SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:7
Porque no nos ha dado Dios el espíritu de temor, sino el de fortaleza, y de amor, y de templanza.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Timothy 1:7
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 deiliav, fear, some MSS. and versions have douleiav, servitude or bondage; God hath not given unto us the spirit of BONDAGE-but of power, dunamewv, 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, swfronismou, 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear , etc.] A pusillanimous, cowardly spirit, so as to be afraid of men or devils, of what they will say or do; and so as to be discouraged in, sink under, or be deterred from the work of the Lord, the preaching of the Gospel, opposing the errors of false teachers, and reproving men for their sins, and doing other parts of the ministerial function; such a spirit is not from God, and such a fear brings a snare: but of power , and such is the Spirit of God, who is called power from high; ( Luke 24:49) by which the minds of Christ's servants are fortified against reproaches and persecutions for his sake, and are strengthened to resist Satan's temptations, to endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ, to quit themselves like men, in opposition to false teachers, and to do the will and work of God: and of love ; to God, and Christ, and his church, and which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit; and such who have it seek not their own ease and credit, but the glory of God, the interest of Christ, and the good of souls; and having such a spirit, and fired with such love, they are not easily intimidated by the adversary; and of a sound mind : in the principles and doctrines of the Gospel; and which shows itself in a prudent conduct and behaviour; in sobriety, moderation, temperance, purity, and honesty; all which may be signified by the word here used: and these who have such dispositions and qualities from God, will not easily give way to the enemies of religion, or decline their duty for fear of them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-14 - God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, or 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 timid or cowardly disposition, or of slavish fears. We are likely to bear afflictions well, when we have strength and power from God to enable us to bear them. As is usual with Paul, when he mentions Chris and his redemption, he enlarges upon them; so full was he of that whic is all our salvation, and ought to be all our desire. The call of the gospel is a holy call, making holy. Salvation is of free grace. This is said to be given us before the world began, that is, in the purpose of God from all eternity; in Christ Jesus, for all the gifts that com from God to sinful man, come in and through Christ Jesus alone. And a there is so clear a prospect of eternal happiness by faith in Him, wh is the Resurrection and the Life, let us give more diligence in makin his salvation sure to our souls. Those who cleave to the gospel, nee not be ashamed, the cause will bear them out; but those who oppose it shall be ashamed. The apostle had trusted his life, his soul, an eternal interests, to the Lord Jesus. No one else could deliver an secure his soul through the trials of life and death. There is a da coming, when our souls will be inquired after. Thou hadst a sou committed to thee; how was it employed? in the service of sin, or in the service of Christ? The hope of the lowest real Christian rests of the same foundation as that of the great apostle. He also has learne the value and the danger of his soul; he also has believed in Christ and the change wrought in his soul, convinces the believer that the Lord Jesus will keep him to his heavenly kingdom. Paul exhorts Timoth to hold fast the Holy Scriptures, the substance of solid gospel trut in them. It is not enough to assent to the sound words, but we mus love them. The Christian doctrine is a trust committed to us; it is of unspeakable value in itself, and will be of unspeakable advantage to us. It is committed to us, to be preserved pure and entire, yet we mus not think to keep it by our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us; and it will not be gained by those who trust in their own hearts, and lean to their own understandings. (2Ti 1:15-18)
Greek Textus Receptus
ου 3756 γαρ 1063 εδωκεν 1325 5656 ημιν 2254 ο 3588 θεος 2316 πνευμα 4151 δειλιας 1167 αλλα 235 δυναμεως 1411 και 2532 αγαπης 26 και 2532 σωφρονισμου 4995
Vincent's NT Word Studies
7. Spirit of fear (pneuma deiliav). Better, of cowardice. N.T. Comp. Rom. viii. 15, and see on the Spirit, Rom. viii. 4, 5.
Of power (dunamewv). Found in all the Pauline Epistles except Philemon. In Pastorals only here, verse 8, and chapter iii. 5. Not used by our writer in the sense of working miracles, which it sometimes has in Paul. Here, the power to overcome all obstacles and to face all dangers. It is closely linked with the sense of parrhsia boldness.
Of love (agaphv). See on Gal. v. 22.
Of a sound mind (swfronismou). N.T.o . o LXX,o Class. Not self-control, but the faculty of generating it in others or in one's self, making them swfronev of sound mind. Comp. Tit. ii. 4. Rend. discipline. See on swfrosunh 1 Tim. ii. 9.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
1:7 {A spirit of fearfulness} (pneuma deilias). Here pneuma is the carisma of verse #6, the human spirit as endowed by the Holy Spirit (#Ro 8:15). deilia is an old word (deilos, deidw) and always in a bad sense of cowardice, only here in N.T. {Of power} (dunamews). One of Paul's characteristic words (#Ro 1:16). {Of love} (agapes). One of the gifts of the Spirit (#Ga 5:22). "Which drives out fear" (Lock) as in #1Jo 4:18. {Of discipline} (swfronismou). Late _Koin_ word (from swfronizw, to control), self-control, here only in N.T. See #1Ti 2:9 for swfrosune.
