2 Timothy 1:7 Commentary

It is not the spirit of fearfulness that characterised the heathen religions, which, where they ceased to be frivolous, appealed to human misgivings and apprehensions... It need hardly be said that "reverence and godly fear" are another thing... Lowly reverence and self-abasement go hand in hand with the fullest confidence and repose in the Divine favour.

The Spirit we have received is one "of power and of love and of a sound mind." Mark the three distinct characteristics, truly potent for good when blended, but inadequate when one or other is absent... For power and love without the concomitant of a wise judgment would be as a noble ship driven by favouring wind and tide but without a helm. Power and a sound mind without the incentive of love will lack all that has value in God's eyes, and be as worthless as the "sounding brass and tinkling cymbal." Lastly, love and a sound mind may and do fail of effect if there be a lack of energy and zeal.

That is not the Holy Spirit exactly, but it could not be apart from His indwelling. The indwelling Spirit imparts to us this three-fold character, apart from which we cannot stand in the evil day. It is the life and spirit of Jesus Christ in us... Power without love might be ruthless, and love without the sound mind might be weakness.

The apostle was treating of service, and urging his son in the faith to get the better of a diffidence which, if not carried to excess, is even seemly, especially in the young, but which might become a positive hindrance where boldness for the truth was imperative. Perhaps that is why power is put first, as the dominant tone in the harmony. It was evidently, of the three, the characteristic in which Timothy was most deficient.

They found him, "sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind." You could not have a better illustration of a sound mind than that. He sat at the feet of Jesus as a disciple, and went at His bidding to bear witness in the City to the delivering power of the Lord. It is the touch of the great Physician and His word that heals the mind. The sound mind thinks soberly; the man who has it is not puffed up by his knowledge; he puts Christ first, and considers for His glory and not for his own interest.

A man might easily carry the love of good into either a sentiment or an enthusiasm; but the Spirit of God gives sobriety. He is "a Spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind." Thus is everything kept in its true place, because through Him all is seen and weighed in the presence of God.

The more excellent way is to see to it by prayer and dependence that in our measure, however small, the three work harmoniously. But seeing that we are bidden to be subject one to another, perhaps there is room for thus mutually supplying what we individually lack.