Timothy was a somewhat shy and timid youth and that from the gentleness of his nature he needed to be exhorted to be bold in his witness and testimony. He is told not to be ashamed to testify about our Lord, and to endure hardship like a good soldier of Jesus Christ. He is called to the front though his timid nature would have kept him in the rear, and he is exhorted to command and teach, allowing no one to despise his youth. Perhaps, also, he was not a man of very forceful action, and needed every now and then a little touch of the spur to induce him to awaken all his dormant energy to energize himself and his church in passionate labor for Christ. He had a very choice spirit, and therefore it was desirable to see it strong, brave, and energetic. The apostle Paul tells Timothy, in his first epistle, not to neglect the gift that is in him, and in the text before us he tells him to fan into flame that gift: in each case Paul is sounding the trumpet in his ear, and commanding him to passionate action.

There are many kinds of gifts. All Christians have some gift. Some may have only one gift, but all have at least one. The Great Master has apportioned to every servant a gift. No single part of a vital body is without its function and position. Every living saint has his or her charge to keep - their talent, over which they are a steward. A measure of gift is in all of us, needing to be fanned into a flame.