Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Timothy 1:7

"For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline." — 2 Timothy 1:7 (ASV)

For God has not given us the spirit of fear.—Or better, perhaps, the spirit of cowardice—that cowardice which manifests itself by timidity and shrinking in the daily difficulties the Christian encounters in the warfare for the kingdom of God (Compare to John 14:27 and Revelation 21:8).

“Has not given us,” in this particular case, refers to the time when Timothy and St. Paul were admitted into the ministry. The Holy Spirit, let it be remembered, is no Spirit who works cowardice in people. But the reference is also a far broader one than merely to the Holy Spirit conferred on ministers of the Lord at ordination. It is a grave reminder to Christians of every age and rank that all cowardice, all dread of danger, all shrinking from doing one’s duty for fear of human displeasure, proceeds not from the Spirit of God.

But of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.—Instead of rendering the Greek word as “a sound mind,” it would be better to substitute the translation self-control. The Holy Spirit works in those to whom it is given, power, or strength, to fight the fight of God; power not only to patiently endure but also to strike good blows for Christ—the power, for instance, of steadfastness in resisting temptation, the strong will that guides other, weaker ones along the narrow way “of love.”

It also works in those to whom God gives the blessed gift: that strange, sweet love for others that leads to noble deeds of self-surrender—that love that never shrinks from a sacrifice that may benefit a friend or even a neighbor. And lastly, the Spirit works in us “self-control”—selbst-beherrschung—that power which enables the man or woman living in and mixing with the world, and exposed to its varied temptations and pleasures, to regulate and keep passions, desires, and impulses in wise subjection.