Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:1-14

Week 3 (7/26/26): Rekindle the gift of God

Preaching text: 2 Timothy 1:1–14; accompanying text: Luke 17:5–6

The second letter addressed to Timothy begins with an intensely personal and intimate appeal: “Rekindle the gift of God that is within you.” It is a truism to say that ministry is tough, and that following Jesus in our daily life is tough. We are faced daily with challenges and disappointments, and sometimes we experience depression and our faith feels like it is slowly ebbing away from us. There is the underlying sense here that Timothy knows this experience firsthand, and it is this that the writer addresses in these opening verses.

Any sense of worthlessness or purposelessness is swept away by the reassurance and reminder to Timothy that he is loved and appreciated. He is reminded of his sincere walk of faith, having been nurtured in that faith by his mother and grandmother. Surely it is not worth giving up just because he’s experienced a degree of shame and suffering? He is encouraged to rekindle his gift, a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline, calling him toward life and immortality, remembering the teaching that was passed on and the “good treasure” within him.

Sometimes it is helpful to be reminded of the faithfulness of others, and here we see some are suffering in their faithfulness to the gospel, confident of God’s faithfulness.