Lexical Summary anazópureó: To rekindle, to stir up, to fan into flame Original Word: ἀναζωπυρέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance stir up. From ana and a compound of the base of zoon and pur; to re-enkindle -- stir up. see GREEK ana see GREEK zoon see GREEK pur NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ana and a comp. of the root of zóon and pur Definition to kindle afresh NASB Translation kindle afresh (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 329: ἀναζωπυρέωἀναζωπυρέω, (ῶ; (τό ζώπυρον i. e. a. the remains of a fire, embers; b. that by which the fire is kindled anew or lighted up, a pair of bellows); to kindle anew, rekindle, resuscitate, (yet on the force of ἀναζωπυρέω cf. Ellicott on 2 Tim. as below); generally tropical, to kindle up, inflame, one's mind, strength, zeal (Xenophon, de re equest. 10, 16 of a horse roused to his utmost; Hell. 5, 4, 46; Antoninus 7, 2 φαντασίας; Plutarch, Pericl. 1, 4; Pomp. 41, 2; 49, 5; Plato, Charm., p. 156 d.; etc.): τό χάρισμα, 2 Timothy 1:6, i. e. τό πνεῦμα, 2 Timothy 1:7. Intransitive, to be enkindled, to gain strength: Genesis 45:27; 1 Macc. 13:7, and in secular authors; ἀναζωπυρησάτω ἡ πίστις, Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 27, 3 [ET] (see Gebh. and Harn. at the passage). Topical Lexicon Canonical Setting The verb appears a single time in the New Testament, in Paul’s final letter: “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6). Its solitary usage places weighty emphasis on the command and frames it as a pivotal exhortation to Timothy in a season when apostolic leadership was transitioning to the next generation. Word Picture: Fanning the Spark First-century hearths often banked embers under ashes overnight to conserve heat. At dawn the coals were roused by blowing or stirring, quickly producing a vigorous blaze. Paul borrows that domestic image to urge Timothy to awaken the latent potential of the spiritual endowment entrusted to him. The picture conveys three ideas: 1. The divine gift is already present. Spiritual Gifts and Stewardship The verse links the believer’s responsibility with God’s gracious bestowal. Timothy had received a charism through apostolic laying on of hands (compare 1 Timothy 4:14). The imperative indicates that spiritual gifts, though sovereignly granted, require ongoing cultivation. Scripture elsewhere echoes this principle: “Do not neglect your gift” (1 Timothy 4:14), “Be fervent in spirit” (Romans 12:11), and “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19). The consistent testimony is that neglect leads to dullness, whereas diligence keeps ministry vibrant. Mentorship and Apostolic Commission Paul’s reminder springs from a deeply personal relationship. The older apostle has modeled perseverance amid suffering (2 Timothy 3:10–11) and now calls his protégé to the same resilience. The command underscores the biblical pattern of mentoring: Moses to Joshua, Elijah to Elisha, Jesus to the Twelve, and Paul to Timothy and Titus. Each generation receives the flame and must rekindle it rather than allow it to die out. Empowerment over Fear Immediately after the imperative comes an antidote to timidity: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). Rekindling the gift produces courage, charity, and disciplined thinking—all essential for ministry in hostile contexts. The sequence shows that spiritual vitality is both the cure for and the safeguard against intimidation. Old Testament Parallels Leviticus 6:12–13 commands the priests to keep the altar fire burning continuously, a duty requiring daily attention. Proverbs 26:20 notes that where there is no wood, the fire goes out. Such passages prefigure the New Testament call to maintain spiritual ardor. The concept also resonates with Psalm 39:3, “My heart grew hot within me… the fire burned,” depicting inner fervor ignited by meditating on God’s word. Historical Testimony Early church fathers cited 2 Timothy 1:6 when addressing spiritual lethargy. Chrysostom urged hearers to “blow upon the spark” of grace through prayer and service. During the Reformation, preachers applied the text to revive gospel preaching suppressed by tradition. In modern times, missionary movements have appealed to it when calling believers to renew evangelistic zeal. Pastoral and Personal Application • Ministers are to revisit their calling, stir prayer life, and engage in disciplined study. Worship and Corporate Life Renewed fervor affects public worship: singing gains heartfelt intensity, preaching bears prophetic weight, and fellowship moves from routine to life-giving mutual ministry. Church history shows that seasons of revival often begin with small groups “fanning into flame” what already resides within them. Summary Strong’s Greek 329 encapsulates the duty and privilege of cooperating with God’s grace so that the Spirit’s gift remains blazing rather than flickering. Paul’s lone use of the term, placed at a strategic moment of generational handoff, continues to summon believers to vigilant, courageous stewardship of every divine endowment until the Lord returns. Forms and Transliterations αναζωπυρειν αναζωπυρείν ἀναζωπυρεῖν ανεζωπύρησε anazopurein anazōpurein anazopyrein anazopyreîn anazōpyrein anazōpyreînLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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