Hi, Mike, help me to explain the sentence

[Ann L.]

Hi, Mike:

I read a sentence like : Paul urges Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God." That means Timothy must stir up, keep alive, exercise the gift God has given.

In the sentence, what does the "fan into flame....." exactly mean? is it a idiom? Please help me to explain it, and give some examples.

Thank you in advence.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Ann L.

Hi, Mike:

I read a sentence like : Paul urges Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God." That means Timothy must stir up, keep alive, exercise the gift God has given.

In the sentence, what does the "fan into flame....." exactly mean? is it a idiom? Please help me to explain it, and give some examples.

Thank you in advence.

If there is a smoldering fire and someone adds oxygen (fanning is one way) it may burst back into flames. "Fanning" is simply the process of moving air across something with a hand or an object such as a fan.

[Ann L.]

Originally Posted by MikeNewYork

If there is a smoldering fire and someone adds oxygen (fanning is one way) it may burst back into flames. "Fanning" is simply the process of moving air across something with a hand or an object such as a fan.

Thank you, Mike for your answer so soon. but now I am still confussing about meaning of whole sentence, would you give me more example? thank you very much.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

[Tdol]

It menas to turn the gift of God into a brighter more powerful thing, like a fire growing.

[Ann L.]

Originally Posted by Tdol

It menas to turn the gift of God into a brighter more powerful thing, like a fire growing.

Thank you, Tdol very much.