John Chrysostom

"Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands." You see how greatly dispirited and dejected he considers him to be. He almost says, "Think not that I despise thee, but be assured that I do not condemn thee, nor have I forgotten thee. Consider, at any rate, thy mother and thy grandmother. It is because I know that thou hast unfeigned faith that I put thee in remembrance." For it requires much zeal to stir up the gift of God. …

Homily on 2 Timothy 1 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since, he says, I know that you have an unfeigned faith, I urge you that the grace of the Spirit, which you received for leadership in the Church, for the working of signs, and in general for every service proper to a bishop — to fan into flame this grace, that is, to make it always living and flourishing. For just as fire needs fuel, so also the grace of the Spirit needs zeal, attentiveness, and watchfulness in order to always burn brightly. …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗

Ignatius of Antioch

I have become acquainted with your greatly-desired name in God, which ye have acquired by the habit of righteousness, according to the faith and love in Christ Jesus our Saviour. Being the followers of the love of God towards man, and stirring up yourselves by the blood of Christ, you have perfectly accomplished the work which was beseeming to you. …

Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Above, he commended him on his gratuitously given qualities; here he urges him to put them to good use especially by preaching the Gospel: first, he advised him in a general way to use the gifts granted him; second, he specifies how grace should be used, at do not be therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. In regard to the first he does two things: first, he gives him an admonition; second, its reason, at for God has not given. …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