Rekindling the Fire of the Holy Spirit - by Jim Tharp, 2012

. . . I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace . . . . (II Tim. 1:6-9, NIV).

The apostle Paul writes Timothy, his favorite “son in the faith” from the old Mamertine Prison in Rome. He has been condemned to death and realizes there is no chance of acquittal. His faith is being subjected to its greatest test, but he testifies to one in whom he trusts to carry on the ministry of the gospel: I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day (II Tim. 1:12, NIV).


Paul hoped he might see the face of Timothy before his execution. But at this time the younger man is on assignment to the church in Ephesus. Whether or not they ever meet again in this life, Paul wants his younger colleague to know the secret of being faithful to the divine call to preach the Gospel. He reminds Timothy of a time back in Lystra when in a service he had laid hands on him (possibly in consecration or ordination). There is no doubt in my mind that this is a reference to the time when Timothy was filled with the Holy Spirit—given not a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.