2 Timothy 1:7 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) For God did not give us a spirit [i.e., a disposition] that makes us cowards but one that gives us power and love and self-control. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. American Standard Version (1901) For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. Common English Bible God didn’t give us a spirit that is timid but one that is powerful, loving, and self-controlled. Catholic Public Domain Version For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of virtue, and of love, and of self-restraint. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power, and of love, and of sobriety. |
See, I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions [i.e., to receive protection from accidental contact with venomous creatures. See Acts 28:5] and [to have authority] over all the power of the enemy [i.e., Satan. See verse 18]. And nothing at all will hurt you.
But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread to eat, and here I am, dying from hunger!
And look, I [am going to] send upon you apostles what my Father promised [i.e., the Holy Spirit. See John 14:26]; but you should wait in the city [of Jerusalem] until you are clothed with power from above.” [Note: This promise was fulfilled when the apostles were immersed in the Holy Spirit. See Acts 1:4 - 2:4].
People went out to see [i.e., to find out] what had happened. And [when] they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the evil spirits had been driven out sitting down at Jesus’ feet with his clothes on and perfectly sane, they were afraid.
I leave you with peace; I give you my peace. I am not giving you peace like the world gives. Do not allow your hearts to be upset or afraid.
But, you apostles will receive power when the Holy Spirit descends on you and [then] you will become My witnesses [i.e., to tell what you know] in Jerusalem, in [the countries of] Judea and Samaria, and [even] to the distant regions of the earth.”
This message was about Jesus from Nazareth and how God specially chose Him [and signified it] by giving Him the Holy Spirit and power. He traveled all over doing good [for people] and healing everyone who was [being] oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
But I do not consider my life to be of value, as precious to me, [when compared to the importance of] accomplishing my task and the mission I received from the Lord Jesus to declare the good news of God’s unearned favor [through Christ].
[But] Paul answered, “What are you trying to do [by your] crying and breaking my heart [like this]? [Do you not know that] I am ready, not only to be chained up, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus?”
I often persecuted them in the synagogues, [even] trying to get them to blaspheme [i.e., speak against God]. I had extreme anger toward them and [even] traveled to foreign cities [in my effort] to persecute them.
But Paul replied, “I am not crazy, Your Excellency Festus; I am [just] speaking a message of truth and sound reason.
And Stephen [i.e., one of the seven men chosen to minister to widows, verse 5], who was full of [God’s] favor and power, performed great wonders and [miraculous] signs in front of the [Jewish] people.
But Saul was strengthened [spiritually] and proceeded to confound the Jews living [there] in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
For while we were still helpless, at [just] the proper time, Christ died for ungodly people.
For you did not receive the Holy Spirit, to enslave you again to fear, [Note: Some translators take “Holy Spirit” here to be “spirit,” making the verse say “you did not receive the spirit of slavery”], but you received the Holy Spirit [or, a spirit] by adoption [who produces] sonship, so we can call out, “Abba” [which means] “Father.”
And I did not use persuasive words of [human] wisdom in my message and preaching, but they were [accompanied by] a demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power [from God]. [Note: This “demonstration” could have included the evidence of miraculous spiritual gifts which Paul utilized while there in Corinth. See 14:18].
But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,
He also told us about your love, [which is produced] by the Holy Spirit.
And [also He could] release all of those people who, because of their fear of death, were [kept] in bondage all their lives.
[Since] you have purified your souls by [your] obedience to the truth [i.e., the Gospel message], which produces a genuine love for your brothers, [now] you should have this kind of fervent, heartfelt love for one another.
There is no [reason for] fear if one [really] loves, but a complete love removes fear [from us] because fear produces punishment [i.e., mental anxiety], and the person who is [always] afraid does not have a complete love.