Throughout Scripture there is a consistent instruction and warning that believers are not to be afraid. This concept of not being fearful is one found elsewhere in God’s word. Paul’s love for God and joy in preaching the good news of Jesus is evident in this chapter as he urges Timothy to stay the course of faith. What great encouragement to Timothy, and surely, this gives hope to Christians today in continuing to spread the Gospel and tell our testimonies no matter what we may encounter or endure as a result. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day” ( 1 Timothy 1:11-12). “And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. Paul was honest that the suffering he endured was due to his mission to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but to not let that discourage Timothy or anyone else as they work to further God’s kingdom. Paul went on to write to Timothy that he should not be ashamed of the Gospel or be fearful to give his testimony. It is apparent that Timothy was a faithful man who loved God and participated in the mission to share the Gospel. In the first chapter, where we find this verse about having a sound mind, Paul greeted Timothy and relayed his thanks to God for Timothy’s faith and ministry. Surely, this letter was written with the understanding that Paul would soon be put to death. The letter includes four chapters with distinct themes, such as an appeal for Timothy to stick to the true Gospel he was taught, a warning against false teachers, a charge to keep living a life of faith, and finally, some personal closing remarks by Paul to Timothy updating him on the ministry. At the time, Paul was imprisoned in Rome and knew his death was coming. He was overseeing the church in Ephesus when Paul wrote this letter to him. Timothy was a beloved fellow brother in Christ and minister with Paul (see 1 Corinthians 4:7). This verse is found in Paul’s second letter to Timothy. We may feel fear at times, but it does not have to overwhelm our minds or dictate our choices. This verse encourages the reader to not let fear consume them because the truth is that God has given His followers power, love, and a sound mind. In this verse, we are instructed to not act in fear or be irrationally minded, but instead, to act within God’s will and be reasonable in our thoughts and ways.įear is often illogical, leads us to make wrong decisions, and eventually, keeps us from experiencing the fullness of having a relationship with God. This word means discipline, self-control, or to act moderately. The original word in the Greek language for “sound mind” is sóphronismos. Instead, what this verse teaches is that followers of Christ are clothed in power and love, and specifically, to have a sound mind means to be disciplined or exercise self-control rather than allowing our fears to control us or keep us from doing what God wants from us. God does not want His children held down or crippled by fear. This verse is reassuring to those who experience fear. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” ( 2 Timothy 1:7).
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