2 Timothy 1:7

7 For why [Soothly] God gave not to us the spirit of dread, but of virtue, and of love, and of soberness.

2 Timothy 1:7 Meaning and Commentary

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear
A pusillanimous, cowardly spirit, so as to be afraid of men or devils, of what they will say or do; and so as to be discouraged in, sink under, or be deterred from the work of the Lord, the preaching of the Gospel, opposing the errors of false teachers, and reproving men for their sins, and doing other parts of the ministerial function; such a spirit is not from God, and such a fear brings a snare:

but of power,
and such is the Spirit of God, who is called "power from high"; ( Luke 24:49 ) by which the minds of Christ's servants are fortified against reproaches and persecutions for his sake, and are strengthened to resist Satan's temptations, to endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ, to quit themselves like men, in opposition to false teachers, and to do the will and work of God:

and of love;
to God, and Christ, and his church, and which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit; and such who have it seek not their own ease and credit, but the glory of God, the interest of Christ, and the good of souls; and having such a spirit, and fired with such love, they are not easily intimidated by the adversary;

and of a sound mind:
in the principles and doctrines of the Gospel; and which shows itself in a prudent conduct and behaviour; in sobriety, moderation, temperance, purity, and honesty; all which may be signified by the word here used: and these who have such dispositions and qualities from God, will not easily give way to the enemies of religion, or decline their duty for fear of them.

2 Timothy 1:7 In-Context

5 And I bethink of that faith [And I take recording, or mind, of that faith], that is in thee not feigned, which also dwelled first in thine aunt Lois, and in thy mother Eunice. And I am certain, that also in thee.

6 For which cause I admonish thee, that thou raise again the grace of God, that is in thee by the setting on of mine hands [by the on-putting of mine hands].

7 For why [Soothly] God gave not to us the spirit of dread, but of virtue, and of love, and of soberness.

8 Therefore do not thou shame the witnessing of our Lord Jesus Christ, neither me, his prisoner; but travail thou together in the gospel by the virtue of God [after the virtue of God];

9 that delivered us, and called with his holy calling, not after our works, but by his purpose and grace [that delivered us, and called with this holy calling, not after our works, but after his purpose and grace], that is given [to us] in Christ Jesus before worldly times;