Stir Up the Gift of God

Paul taught Timothy to walk by God’s spirit and to use the spiritual abilities that he had in Christ. One specific encouragement he gave can be applied to our lives.

2 Timothy 1:6:
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up [anazōpureō] the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Here, Paul encourages Timothy to stir up the “gift of God.” This gift is charisma in Greek, and is used today of a special ability to win others and lead with power. This word comes from charis, the Greek word for God’s grace. It is only by the Father’s grace in Christ that we can show forth His power and love.

The word for “stir up,” anazōpureō, is made of three Greek words: ana, zōē, and pureō. Ana means “up or again.” Zōē means “life” [as in zoo or zoology]. Pureō means “fire” [as in pyrotechnics, “fire-works”]. This word anazōpureō literally means to stir up the embers of a fire so that it comes “alive” again. The heat is all there in the embers, but must be stirred up to allow the oxygen to be ignited and show forth the power, light, and heat.

It is the same with us. We are anointed with God’s holy spirit power and can, like Jesus, go about doing good works and healing all oppressed of the Devil [1 John 2:27; Acts 10:38]. But we must “stir up” that gift to full flame. There are two words in the Greek New Testament translated “receive.” One word, dechomai, means to receive inside, to have God’s spirit dwelling in us. The other word, lambanō, means to receive to the end of showing forth God’s power. That’s what we want to do, “stir up” that spiritual ability so others can benefit from it.

Look at how much Paul loved Timothy and his family. He reminded Timothy of how God had worked in his life when raised by his mother, who learned from his grandmother. That same God called Paul to lay hands on Timothy and ordain him. That charisma, spiritual ability, was to be used, to be “stirred up” to full flame, as Timothy believed. God had not given Timothy spiritual cowardice, but His mighty power, love, and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:3-7 [The Passion Translation]:
You know that I’ve been called to serve the God of my fathers with a clean conscience. Night and day I pray for you, thanking God for your life!
I know that you have wept for me, your spiritual father, and your tears are dear to me. I can’t wait to see you again! I’m filled with joy
as I think of your strong faith that was passed down through your family line. It began with your grandmother Lois, who passed it on to your dear mother, Eunice. And it’s clear that you too are following in the footsteps of their godly example.
I’m writing to encourage you to fan into a flame and rekindle the fire of the spiritual gift God imparted to you when I laid my hands upon you.
For God will never give you the spirit of fear [cowardice], but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:6 is the only place that the Greek word anazōpureō is used in the New Testament. However, it is also used only once in the Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament.

Genesis 45:25-28:
And they went up out of Egypt, and came into the land of Canaan unto Jacob their father,
And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not.
And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived [anazōpureō]:
And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.

Jacob was still mourning the supposed death of his son, Joseph. He did not believe that Joseph was alive, despite the eyewitness accounts of his other sons. But when Jacob saw the loaded wagons from Egypt, he had the proof that his beloved son lived. That caused his “spirit” to be fanned to full flame. Afterward, Jacob, also known as Israel, was able to prophesy over each of his sons. That included a prophecy about the Messiah coming from the tribe of Judah, which Jesus later fulfilled.

Let’s use all the Father has given us in Christ. Let’s stir up the spiritual embers within to “full flame” so that others can see and enjoy the power and deliverance that comes from Jesus Christ our Lord!