For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
God has not given a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind, which is sound judgment and wisdom. It was written to Timothy as a fatherly charge to stir up the gift of God in him, building on the genuine faith that lived first in his grandmother and mother and on his training from childhood in the Scriptures for knowing God and Jesus Christ. It calls believers not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord but to share the afflictions of the gospel in the power of God, giving courage to endure disgrace, hardship, imprisonment, or even death without shame. That same gift equips ministers, even the young and timid, to speak the truth boldly and preach Christ crucified with power and love, without fear or carnal pleasing. A sound mind is a gift from God to be prayed for and sought when feelings run high, growing through closer connection with God with more of Jesus and less of self, for true religion ennobles the mind, sanctifies judgment, and brings peace.
Setting and Promise
Paul wrote to Timothy as his son in the gospel with a fatherly charge to stir up the gift of God in him by the putting on of hands. That charge built on the unfeigned faith that first dwelt in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. It belonged to training from childhood in the Scriptures that goes beyond mere head knowledge to spiritual welfare, to knowing the true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent, to becoming a diligent student of the Scriptures and not only reading and teaching the Word, under prayerful instruction.
In its context the verse calls believers not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord nor of Paul as His prisoner, but to be partakers of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God. That means holding fast the form of sound words in faith and love in Christ Jesus, and keeping the good thing committed to them by the Holy Ghost who dwells in believers. It is an exhortation to remember a holy calling and to proclaim the gospel, remaining unashamed and confident in God despite suffering.
That power rests on a salvation and holy calling given not according to works but according to God's own purpose and grace given in Christ Jesus before the world began. That purpose and grace has now been made manifest by the appearing of Christ, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
The plain promise is that fear does not come from God, for God has not given a spirit of fear. What He has given is a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind, also understood as sound judgment and wisdom. His Spirit does not produce fear but develops qualities that ennoble character and dignify human nature, restoring people from Satan's influence and fitting them to reflect God's glory.
Courage for Witness
The gift replaces fear with power and love and sound judgment, and by it God's people can face suffering for Christ and the gospel without shame even when faithfulness brings disgrace, imprisonment, or death. It gives steadfast faith and courage to bear witness to Christ, to refuse shame for testimony to the Lord, and to take part in the hardships of the gospel through God's power for the good of the church. This is a call to endure shame, hardship, imprisonment, or death rather than draw back from witness.
The same courage equips servants to carry out the work of teaching the Word faithfully and sharing the truth without being ashamed even when service brings suffering. It strengthens young ministers to remain steadfast, and it lifts the timid and discouraged to speak boldly about faith and lift up Jesus before others. There is no fear given in speaking, so the truth is to be spoken clear and close and practical, preaching Christ and Him crucified with the power and love and sound mind given by God. That preaching refuses carnal methods to please and attract people, refuses drollery and novelty and romance, and refuses striving about words.
This assurance belongs with being meek and lowly and contrite, and it comes from knowing God's will. Christ's Spirit by it develops qualities that ennoble character and dignify human nature, restoring people from Satan's influence and fitting them to reflect God's glory. Those who are heaven-bound are therefore to show the attractive part of faith with joy and praise to Christ who lives to make intercession for them, rather than going as a crippled band of mourners groaning and complaining all along the journey to the Father's house. That confidence rests in a salvation and holy calling given not according to works but according to God's own purpose and grace given in Christ before the world began, now made manifest by Christ's appearing, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
The power is given to stand when the devil is active and is neither dead nor asleep. Whole legions of devils watch minds seeking to get hold of them, yet those who receive power and love and a sound mind need not be overcome. The gift works as they keep close to the Word of God, exercise faith in God, keep close to Christ in following His Word, and stand where they can hear and be taught His instruction, because God is living and Christ is living.
Sound Mind in Life
A sound mind is a gift from God to be asked for in prayer, including through the prayers of brethren on one's behalf. It is sought especially when feelings are highly stirred and judgment is unbalanced. It grows through closer connection with God, with more of Jesus and less of self.
Its opposite is a diseased, unbalanced mind that does not know itself, holding perverted views of others. It shows itself in pride, self-exaltation and self-sufficiency, in a high estimate of one's own perception, abilities and value, and in intolerance and scorn toward brethren. It shows itself also in lack of self-control and sanctified judgment, in impulsive and changeable feelings, and in feeling whole and in need of nothing while spiritually destitute and untrustworthy. Such an impulsive, unreasonable, self-sufficient spirit brings discord, is contrary to Christian character and to harmony with pure heavenly angels, and calls for a great change.
