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2 Timothy 1:7

ESV for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
NIV For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
NASB For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
CSB For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.
NLT For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
KJV For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
NKJV For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

What does 2 Timothy 1:7 mean?

The opening phrase of this verse may explain why Paul dwells so much on concepts such as bravery and spiritual strength when writing to Timothy. It's possible this represented a spiritual weakness which Paul was helping Timothy to overcome. Perhaps Timothy was content in his role of serving alongside Paul and did not prefer to be the outspoken leader of a large movement of Christians. And yet, this was the role Timothy held in Ephesus at the time Paul wrote this letter. However, Paul urged Timothy to stand strong. Rather than fear, God had given a spirit or attitude of "power and love and self-control."

"Power" has always been an important part of God's work in the church. In the next verse, Paul notes again the "power of God." In 2 Timothy 3:5, he will speak against those who have an appearance of godliness, but deny its power.

"Love" was also vital theme for Paul (1 Corinthians 13) as well as a prominent topic in the teachings of Jesus. Self-control was a theme in 1 Timothy (1 Timothy 2:9, 15) and appears here again. Paul routinely reminded believers under his care to exhibit self-control, as part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).
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