Today's Verse
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (NIV)
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (KJV)
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. (NASB)
2 Timothy 1:7
Commentary
Facing martyrdom himself, Paul takes time out to remind Timothy that God has not given us a spirit of fear or cowardice.There is no time for fearfulness or timidity.
MacDonald, William ; Farstad, Arthur: Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1995, S. 2 Ti 1:7
The threat of Roman persecution, which was escalating under Nero, the hostility of those in the Ephesian church who resented Timothy's leadership, and the assaults of false teachers with their sophisticated systems of deceptions may have been overwhelming Timothy. But if he was fearful, it didn't come from God.
power. Positively, God has already given believers all the spiritual resources they need for every trial and threat (cf. Matt. 10:19,20). Divine power-effective, productive spiritual energy belongs to believers (Eph. 1:18-20; 3:20; cf. Zech. 4:6). love. See note on 1 Tim. 1:5. This kind of love centers on pleasing God and seeking others' welfare before one's own (cf. Rom. 14:8; Gal. 5:22,25; Eph. 3:19; 1 Pet. 1:22; 1 John 4:18).
sound mind. Refers to a disciplined, self-controlled, and properly prioritized mind. This is the opposite of fear and cowardice that causes disorder and confusion. Focusing on the sovereign nature and perfect purposes of our eternal God allows believers to control their lives with godly wisdom and confidence in every situation (cf. Rom. 12:3; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8; 2:2).
MacArthur, John Jr: The MacArthur Study Bible. electronic ed. Nashville : Word Pub., 1997, c1997, S. 2 Ti 1:7
Did you know?
Timothy was likely Paul's best friend.
Like the last request of a dying man, Paul asks for his dearest friend to make a 1,000-mile journey across land and sea.
"I want to see you," Paul writes (2 Timothy 1:4). "Come to see me as soon as you can" (2 Timothy 4:9). Most of Paul's other associates have deserted him, and he is obviously lonely. He is also cold, and apparently hungry for God's Word, for he kindly asks Timothy to "bring the coat I left at Troas. . . . Don't forget to bring the scrolls, especially the ones made of leather" (2 Timothy 4:13).
Miller, Stephen M. ; Gross, Paul: How to Get into the Bible. Nashville : T. Nelson Publishers, 1998, S. 399
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