2 Timothy 1:6-7 tells Timothy to rekindle the gift God has already placed in him, because God did not give believers a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love, and self-control. The passage is a personal encouragement from the apostle Paul to a younger co-worker who seems to be losing heart.
Paul wrote this letter near the end of his life, from prison in Rome, to Timothy, whom he had mentored for years and left in charge of the church at Ephesus. The verses sit in the opening section of the letter, where Paul thanks God for Timothy’s sincere faith and then turns to a practical request.
6 For this cause, I remind you that you should stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 (WEB)
2 Timothy 1:6-7 Summary
Paul begins by reminding Timothy of something that has already happened in his life. At some point, through the laying on of Paul’s hands, Timothy received a gift from God for ministry. Paul now asks him to keep that gift burning, the way a person blows on a dying coal to bring it back to flame.
Then Paul explains why this matters. The fear Timothy may be feeling does not come from God. Instead, God has given believers a spirit marked by power, love, and self-control, qualities that equip them to serve faithfully even under pressure.
Context of 2 Timothy 1:6-7
The letter is traditionally attributed to Paul and addressed to Timothy, a young leader in the churches of Asia Minor. Paul’s tone is tender and urgent, and he writes as a father in the faith who knows his own time is short. The surrounding verses show that Timothy’s grandmother Lois and mother Eunice had passed on sincere faith to him, which gives Paul reason to be confident in the young man.
The verses immediately after this passage call Timothy to not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord or of Paul, who is imprisoned for the gospel. Verses 6 and 7 act as the hinge of the paragraph, moving from a reminder of Timothy’s gift to a call to courageous, faithful endurance.
2 Timothy 1:6-7 Verse by Verse
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?
(WEB)
David declares that the Lord is his light and salvation, so he has no reason to fear. This verse echoes the same confidence Paul wants Timothy to recover, grounding courage in who God is rather than in one’s own strength.
Joshua 1:9
Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
(WEB)
God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous and promises to be with him wherever he goes. Like Paul’s words to Timothy, this passage ties courage to the presence and faithfulness of God.
A Prayer Based on 2 Timothy 1:6-7
Lord, you know the fears I carry, some spoken and many unspoken. Thank you that the spirit you give is not one of fear but of power, love, and self-control. Stir up in me the gifts you have already placed in my life, and help me use them with courage. Where I feel weak, remind me that your strength is enough, and where I feel tempted to pull back, fill me with love for the people you have put in front of me. Teach me the discipline to walk steadily in your ways each day. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to stir up the gift of God?
It means to fan a fire back into flame, so the gift becomes active and visible again. Paul is urging Timothy to keep his God-given ministry alive through prayer, faithful use, and courage.
Does God give people a spirit of fear?
According to 2 Timothy 1:7, no, God does not give a spirit of fear. Fear can be a real human experience, but Paul says the Spirit believers receive is marked by power, love, and self-control.
Why did Paul write these verses to Timothy?
Paul was imprisoned in Rome and facing the end of his life, and he wanted to encourage his younger partner to remain faithful. He writes with affection and confidence in Timothy’s sincere faith.
