What does 2 Timothy 1:6-14 mean?

2 Timothy 1:6 Direct teaching

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.

1 Timothy 4:14 Supporting witness

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

Acts 6:6 Supporting witness

These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

...ill be reckoned among the confessors, as also the one who has ordered his life after the example of Timothy, obeying him who says, "Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith. Lay hold on eternal life, to which you are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:11-12

Peter of Alexandria, Canonical Epistle Supporting witness

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto you are also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

... are baptized in the Church are brought to the leaders of the Church, and by our prayers and by the laying on of hands they receive the Holy Spirit and are made complete with the Lord's seal.

Cyprian, Epistles Supporting witness

viz., that prayer being made for them, and hands being imposed, the Holy Spirit should be invoked and poured out upon them, which now too is done among us, so that they who are baptized in the Church are brought to the prelates of the Church, and by our prayers and by the imposition of hands obtain the Holy Spirit, and are perfected with the Lord's seal.

Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness

...ect, but, as it were, whole and complete. For when the Holy Spirit is given to each believer by the laying on of the bishop’s hands, as happened with the Samaritans after Philip’s baptism, the apostles gave them the Holy Spirit by laying hands on them in this way. And so that this might happen, they themselves prayed for them, because the Holy Spirit had not yet descended on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Moreover, after His resurrection, when our Lord had breathed on His apostles and had said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” John 20:22, in this way and in this way only He bestowed the Spirit on them.

Anonymous, Treatise on Re-Baptism Supporting witness

For when by imposition of the bishop's hands the Holy Spirit is given to every one that believes, as in the case of the Samaritans, after Philip's baptism, the apostles did to them by laying on of hands;

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

and that imposition of hands shall be to him instead of baptism: for by the laying on of our hands the Holy Ghost was given to believers.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...one speak against his bishop? It is through him that the Lord gave the Holy Spirit among you by the laying on of his hands. Through him you have learned the sacred teachings, have known God, and have believed in Christ. Through him you were known by God. Through him you were sealed with the oil of gladness and the ointment of understanding. Through him you were declared to be children of light. Through him, in your illumination, the Lord testified by the laying on of the bishop's hands and sent out His sacred voice over every one of you, saying, "You are My son; this day I have begotten you." By your bishop, O man, God adopts you as His child. Acknowledge, O son, that right hand which was a mother to you. Love him who, after God, has become a father to you, and honor him.

2 Timothy 1:7 Direct teaching

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

but of power, and love, and of a sound mind.

Tertullian, Scorpiace Direct teaching

2 Timothy 1:8 for he had said before: For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Gregory Thaumaturgus, A Sectional Confession of Faith Direct teaching

For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;

Gregory Thaumaturgus, Twelve Topics on the Faith Supporting witness

Let us glorify the Holy Spirit that works in us, and quickens us, and furnishes the gifts meet for the fellowship of God;

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness

...em without an advocate and some kind of protector. For this is He who strengthened their hearts and minds, who marked out the Gospel sacraments, who in them was the enlightener of divine things. And when they were strengthened, for the sake of the Lord's name they feared neither dungeons nor chains. Yes, they even trampled under foot the very powers of the world and its tortures, since from now on they were armed and strengthened by the same Spirit, having in themselves the gifts that this same Spirit distributes and assigns to the Church, the spouse of Christ, as her ornaments. This is He who places prophets in the Church, instructs teachers, directs tongues, gives powers and healings, does wonderful works, often gives discrimination of spirits, provides powers of government, suggests counsels, and orders and arranges whatever other gifts of charismata there are. And so He makes the Lord's Church everywhere, and in all things, perfected and completed. This is He who, in the manner of a dove, when our Lord was baptized, came and remained upon Him, dwelling in Christ full and entire, and not diminished in any measure or part. Rather, with His whole overflow He was copiously distr

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness

...w wine, that is, the newness of the grace of the Holy Spirit. In this way, then, the working of the power of God the Father and of the Son extends without distinction to every creature. But we find that only the saints have a share in the Holy Spirit. Therefore it is said, “No man can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” And on one occasion, scarcely even the apostles themselves are deemed worthy to hear the words, “You shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you.” For this reason also, I think it follows that he who has committed a sin against the Son of Man deserves forgiveness. For if someone who shares in the word or reason of God stops living in agreement with reason, he seems to have fallen into a state of ignorance or folly, and therefore to deserve forgiveness. But he who has been deemed worthy to have a portion of the Holy Spirit, and has relapsed, is by this very act and deed said to be guilty of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Let no one suppose that because we have said that the Holy Spirit is conferred only upon the saints, while the benefits or operations of the Father and of the Son extend to good and bad, to just and unjust, we are the

