2 Tim. 1:7. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power.
That is, we did not receive the spirit in order to be timid, but in order to be strong in temptations and to have boldness. To many God also gives a spirit of fear, as it is written in the book of Exodus: "Let fear fall upon them" (Ex. 15:16), that is, God instilled fear in them.
2 Tim. 1:7. And of love.
Of love both toward God and toward neighbors. For even to love God as Father we have from the Spirit, who causes us to cry out: "Abba, Father" (Rom. 8:15). And to remain steadfast in love toward neighbors is a gift proceeding from Divine power; stumbling blocks, on the contrary, proceed from cowardice and faintheartedness. However, we too must first of all show that which depends on ourselves.
2 Tim. 1:7. And of a sound mind.
Or: that we might be prudent, of sound mind, in a healthy state; or: that we might be sober-minded in our spirit, and if some trial befalls us, we would accept it for our guidance; or: that we might also bring others to their senses and teach them reason.
2 Tim. 1:8. Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Many wretched people, judging by human notions about that which is above our understanding, consider it a shame to proclaim that the Son of God was crucified, not knowing that by the power of His Cross the condemned man became a son of God. But you, Timothy, do not be ashamed to bear witness to Christ and His death on the Cross, but preach about it with boldness. The Apostle did not say "do not fear," but "do not be ashamed," to show that this matter holds no danger, but only shame alone; and if you despise it, then all else is safe.
2 Tim. 1:8. Nor of me, His prisoner.
Do not be ashamed that I, who raise the dead, the teacher of the universe, am now bound. I am bound not as an evildoer; I am His prisoner, that is, for His sake. If He was not ashamed of the cross, then how shall I be ashamed of bonds?
2 Tim. 1:8. But suffer hardship with the gospel of Christ.
That is, do not simply show that you were not ashamed, but in experience, in deeds, and be a partaker of the same things with Christ and with me. This he also expressed above in the words: "God has given us the spirit of power." What does "suffer hardship with the gospel" mean? Does the gospel suffer? No, not that; but he either says: suffer together with me for the sake of the gospel, or by "gospel" he means all the preachers of the Gospel and stewards of the mysteries, as also in the Epistle to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 9:12). Therefore, suffer together with the one who has served the gospel. But perhaps someone might call the excessive suffering for the gospel a hindrance to its spread and disbelief in it. Thus, you too suffer together with the suffering gospel.
2 Tim. 1:8. By the power of God.
Since it was difficult to say "suffer," the apostle consoles: not by your own power, he says, but by the power of Christ; yours is only the choice and the readiness.
2 Tim. 1:9. Who saved us and called us with a holy calling.
He presents proofs of the power of God. He saved us, he says, and called the estranged to Himself, in order to make us holy. So, He Who saved us when we were unwilling, will all the more help us now that we are willing.
2 Tim. 1:9. Not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace.
Without any compulsion, without any counsel, but by His own will, that is, from Himself, drawn by His own goodness.
2 Tim. 1:9. Grace given us in Christ Jesus before the times of the ages.
That is, without beginning and before all ages it was foreordained that grace would be given to us "in Christ Jesus, our Lord." It is no small thing for us that God willed this concerning us before all ages.
2 Tim. 1:10. But has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Though the grace was foreordained, it has been revealed now, when the Savior appeared.
2 Tim. 1:10. Destroying death and bringing to light life and incorruption through the gospel.
Christ in His own body actually destroyed death, making the body incorruptible; but us He enlightened through the Gospel—to hope for life and incorruption. For we have not yet actually been made incorruptible, but we shall be; and in this hope the Gospel establishes us.
2 Tim. 1:11. For which I was appointed a preacher and an Apostle and a teacher of the Gentiles.