For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Apostle Paul
Of a Sound Mind
Topic: Overcoming Adversity
“For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Saint Paul the Apostle, also referred to as Saul of Tarsus, was a pivotal figure in the formative years of Christianity. He lived between roughly 5 and 64 or 67 AD, and while not one of the original Twelve Apostles, he dedicated his life to spreading the teachings of Christ to the first-century world. Paul was a Roman citizen born in Tarsus, modern-day Turkey, and he had Jewish roots, being from the tribe of Benjamin. Initially, as a Pharisee knowledgeable in Jewish law, he actively pursued and persecuted early followers of Jesus, viewing them as a threat to Jewish doctrines.
The trajectory of his life was radically altered during a journey to Damascus. During this trip, Paul had a profound vision of the risen Jesus, a moment that has come to be known as the "Damascus Road experience." This spiritual encounter marked his conversion from an adversary of Christians to a zealous advocate of Jesus' teachings. Following this transformation, he spent several years in Damascus and Arabia, after which he returned to Jerusalem to meet some of Jesus' original Apostles. Paul then dedicated his efforts to evangelize, often focusing on spreading the gospel to non-Jewish, or Gentile, communities.
Throughout his life, Paul embarked on three significant missionary trips across Asia Minor and Europe, establishing Christian congregations and disseminating the gospel of Jesus. His letters, known as epistles, to these early Christian communities, such as the Corinthians, Galatians, and Romans, are a considerable part of the New Testament and have significantly influenced Christian theology. Around 57 AD, Paul was arrested in Jerusalem due to conflicts between his teachings and traditional Jewish beliefs. He was later sent to Rome for trial, and according to historical accounts, was martyred there in the mid-60s AD. His impact on the development and spread of Christian thought and doctrine has been profound and enduring, establishing him as an essential figure in the annals of Christianity.
Letter to Timothy
Bennett, Mike. “A Spirit of Power, Love and a Sound Mind.” Life, Hope and Truth, Church of God, a Worldwide Association, Inc., lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/blog/a-spirit-of-power-love-and-a-sound-mind [2 Timothy 1:7].
Apostle Paul
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2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear but one of Love, power, a sound mind and self-control.
There are hints in Paul’s letters that Timothy was naturally more timid. But Paul, as his father in the faith and mentor, wanted to encourage and strengthen him. This summary verse gives an overview of the working of God’s Spirit in us. God gives us power through the Spirit, but that power must be controlled by that essential characteristic of God, love. “God is love,” and He wants us to “love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (1 John 4:8; John 13:34).
The third element, “a sound mind,” is also translated “self-control” and “self-discipline.” In doing God’s work “often the deciding factor between success and failure is the matter of self-discipline” (Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary, Vol. 2, p. 910).
— Mike Bennett [“A Spirit of Power, Love and a Sound Mind,” (2 Timothy 1:7)].
Additional Bible Quotes About Overcoming Fear
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
— Joshua 1:9.
“Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.”
— John 14:27.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
— Matthew 6:34.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
— Psalm 23:4.
“For [the LORD] will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence… You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday… Because you have made the LORD your refuge, the Most High your habitation, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent. For he will give his angels charge of you to guide you in all your ways.”
— Psalm 91 [excerpts].