2Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
‘With pure conscience’ – I have always tried to please God – even when through ignorance I persecuted Christ’s followers.
‘For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.’ Four things the gift of 2Timothy 1:6 consists of: Spirit of boldness (Rom. 8:15). Spirit of power (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; 1Cor. 16:10; 1Tim. 4:14). Spirit of love (1Cor. 13:4). Spirit of a sound mind, understanding, and judgment (Gal. 5:22-23).
‘Fear’ [Greek: deilia] cowardice. Romans 8:15 states that we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear. That refers to the spirit and nature of satan (Eph. 2:2; John 8:44; 1Jn. 3:8; Heb. 2:14-15). As Christians, we have not received a spirit of slavery to relapse again into fear and terror, and any form of fear shows a lack of trust in God (John 14:27) and cancels out all the power He gave us (2Tim. 1:7) and whatever we fear will come over us (Job 3:25). Our strength lies in the joy of the Lord (Neh. 8:10) and we can not allow fear (1Jn. 4:18). One should have Godly fear (Ps. 2:11; 15:4; 19:9; 34:7-11; 85:9; 103:11; Pro. 1:7; 3:7; 8:13; 14:27; 2Cor. 7:1). The ungodly do not have this kind of fear (Ps. 36:1; 55:19; Rom. 3:18).
‘Power’ [Greek: dunamis] is inherent power; the power to reproduce itself, implying the need for constant activity and use for continued reproduction. From this word we get our English dynamo and dynamics – the branch of mechanics dealing with the principles of motion or active operation. Just as a dynamo needs to be in motion to produce power, so one needs to stir up into flame the gift of God in his life (1:6; 1Tim. 4:14). Fear cancels power.
Living the Word 