Origen, De Principiis (On First Principles) Supporting witness

Some of our predecessors have observed that in the New Testament, whenever the Spirit is named without any added word that describes a quality, the Holy Spirit is meant. For example: "Now the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, and peace," and, "Seeing you began in the Spirit, are you now made perfect in the flesh?" We think this distinction may also be observed in the Old Testament, as when it is said, "He that gives His Spirit to the people who are upon the earth, and Spirit to them who walk thereon." For without doubt, everyone who walks upon the earth, that is, earthly and bodily beings, is also a partaker of the Holy Spirit, receiving it from God. My Hebrew master also used to say that the two seraphim in Isaiah, each described as having six wings and calling to one another, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God of hosts," are to be understood as the only-begotten Son of God and the Holy Spirit. We also think that the expression found in the hymn of Habakkuk, "In the midst either of the two living things, or of the two lives, You will be known," should be understood as referring to Christ and the Holy Spirit. For all knowledge of the Father is obtained by revelation of the

2 Timothy 1:14 Direct teaching

By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

Tertullian, On Prescription Against Heretics Direct teaching

...e they disclosed other things only in secret and to a few people. They base this on Paul's words to Timothy: "O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you," 1 Timothy 6:20, and again, "Guard that good thing which was committed to you," 2 Timothy 1:14. What is this deposit? Is it something so secret that it should be thought to describe a new doctrine? Or is it part of that charge of which he says, "This charge I commit to you, son Timothy," 1 Timothy 1:18, and also part of that command of which he says, "I charge you in the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and before Jesus Christ, who witnessed a good confession under Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment," 1 Timothy 6:13? Now what is this commandment, and what is this charge? From the context before and after, it will be clear that this expression does not secretly suggest some mysterious and far-fetched doctrine. Rather, it gives a warning not to receive any doctrine other than what Timothy had heard from Paul himself, and, as I understand it, heard publicly: "before many witnesses," is the phrase he uses, 2 Timothy 2:2. Now if they refuse to admit that "many witnesses" means the church, that makes no di

Tertullian, On Prescription Against Heretics Direct teaching

2 Timothy 1:14 What is this deposit? Is it so secret as to be supposed to characterize a new doctrine?

Tertullian, On Prescription Against Heretics Supporting witness

1 Timothy 6:20 and again: That good thing which was committed unto you keep.

Hippolytus, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist Supporting witness

... men who desire to live holy and righteous lives with fear. For the blessed apostle does not exhort Timothy for no reason when he says, "O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding profane and empty talk, and the contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge. By professing this, some have gone astray concerning the faith." And again, "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many exhortations, commit to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." If, then, the blessed apostle delivered these things with reverent caution, even though they could easily be known by all, because he perceived in the Spirit that not all men have faith, 2 Thessalonians 3:2, how much greater will our danger be if we rashly and thoughtlessly commit the revelations of God to profane and unworthy men?

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Supporting witness

This is He who restrains insatiable desires, controls immoderate lusts, quenches unlawful fires, conquers reckless impulses, repels drunkenness, checks avarice, drives away luxurious revellings, links love, binds together affections, keeps down sects, orders the rule of truth, overcomes heretics, turns out the wicked, guards the Gospel, Of this says the same apostle: We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God.

Tertullian, On Prescription Against Heretics Supporting witness

1 Timothy 1:18 and also of that precept of which he says, I charge you in the sight of God, who quickens all things, and before Jesus Christ who witnessed a good confession under Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment?

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

..., and ask him what will happen to them. And he, the false prophet, not having the power of a Divine Spirit in him, answers them according to their questions and according to their wicked desires, and fills their souls with expectations according to their own wishes. For since he is empty himself, he gives empty answers to empty inquirers, for every answer is made to the emptiness of man. Some true words he does occasionally speak, for the devil fills him with his own spirit, hoping that he may be able to overcome some of the righteous. As many, then, as are strong in the faith of the Lord and are clothed with truth have no connection with such spirits, but keep away from them. But as many as are doubtful in mind and repent often turn to soothsaying, just like the heathen, and bring greater sin on themselves by their idolatry. For he who asks a false prophet about any action is an idolater, devoid of the truth, and foolish. For no spirit given by God needs to be asked. But such a spirit, having the power of Divinity, speaks all things of itself, because it proceeds from above, from the power of the Divine Spirit. But the spirit that is asked and speaks according to the desires of

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

but the spirit which is earthly and empty trust not at all, for there is no power in it: it comes from the devil.