A sound mind comes by coming to one's senses and changing course, by taking the eyes off self and looking to Jesus, where self-righteous ideas are diminished and sin is confessed. It means sensing spiritual poverty and need of help, and feeling inability to do any righteous thing without the Holy Spirit. It means welcoming the Spirit's conviction of sin and making room for Christ as meek and lowly in heart. It means becoming safe by linking with brethren and willingly receiving counsel from God through His appointed agencies.
True religion gives such a sound mind, ennobling the mind, refining taste, sanctifying judgment, and drawing the person toward heaven's purity and holiness. It enters every act and relationship in life, brings happiness and peace, draws angels near, and separates the person from the world's influence. Soundness of mind belongs with soundness of body, together with a healthy body and a sanctified heart, and with better judgment, reason, conscience, and the higher powers of nature. Love for stimulating drinks such as coffee and tea works against that gift, for their intoxicating power spurs up nature, quickens a drooping mind, and cheers the jaded nervous system while increasing dyspepsia and consumptive cough, so that those who cling to them value gratified passion more than a sound mind and let unnatural animal passion rule over judgment, reason, and conscience. Poor physical health such as a diseased stomach weakens that soundness, bringing blueness of spirit and loss of hope, courage and faith, leading to abrupt and harsh speech, especially toward youth, and to impatient, unkind judgment of matters brought for decision. Giving way to despondency defeats the gift and creates a harmful atmosphere around souls, while being filled with the Spirit of Christ keeps the mind sound to deal kindly, courteously and helpfully with brethren, sisters, workers and youth.
The verse calls God's people, especially medical and educational workers, to show wisdom, power, and a sound mind. These qualities give deeper insight and wider understanding to perceive and carry out the good God intends through their service, and to receive the benefit He intends through the use of Christ's Object Lessons and The Ministry of Healing. They enable workers and church members to act with wisdom, power, and sound judgment in His work. The promise was applied personally that the Lord would give wisdom, judgment, and a sound mind, guide by the Holy Spirit, and keep from being led astray.
God has not given a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind, which is sound judgment and wisdom. It was written to Timothy as a fatherly charge to stir up the gift of God in him, building on the genuine faith that lived first in his grandmother and mother and on his training from childhood in the Scriptures for knowing God and Jesus Christ. It calls believers not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord but to share the afflictions of the gospel in the power of God, giving courage to endure disgrace, hardship, imprisonment, or even death without shame. That same gift equips ministers, even the young and timid, to speak the truth boldly and preach Christ crucified with power and love, without fear or carnal pleasing. A sound mind is a gift from God to be prayed for and sought when feelings run high, growing through closer connection with God with more of Jesus and less of self, for true religion ennobles the mind, sanctifies judgment, and brings peace.
Setting and Promise
Paul wrote to Timothy as his son in the gospel with a fatherly charge to stir up the gift of God in him by the putting on of hands. That charge built on the unfeigned faith that first dwelt in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. It belonged to training from childhood in the Scriptures that goes beyond mere head knowledge to spiritual welfare, to knowing the true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent, to becoming a diligent student of the Scriptures and not only reading and teaching the Word, under prayerful instruction.
In its context the verse calls believers not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord nor of Paul as His prisoner, but to be partakers of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God. That means holding fast the form of sound words in faith and love in Christ Jesus, and keeping the good thing committed to them by the Holy Ghost who dwells in believers. It is an exhortation to remember a holy calling and to proclaim the gospel, remaining unashamed and confident in God despite suffering.
That power rests on a salvation and holy calling given not according to works but according to God's own purpose and grace given in Christ Jesus before the world began. That purpose and grace has now been made manifest by the appearing of Christ, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
The plain promise is that fear does not come from God, for God has not given a spirit of fear. What He has given is a spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind, also understood as sound judgment and wisdom. His Spirit does not produce fear but develops qualities that ennoble character and dignify human nature, restoring people from Satan's influence and fitting them to reflect God's glory.
Courage for Witness
The gift replaces fear with power and love and sound judgment, and by it God's people can face suffering for Christ and the gospel without shame even when faithfulness brings disgrace, imprisonment, or death. It gives steadfast faith and courage to bear witness to Christ, to refuse shame for testimony to the Lord, and to take part in the hardships of the gospel through God's power for the good of the church. This is a call to endure shame, hardship, imprisonment, or death rather than draw back from witness.
