“Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.”
King James Version (KJV)
4:14 Neglect not - They neglect it who do not exercise it to the full. The gift - Of feeding the flock, of power, and love, and sobriety. Which was given thee by prophecy - By immediate direction from God. By the laying on of my hands - #2Tim 1:6|; while the elders joined also in the solemnity. This presbytery probably consisted of some others, together with Paul and Silas.
1Ti 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee. The allusion is to special spiritual gifts given to him to fit him for the duties of an evangelist. These were given, and were essential, in that first age. Which was given thee by prophecy. As the Spirit at Antioch said to the prophets, "Separate for me Paul and Barnabas" (Ac 13:2), I suppose a revelation was given that Timothy was to be set apart, and that he would be spiritually endowed for his work. With the laying on of the hands by the presbytery. He was ordained in the usual way, and at the ordination the Spirit conferred upon him new gifts. It must be borne in mind that the ancient evangelists had no New Testament to guide them, and hence needed special qualifications.