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In 2 Timothy 1:7, the apostle Paul reminds Timothy that “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (ESV). The spirit that Paul refers to is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. The Spirit is omnipotent, and He graciously imparts power, love, and self-control to every believer. In this article, we will focus on the meaning of the word power and how having the spirit of power affects our daily lives.
In 2 Timothy 1:7, the word power refers to divine enablement and empowerment, signifying the strength imparted to believers through the Holy Spirit. This power allows us to proclaim the gospel boldly (Acts 4:29), face challenges courageously (1 Corinthians 16:13), and fulfill our calling in Christ (Colossians 4:17). Left to our own strength, we could not accomplish these things. That is why we must yield to the sovereign power of the Holy Spirit, who enables us to perform seemingly impossible things.
It is crucial for us believers to acknowledge the source of our strength because it reminds us that we are not alone. God is always present, guiding and sustaining us through every circumstance that we face. As the Lord told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV). To which Paul said, “Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (ESV).
The basic idea is that mere human strength cannot meet the demands and challenges of discipleship. We must accept, then, that it is “God working in [us], giving [us] the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13, NLT).
In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul contrasts a spirit of fear with the spirit of power. Although fear is a natural emotion, it can keep us from carrying out God’s will for our lives. The Holy Spirit does not make us fearful or timid. The spirit of power, however, breaks the chains of fear, empowering us to be bold and confident in the face of adversity (2 Corinthians 3:12; Ephesians 3:12).
In frightening and uncertain times, we need to be reminded of the power available to us. This was especially true for Timothy, who faced opposition from false teachers (see 2 Timothy 2:25–26). The false teachers caused many problems for Pastor Timothy, but they were no match for the almighty power of God. Regardless of the opponent, we can rely on God’s power to deliver us from trouble and strengthen us with courage (Psalm 34:4).
In 2 Timothy 1:7, power is connected to love and self-control. It is through the power of God that we can love selflessly and exercise self-control. Love is not a feeling; it is an action. In other words, we demonstrate our love for God and others through what we do and how we serve (Matthew 22:37–39; 1 John 4:7–8).
In Galatians 5:23, self-control is listed as a fruit of the Spirit. Through the power of God, we have self-control over our sinful desires, impulses, and actions. In times of weakness, the Holy Spirit helps us to remain disciplined, obedient, and holy.
As we reflect on 2 Timothy 1:7, may we be encouraged to rely on the spirit of power in our daily lives. Instead of being bound by and consumed with fear, we can live boldly, love selflessly, exercise self-control, and confront the challenges of life with confidence.
