ἀναζωπυρέω

I stir up the fire, fan the flame of

Definition

ἀναζωπυρέω literally means 'to rekindle' or 'to stir up a fire.' In its single New Testament occurrence, it is used metaphorically to describe the act of reviving or reawakening a spiritual gift that has been neglected or has grown dormant. The image is one of taking a smoldering ember and fanning it back into a full flame. This concept is applied specifically to Timothy's spiritual gift in 2 Timothy 1:6, where Paul urges him to actively nurture what God has given him.

Biblical Usage

This verb is used only once in the New Testament, in 2 Timothy 1:6. Paul employs it in a pastoral, exhortative context, addressing his protégé Timothy. The usage is entirely metaphorical, applying the physical act of rekindling a fire to the spiritual responsibility of maintaining and actively using a divinely given gift. The pattern is one of personal encouragement and charge to sustained spiritual vitality.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἀνά (ana, meaning 'up' or 'again') combined with ζωπυρέω (zōpyreō, 'to kindle a fire'). ζωπυρέω itself comes from ζωός (zōos, 'alive') and πῦρ (pyr, 'fire'), thus carrying the sense of 'making a fire alive.' Therefore, ἀναζωπυρέω means 'to rekindle' or 'to cause a fire to live again,' emphasizing restoration and renewed activity.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it underscores the cooperative nature of spiritual gifts. While God sovereignly bestows gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11), the believer has a responsibility to actively cultivate and employ them. It combats spiritual passivity, teaching that faith and gifting require intentional nurturing to remain vibrant and effective for ministry. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting the active, ongoing effort required in the Christian life, moving beyond a one-time reception to sustained stewardship.

In a culture without modern heating or lighting, maintaining a household fire was a daily, vital task. Letting a fire die out meant darkness, cold, and the laborious process of restarting it from sparks or embers. The metaphor of 'rekindling' would have been immediately and powerfully understood as an urgent call to prevent loss and restore something essential for life and comfort.

ἐγείρω (egeirō, G1453) — to awaken or raise up, often used for physical resurrection or stirring from sleep, less specific to the metaphor of fire. παρακαλέω (parakaleō, G3870) — to exhort or encourage, a broader term for urging action, without the specific imagery of rekindling.

Word Details

Scripture References