The same courage equips servants to carry out the work of teaching the Word faithfully and sharing the truth without being ashamed even when service brings suffering. It strengthens young ministers to remain steadfast, and it lifts the timid and discouraged to speak boldly about faith and lift up Jesus before others. There is no fear given in speaking, so the truth is to be spoken clear and close and practical, preaching Christ and Him crucified with the power and love and sound mind given by God. That preaching refuses carnal methods to please and attract people, refuses drollery and novelty and romance, and refuses striving about words.
This assurance belongs with being meek and lowly and contrite, and it comes from knowing God's will. Christ's Spirit by it develops qualities that ennoble character and dignify human nature, restoring people from Satan's influence and fitting them to reflect God's glory. Those who are heaven-bound are therefore to show the attractive part of faith with joy and praise to Christ who lives to make intercession for them, rather than going as a crippled band of mourners groaning and complaining all along the journey to the Father's house. That confidence rests in a salvation and holy calling given not according to works but according to God's own purpose and grace given in Christ before the world began, now made manifest by Christ's appearing, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
The power is given to stand when the devil is active and is neither dead nor asleep. Whole legions of devils watch minds seeking to get hold of them, yet those who receive power and love and a sound mind need not be overcome. The gift works as they keep close to the Word of God, exercise faith in God, keep close to Christ in following His Word, and stand where they can hear and be taught His instruction, because God is living and Christ is living.
Sound Mind in Life
A sound mind is a gift from God to be asked for in prayer, including through the prayers of brethren on one's behalf. It is sought especially when feelings are highly stirred and judgment is unbalanced. It grows through closer connection with God, with more of Jesus and less of self.
Its opposite is a diseased, unbalanced mind that does not know itself, holding perverted views of others. It shows itself in pride, self-exaltation and self-sufficiency, in a high estimate of one's own perception, abilities and value, and in intolerance and scorn toward brethren. It shows itself also in lack of self-control and sanctified judgment, in impulsive and changeable feelings, and in feeling whole and in need of nothing while spiritually destitute and untrustworthy. Such an impulsive, unreasonable, self-sufficient spirit brings discord, is contrary to Christian character and to harmony with pure heavenly angels, and calls for a great change.
A sound mind comes by coming to one's senses and changing course, by taking the eyes off self and looking to Jesus, where self-righteous ideas are diminished and sin is confessed. It means sensing spiritual poverty and need of help, and feeling inability to do any righteous thing without the Holy Spirit. It means welcoming the Spirit's conviction of sin and making room for Christ as meek and lowly in heart. It means becoming safe by linking with brethren and willingly receiving counsel from God through His appointed agencies.
True religion gives such a sound mind, ennobling the mind, refining taste, sanctifying judgment, and drawing the person toward heaven's purity and holiness. It enters every act and relationship in life, brings happiness and peace, draws angels near, and separates the person from the world's influence. Soundness of mind belongs with soundness of body, together with a healthy body and a sanctified heart, and with better judgment, reason, conscience, and the higher powers of nature. Love for stimulating drinks such as coffee and tea works against that gift, for their intoxicating power spurs up nature, quickens a drooping mind, and cheers the jaded nervous system while increasing dyspepsia and consumptive cough, so that those who cling to them value gratified passion more than a sound mind and let unnatural animal passion rule over judgment, reason, and conscience. Poor physical health such as a diseased stomach weakens that soundness, bringing blueness of spirit and loss of hope, courage and faith, leading to abrupt and harsh speech, especially toward youth, and to impatient, unkind judgment of matters brought for decision. Giving way to despondency defeats the gift and creates a harmful atmosphere around souls, while being filled with the Spirit of Christ keeps the mind sound to deal kindly, courteously and helpfully with brethren, sisters, workers and youth.
The verse calls God's people, especially medical and educational workers, to show wisdom, power, and a sound mind. These qualities give deeper insight and wider understanding to perceive and carry out the good God intends through their service, and to receive the benefit He intends through the use of Christ's Object Lessons and The Ministry of Healing. They enable workers and church members to act with wisdom, power, and sound judgment in His work. The promise was applied personally that the Lord would give wisdom, judgment, and a sound mind, guide by the Holy Spirit, and keep from being led astray.