How do you fan your gift into flame?

 

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance,.... 

The reason for this reminder is said to be based on the strong relationship and trust between the apostle and Timothy, as well as Timothy's previous display of genuine faith. The apostle sees himself as a caring advisor who can offer guidance to Timothy, and he is confident that Timothy will listen to his advice.

that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee;

 by "the gift" is meant his ministerial gift; for what qualifies men for the ministry, is not anything natural in them, nor acquired by them, but what is given unto them, and that of God: 

• and this was "in" him; it continued with him; 
• it was not lost by him, nor taken from him, as gifts may be, when they are not used; 
• and yet it seems as if there was some decline, some backwardness and indifference as to the exercise of it: 
• he might be too negligent, and forgetful of it; wherefore the apostle puts him in mind to "stir" it up: 

There is in the word used a metaphor taken from coals of fire covered with ashes, as if almost extinct, and need to be blown up into a flame, and a very apt one it is; since the gifts of the Spirit, especially his extraordinary ones, such as ministers in those times had, are compared to fire: 

The metaphor used to describe this decline, suggesting that the gift needs to be stirred up or reignited through practices like reading, meditation, prayer, and exercise.

“I baptize with[a] water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (Math 3:11)

Agreeably to this the Arabic version renders it, "that thou kindle the fire of the gift of God which is in thee"; and the rather the apostle took this freedom with Timothy, not only because of his superior age and office, but because this gift was through his means;