Free Bible Commentary
“2 Timothy 1:6-7”
Categories: 2 Timothy“For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”
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“Kindle afresh the gift of God” (verse 6). When we consider that Paul wrote this letter from a Roman prison cell and that he knew that he would be killed soon for his devotion to Christ, it is understandable why he would encourage Timothy to keep the fire of his faith lit and burning brightly. There would be a great temptation to cower and run for cover in the face of the fierce persecution that a young preacher would be confronted with in this hostile environment.
“God has not given us a spirit of timidity” (verse 7). God will empower His children to stand firmly in their faith if we will only place all of our trust and confidence in Him and His Almighty power to equip us to do all good things in Christ Jesus. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
God has given us a spirit of “power and love and discipline.” God sustains His children through life’s trials and battles through His power (dunameos). Paul wrote about God enabling him to endure his “thorn in the flesh” in 2 Corinthians 12:9 in this manner: “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”
Our “love” for God and mankind will embolden us to do His will through the thickest fight and darkest hours. When we truly love someone, we find strength within us to spring into action that we are not even aware that we possess. And our faith in Christ will enable us to do so, not in an unrestrained manner, but with “discipline” or “self-control”. “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Please read 2 Timothy 1:8-12 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
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