Bible Strands
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to Timothy, his young protégé in Ephesus, who is evidently shrinking from the task of ministry. The surrounding verses (1:6, 1:8) show Paul pressing him to stop being ashamed and to join in suffering for the gospel.
The words — δειλίας (deilias) is the key noun; it means "cowardice" or "timidity," not the healthy reverence or awe that Scripture elsewhere commends. Paul's point is that this particular disposition is not a gift from God, so it can be set down.
The thread — Romans 8:15 draws the same contrast between a spirit of slavery that returns to fear and the Spirit of adoption. 1 John 4:18 grounds the mechanism: perfect love drives out fear because fear involves punishment.
Why it lands — The verse is not a blanket denial that fear exists; it is a re-attribution. Paul tells Timothy that his timidity is not divinely sourced, which means it is not his identity and does not bind him to inaction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Cross-references
- Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
- 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.
- John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.
- Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
- Luke 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.
- Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
- Zechariah 4:6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.
- Proverbs 2:7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk with integrity,
- Proverbs 8:14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.
- Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.