This verse comes from what is considered traditionally as the last epistle the apostle Paul wrote before he died. He was suffering in chains as a prisoner in Rome (1:17,2:9) and some believers were ashamed to associate with him for being in prison for the Gospel (1:8,15-18). We can say this was a kind of poignant good-bye letter he was writing to his disciple Timothy (4:6-8). He was exhorting Timothy to continue with the anointing and commissioning that he himself had charged and blessed him with and released him into, through the laying on of his own hands (1:6, the previous verse). He reminds Timothy that the Holy Spirit that is in him is not a spirit of timidity (or fear, as in other translations) but of power (an attribute of the Holy Spirit that changes lives and works miracles, signs and wonders) and love (one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit that drives out all fear and enables the believer to love the unlovable) and discipline (another fruit of the Holy Spirit that brings good character). Timothy, the young man to whom this letter was addressed, was not just a believer but a leader; he was the anointed pastor of his church and was known for his extraordinary faith which was passed on to him by his mother and grandmother(1:5). As such the letter contains reminders, warnings and exhortations by the apostle Paul for Timothy to keep doing the work that God had called him to do. Paul likened the Christian call to that of being a soldier, an athlete and a farmer (2:4-6) – vocations that require a lot of hard work and discipline. Being young, he was reminded to flee from youthful lusts and instead pursue the godly virtues, to watch that he conducts himself in gentleness when correcting the people under him and to watch his doctrine and know exactly what he is teaching (2:15, 3:14-17), to be faithful in preaching the Gospel of salvation in season or out of season, to be patient to reprove, rebuke, exhort, instruct (2:25, 4:2-5), as he fulfills his ministry. Being a Christian, a pastor, preacher, teacher and evangelist require a lot of love, power and discipline. For me, as a believer, this is sobering and humbling. But thank God, He gave me His Holy Spirit so I can do the seemingly impossible!
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Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible, Bible App by YouVersion.com
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Art courtesy of YouVersion Bible app. I am using the Bible App by YouVersion.com for my daily devotion. Download it now for your mobile device. https://j794q.app.goo.gl/nd4yPrGj7Hbhy9Kk8
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