2 Timothy 1:8 Direct teaching

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,

Tertullian, Scorpiace Direct teaching

2 Timothy 2:11 Be not ashamed, therefore, of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner;

Tertullian, Scorpiace Supporting witness

...hild; and children will rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death," He has clearly announced, with reference to the others, this kind of unrighteous conduct, which we do not find shown in the case of the apostles. For none of them experienced a father or a brother as a betrayer, which very many of us have. Then He returns to the apostles: "And you will be hated by all men for my name's sake." How much more will this be true of us, for whom there is the necessity of being handed over even by parents. Thus, by assigning this very betrayal now to the apostles, now to all, He pours out the same destruction on all the possessors of the name, on whom the name will rest together with the condition that it is an object of hatred. "But he who will endure to the end, this man will be saved." By enduring what, if not persecution, betrayal, and death? For to endure to the end is nothing else than to suffer the end. And therefore there immediately follow the words, "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his own lord." Because, since the Master and Lord Himself stood firm in suffering persecution, betrayal, and death, much more it will be the duty

Tertullian, Apology Supporting witness

...an obstinate refusal to offer sacrifices, he found in their religious services nothing but meetings early in the morning for singing hymns to Christ and God, and sealing their way of life by a united pledge to remain faithful to their religion, forbidding murder, adultery, dishonesty, and other crimes. In reply, Trajan wrote back that Christians were by no means to be sought out. But if they were brought before him, they should be punished. O miserable deliverance. Under the necessities of the case, it is a self-contradiction. It forbids them to be sought out, as innocent, and it commands them to be punished, as guilty. It is at once merciful and cruel. It passes by, and it punishes. Why do you play this game of evasion with yourself, O Judgment? If you condemn, why do you not also inquire? If you do not inquire, why do you not also absolve? Military stations are set throughout all the provinces for tracking robbers. Against traitors and public enemies every man is a soldier. Search is made even for their confederates and accessories. The Christian alone must not be sought, though he may be brought and accused before the judge, as if a search had any other end than that! And so

Tertullian, Apology Supporting witness

...have answered well enough the charges of the many crimes on which these fierce demands are made for Christian blood. We have fully presented our case. We have shown how we can prove that what we say is true, from the trustworthiness and antiquity of our sacred writings, and also from the confession of the powers of spiritual wickedness themselves. Who will dare to refute us, not with skill in words, but, as we have made our demonstration, on the basis of reality? But while the truth we hold is made clear to all, unbelief meanwhile, even at the very time when it is convinced of the worth of Christianity, now well known both for its benefits and from the intercourse of life, takes up the idea that it is not really something divine, but rather a kind of philosophy. "These are the very things," it says, "that the philosophers advise and profess: innocence, justice, patience, sobriety, and chastity." Why then are we not allowed the same freedom and immunity for our teachings that they have, when we are compared with them in what we teach? Or why are they not also forced to the same acts, by refusing which our lives are put in danger, if they are so much like us? For who forces a phil

Justin Martyr, The Second Apology Supporting witness

...rvants and indulging in drunkenness and vice and wanting him to do the same, accused her of being a Christian when she left without his consent. She presented a request to the Emperor, asking for permission to settle her affairs before defending against the accusation, which was granted. Unable to prosecute her, her husband targeted a man named Ptolemaeus, her teacher in Christian doctrines, with the help of a centurion who was friendly to him. The centurion took Ptolemaeus, interrogating him only on whether he was a Christian. Ptolemaeus, being truthful, confessed, was imprisoned, and later, when questioned by Urbicus, again affirmed his belief truthfully and was sentenced. Lucius, another Christian, witnessing this unjust judgment, questioned Urbicus: “What cause is there for this judgment? Why punish a man not guilty of adultery, immorality, murder, theft, or any crime, but only for being called a Christian? This judgment does not reflect well on Emperor Pius, nor the philosopher, son of Caesar, nor the sacred senate.” Urbicus responded, “You seem to be like this man,” to which Lucius replied, “Most certainly I am,” and was ordered to be executed. Lucius gave thanks, knowing