1 Timothy 4:14

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
μὴ
G3361
not
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
#2
ἀμέλει
G272
Neglect
to be careless of
#3
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
ἐν
G1722
that is in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#5
σοι
G4671
thee
to thee
#6
χαρίσματος
G5486
the gift
a (divine) gratuity, i.e., deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a (spiritual) endowment, i.e., (subjectively) religious qualification, o
#7
ὃ
G3739
which
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#8
ἐδόθη
G1325
was given
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
#9
σοι
G4671
thee
to thee
#10
διὰ
G1223
by
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
#11
προφητείας
G4394
prophecy
prediction (scriptural or other)
#12
μετὰ
G3326
with
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
#13
ἐπιθέσεως
G1936
the laying on
an imposition (of hands officially)
#14
τῶν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
χειρῶν
G5495
of the hands
the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)
#16
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#17
πρεσβυτερίου
G4244
of the presbytery
the order of elders, i.e., (specially), israelite sanhedrin or christian "presbytery"

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Timothy Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection