6:5; Luke 4:40; Luke 12:13; Leviticus 8:14; Numbers 27:23; Acts 28:8; Acts 6:6; Acts 8:17; Acts 13:3. The reference here is undoubtedly to the act by which Timothy was set apart to the office of the ministry. The word rendered “presbytery” - πρεσβυτέριον presbuterion - occurs only in two other places in the New Testament - Luke 22:66, where it is rendered “elders;” and Acts 22:5, where it is rendered “estate of the elders.” It properly means an “assembly of aged men; council of elders.” In Luke 22:66, and Acts 22:5, it refers to the Jewish “sanhedrin;” see the notes on Matthew 5:22. In the passage before us, it cannot refer to that body - for they did not ordain men to the Christian ministry - but to some association, or council, or body of elders of the Christian church. It is clear from the passage:

(1) That there was more than “one person” engaged in this service, and taking part in it when Timothy was ordained, and therefore it could not have been by a “prelate” or “bishop” alone.

(2) That the power conferred, whatever it was, was conferred by the whole body constituting the presbytery - since the apostle says that the “gift” was imparted, not in virtue of any particular power or eminence in anyone individual, but by the “laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”

(3) The statement here is just such a one as would be made now respecting a Presbyterian ordination; it is not one which would be made of an Episcopal ordination. A Presbyterian would choose “these very words” in giving an account of an ordination to the work of the ministry; an Episcopalian “would not.” The former speaks of an ordination by a “presbytery;” the latter of ordination by a “bishop.” The former can use the account of the apostle Paul here as applicable to an ordination, without explanations, comments, new versions or criticisms; the latter cannot. The passage, therefore, is full proof that, in one of the most important ordinations mentioned in the New Testament, it was performed by an association of men, and not by a prelate, and therefore, that this was the primitive mode of ordination. Indeed, there is not a single instance of ordination to an office mentioned in the New Testament which was performed by one man alone. See this passage examined at greater length in my” Enquiry into the organization and government of the apostolic church,” pp. 208-221.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee — The word χαρισμα here must refer to the gifts and graces of the Divine Spirit, which Timothy received when set apart to the work of an evangelist by the imposition of St. Paul's hands, 2 Timothy 1:6, and by that of the presbytery or eldership; for it most evidently appears, from this verse and that above quoted, that he received this double imposition, not probably at different times, but on one and the same occasion. These very gifts and graces might be improved; and we have reason to believe, if not improved, would be withdrawn by the great Head of the Church.

Given thee by prophecy — It has already been conjectured (see the preface, and see the note on Clarke "1 Timothy 1:18") that there had been some remarkable prediction relative to the future destiny and usefulness of Timothy. And probably it was in consequence of this that he was set apart to the office of evangelist and bishop in the Church at Ephesus. When apostles laid their hands on men, they ordinarily received the Holy Spirit with this imposition. This may be what the apostle calls to the remembrance of Timothy, and tells him not to neglect what he had received, nor the purpose for which he had received it.