2 Timothy 1 · Verse 7

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7, King James Version

2 Timothy 1:7 in other translations

BSBFor God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
WEBFor God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
ASVFor God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.
YLTfor God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind;
DARBYFor God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power, and of love, and of wise discretion.
BBEFor God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of self-control.
WebsterFor God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

What does 2 Timothy 1:7 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
7. For, &c.--implying that Timothy needed the exhortation "to stir up the gift of God in him," being constitutionally "timid": "For God did not give us (so the Greek, namely, at our ordination or consecration) the spirit of fear." The spirit which He gave us, was not the spirit of timidity (literally, "cowardice," which is weakness), but of "power" (exhibited in a fearless "testimony" for Christ, 2Ti 1:8). "Power is the invariable accompaniment of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Lu 24:49; Ac 1:8; compare Ac 6:6, "full of faith and of the Holy Ghost," with 2Ti 1:8, "full of faith and power." Fear is the result of "the spirit of bondage" (Ro 8:15). Fear within exaggerates the causes of fear without. "The spirit of power" is the spirit of man dwelt in by the Spirit of God imparting power; this power "casteth out fear" from ourselves, and stimulates us to try to cast it out of others (1Jo 4:18). love--which moves the believer while "speaking the truth" with power, when giving his testimony for Christ (2Ti 1:8), at the same time to do so "in love" (Ep 4:15). a sound mind--The Greek, is rather, "the bringing of men to a sound mind" [Wahl]. Bengel supports English Version, "a sound mind," or "sober-mindedness"; a duty to which a young man like Timothy especially needed to be exhorted (2Ti 2:22; 1Ti 4:12; Tit 2:4, 6). So Paul urges him, in 2Ti 2:4, to give up worldly entanglements, which as thorns (Lu 8:14) choke the word. These three gifts are preferable to any miraculous powers whatever.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear. A timorous and servile spirit. This is said in order to encourage Timothy, who was not improbably modest and diffident.

But of power. Power to encounter foes and dangers; power to bear up under trials; power to triumph in persecutions. That is, it is the nature of the gospel to inspire the mind with holy courage. Comp., however, Lk 24:49.

And of Love to God and to the souls of men. The tendency of this also, is to "cast out fear," 1Jn 4:18, and to make the mind bold and constant. Nothing will do more to inspire courage, to make a man fearless of danger, or ready to endure privation and persecution, than love. The love of country, and wife, and children, and home, makes the most timid bold when they are assailed; and the love of Christ and of a dying world nerves the soul to great enterprises, and sustains it in the deepest sorrows.

And of a sound mind. The Greek word denotes one of sober mind; a man of prudence and discretion. The state referred to here is that in which the mind is well balanced, and under right influences; in which it sees things in their just proportions and relations; in which it is not feverish and excited, but when everything is in its proper place. It was this state of mind which Timothy was exhorted to cultivate; this which Paul regarded as so necessary to the performance of the duties of his office. It is as needful now for the minister of religion as it was then.

(b) "fear" Rom 8:15, 1Jn 4:18 (c) "power" Lk 24:49

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 7 God hath not given us the spirit of fear - Here is an allusion to the giving of the law on mount Sinai. This was communicated with such terrible majesty as to engender fear in all the Israelites: even Moses, on the occasion, did exceedingly fear and tremble. The Gospel was ushered in, in a much milder manner; every thing was placed on a level with the human intellect; and within reach of every human spirit. Nothing was terrific, nothing forbidding; but all was inviting. The very spirit and genius of it was a spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind. Instead of δειλιας, fear, some MSS. and versions have δουλειας, servitude or bondage; God hath not given unto us the spirit of Bondage - but of power, δυναμεως, to work miracles, to confound enemies, to support us in trials, and enable us to do that which is lawful and right in his sight. And of love, which enables us to hear, believe, hope, and endure all things; and is the incentive to all obedience. Of a sound mind, σωφρονισμου, of self-possession and government, according to some. But a sound mind implies much more; it means a clear understanding, a sound judgment, a rectified will, holy passions, heavenly tempers; in a word, the whole soul harmonized in all its powers and faculties; and completely regulated and influenced so as to think, speak, and act aright in all things. The apostle says, God hath given the spirit of these things; they are not factitious; they are not assumed for times and circumstances; they are radical powers and tempers; each produced by its proper principle.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Timothy 1:6-14

God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, of courage and resolution, to meet difficulties and dangers; the spirit of love to him, which will carry us through opposition. And the spirit of a sound mind, quietness of mind. The Holy Spirit is not the author of a timid or cowardly disposition, or of slavish fears. We are likely to bear afflictions well, when we have strength and power from God to…

Read the full comment on 2 Timothy 1:6-14 →

2 Timothy 1:7 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

οὐouNotG3756
γὰρgarforG1063
ἔδωκενedōkenhas givenG1325
ἡμῖνhēminusG3165
ὁho<the>G3588
θεὸςtheosGodG2316
πνεῦμαpneumaa spiritG4151
δειλίαςdeiliasof cowardiceG1167
ἀλλὰallabutG235
δυνάμεωςdunameōsof powerG1411
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀγάπηςagapēsof loveG26
καὶkaiandG2532
σωφρονισμοῦ.¶sōphronismouof self-control.G4995

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Timothy 1:7

  • Romans 8:15

    For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

  • 1 John 4:18

    There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

  • John 14:27

    Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

  • Galatians 5:22

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

  • Luke 10:19

    Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

  • Acts 1:8

    But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

  • Zechariah 4:6

    Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.

  • Proverbs 2:7

    He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

  • Proverbs 8:14

    Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

  • Romans 5:5

    And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

  • Hebrews 2:15

    And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

  • Acts 20:24

    But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
the spirit.
Ac 20:24; 21:13; Ro 8:15; Heb 2:15; 1Jo 4:18
but.
Mic 3:8; Zec 4:6; Lu 10:19; 24:49; Ac 1:8; 6:8; 9:22; 10:38; 1Co 2:4
of love.
Ro 5:5; Ga 5:22; Col 1:8; 1Pe 1:22
a sound.
Ps 119:80; Pr 2:7; 8:14; Lu 8:35; 15:17; Ac 26:11,25; 2Co 5:13,14

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Timothy 1:6

    Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

  • 2 Timothy 1:7

    For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

  • 2 Timothy 1:8

    Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

Read all of 2 Timothy 1

2 Timothy 1:7 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Porque no nos ha dado Dios el espíritu de temor, sino el de fortaleza, y de amor, y de templanza.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car Dieu ne nous a pas donné un esprit de crainte, mais de puissance, et d’amour, et de conseil.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn Gott hat uns nicht einen Geist der Furchtsamkeit gegeben, sondern der Kraft und der Liebe und der Besonnenheit.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Non enim dedit nobis Deus spiritum timoris: sed virtutis, et dilectionis, et sobrietatis.