Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
Wherefore, х di' (G1223) heen (G3739) aitian (G156)] - 'For which cause,' namely because thou hast inherited, and I am persuaded dost possess, such unfeigned faith.
Stir up, х anazoopurein (G329)] - 'kindle up:' fan into a flame: the opposite of 'quench,' or extinguish (1 Thessalonians 5:19), Paul does not doubt Timothy's faith; but, just because of his 'persuasion' of its reality, urges him to put it in full exercise. Timothy probably had become dispirited by the long absence and imprisonment of his spiritual father.
Gift of God - the grace received for his ministerial office, either at his original ordination or at his consecration to the superintendency of the Ephesian church, imparting fearlessness, power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
By [ dia (G1223 )] the putting on of my hands. In 1 Timothy 4:14 it is х meta (G3326)] "with (not by) the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." To the apostle, as chief instrument in the ordination and impartation of grace, "BY" is applied; to the presbytery, as his assistants and concurring participants in ordaining, "with," implying mere accompaniment, is applied. So a bishop in our days does the principal act; the presbyters join in laying on hands with him.