Note 3 at 2 Tim. 1:7: In the previous verses, Paul was remembering the godly heritage of Timothy (v. 5), and expressing his longing to see Timothy (v. 4). In verse six, Paul wanted to stir Timothy up by reminding him of what he had. Every true believer has also received these same things from God.

First, Timothy was not given the spirit of fear. W. E. Vine defines the Greek word "DEILIA," which was translated here as "fear," as "denoting cowardice and timidity and is never used in a good sense."

Most people recognize that dread, fright, and terror are not from God, but they often fail to put things like timidness and worry in the same category (see note 8 at v. 7). Shyness or timidness is just being afraid of what others think of you. Its root is pride or self-centeredness (see note 11 at Acts 20:30, p. 700). Once we become secure that God Almighty loves us no matter what, then fear of men will have no place in our lives (Prov. 29:25). Those who operate in fear are not yet made perfect in God's love (1 Jn. 4:18).

Paul's purpose in saying this to Timothy was to encourage him. Timothy was the head of the Ephesian church, which could have been as large as 100,000 people (see note 3 at 1 Tim. 1:3, p. 1263). There is no doubt that he was the object of much criticism and it would have been easy for him to fall into fear. He also was the main target of those who were persecuting Christians in Ephesus because he was the bishop of that church. God had given him the spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind, which was more than enough to counter all the opposition men directed his way.

Note 4 at 2 Tim. 1:7: Paul is presenting fear as the opposite of power, love and a sound mind. Truly, a person in fear is rendered powerless. Fear saps our strength and causes us to submit to things we never would, if we were not in fear. There is no love in fear and no fear in love. They are opposite emotions and mutually exclusive (1 Jn. 4:18). Fear also causes us to think emotionally and not logically. Fear is deadly and something that we should not tolerate in our lives. Fear activates the power of the devil similar to the way faith releases the power of God.

Note 5 at 2 Tim. 1:7: The combination of these virtues is very important. History is full of examples of people who had power, but seldom has that power been combined with love and even less often with a sound mind.

The power that God invests His servants with is not power to control and manipulate, but rather power to serve others in love (Mt. 20:26-27; 23:11). There are times when love will cause us to use our God given power in an authoritarian way, but that is seldom. It certainly is not the norm.

This power is also coupled with a sound mind. As stated in note eight at this verse, a sound mind is having self-control and self-discipline. How often have those virtues been missing in leaders? In the world's system, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. With God, those walking in His power will serve others in love and lead a life of discipline. There will not be unrestrained lusts for money or illicit sexual pleasure, as so often is the case with ungodly leaders.

Note 6 at 2 Tim. 1:7: "Power" is translated from the Greek noun "DUNAMIS" and is translated elsewhere by the English words and phrases "wonderful works" (Mt. 7:22), "mighty works" (Mt. 11:20), "ability" (Mt. 25:15), "virtue" (Mk. 5:30), "miracle" (Mk. 9:39), "workers of miracles" (1 Cor. 12:29), "strength" (2 Cor. 12:9), "might" (Col. 1:11), and "power" (Acts 1:8 and 2 Tim 1:7).

God would be unjust to call us to do something and not give us the power to get it done. Most of the things God asks us to do are beyond our ability. We need His miraculous power and He freely gives it.

Paul was stirring up Timothy by reminding him that God's supply was greater than the task. This is good for all of us to remember. Fear is eliminated by looking at God within us, not the problems before us.

Note 7 at 2 Tim. 1:7: The virtue of love is given to every believer in Christ. It is in stark contrast with the fear that controls those who don't know Christ. Receiving God's love will destroy fear in our lives because, "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" (1 Jn. 4:18).

Note 8 at 2 Tim. 1:7: The word "sound" was translated from the Greek word "SOPHRONISMOS" which means, "discipline, i.e. self-control" (Strong). This could be applied towards a person thinking correctly as opposed to being senile or demented, but it more specifically applies to self-discipline and self-control.

The Amplified Version of the Bible translates this verse as, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity-of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear-but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control."