2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.King James Version
The same verse in modern English
For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.2 Timothy 1:7, World English Bible (WEB)
KJV and WEB compared
The KJV reads “hath not given us the spirit of fear,” the WEB “didn’t give us a spirit of fear.” The Greek has no word for the, so the WEB says a. The KJV’s hath suggests a gift that still holds; the WEB’s past tense points back to a moment, perhaps the laying on of hands. The closing “sound mind” and “self-control” render one Greek word for a disciplined mind. Both print spirit in lower case, leaving open whether the Holy Spirit or a frame of mind is meant.
Sitting with this verse
The letter names Paul as writer and Timothy, his younger co-worker, as reader. Just before, Paul urges him to fan God's gift into flame, a gift given when Paul laid hands on him; just after, not to be ashamed of the testimony about the Lord. Power, love and a steady mind belong together. Fear is real, but a spirit of fear is not God's gift. Ask for that steadiness in whatever feels too large today.
Older words in this verse
- hath
- has
From 2 Timothy 1
Timothy's faith was passed down through his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice. Who carried faith to you? Thank God for them, and ask for courage instead of fear.
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