The Most Shared Verses In Their Context (2 Timothy 1:7)

Mike Leake 1 Comment

At the end of last year, YouVersion highlighted the top 10 Bible verses that were shared the most. I found the list interesting and thought that it could be helpful to understand them in their original context. Today we are looking at 2 Timothy 1:7–which according to YouVersion was the ninth-most shared verse in 2013.

The Verse:

“…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”. (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV)

The Context:

2 Timothy 1:6-14 is Paul’s challenge to Timothy to boldly and courageously guard the good deposit (1:14) that has been entrusted to him.

You will notice that verse 7 begins with the word “for”. This word is usually a ground—meaning that it is the reason given for the previous statement. Let us follow Paul’s train of thought. In verse 5 Paul says that he is reminded of Timothy’s sincere faith and how this faith came from his mother and grandmother. Paul is certain that this same faith dwells in Timothy. And so “for this reason” Timothy ought to fan into flame the gift of God.

Timothy has an option. He can fan into flame this gift of God or he can let it grow cold. Paul stands before him as a man that has fanned his gifts into flame. But Paul also stands before young Timothy as a man that is suffering as a prisoner because of this gift. If Timothy fans this gift into flame then it is quite likely that suffering awaits him. Letting that fire grow cold would likely mean a life marked with less suffering.

And so Paul reminds Timothy that God gave them a spirit of power and love and self-control and not one of timidity. Paul gets at his point in verse 8-14 when he tells Timothy to not be ashamed but to share in this suffering of the gospel and guard this good deposit that has been entrusted to him.

The Meaning

We live in a scary world and so we like verses that remind us to not be big chickens. 2 Timothy 1:7 is such a verse, but I believe we misapply it. We imagine that Timothy is a weak-kneed introvert that is scared to death to knock on his neighbors door an tell her about Jesus. But there is no indication that Timothy is any more timid than the rest of us if faced with his situation.

With this false story in mind we apply 2 Timothy 1:7 to our situations which might cause cowardice. A young man trying not to wet himself as he asks his girlfriend’s dad for her hand in marriage quotes 2 Timothy 1:7 to himself as a reminder to buck up. A young woman scared to death of a difficult job interview quotes 2 Timothy 1:7 to remind her to be bold and to be who she was made to be.

Those might be fitting applications of 2 Timothy 1:7, but they are not the near application. The near application here is that the gospel and its gifts ought to be fanned into flame even if such a fanning would increase our persecution. And the backbone for such a statement is that God hasn’t called us to be cowards with his precious gospel. God has given to us a spirit that is able to stand up in the midst of suffering with power, love, and self-control.

Many people use 2 Timothy 1:7 as an encouragement in personal evangelism. But should we? I believe it is a fitting application. While we might want to also look at the idolatrous reasons why we are afraid, it is also true that proclaiming the gospel is tough work. There is an element of suffering that is going to be attached to missions work. Sharing Jesus without fear might mean that you haven’t truly counted the cost. When legit fear rears its ugly head remember that the Spirit that indwells you not cowardly with the gospel.

Conclusion:

If you are a believer, then you are at a similar crossroads as Timothy. Will you fan into flame the gift of God—even knowing that such a thing will likely lead to suffering? Or will you let it grow cold and try to keep one bare foot on holy ground while keeping that other shoe-laced up in comfort?

Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world…

Today in Blogworld 09.04.14

Mike Leake

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When Elbowing-Dropping Counsel Leaves You Bruised and Battered

Mike Leake 1 Comment

I’ve always gotten a twisted joy out of watching small children try for a ridiculous amount of time to get a square block into a triangle opening. What I find especially funny is when the really strong kid figures out that if he pushes hard enough he can actually get the circle block into the square hole.

I think I laugh because I’ve been on both sides of this game. I’ve been the counselor trying to shove my square advice into another persons triangle situation. And I’ve felt the pain of being on the receiving end of painful shoves of misapplied counsel, where each inappropriate jab feels like a Macho Man Randy Savage elbow to the face—the “helper” convinced that if he just keeps pushing hard enough he’ll make his counsel fit my situation.

Different Strokes For Different Folks

1 Thessalonians 5:14 lays out for us the truth that certain counsel is fitting for certain people. Here Paul gives us three types of people: the undisciplined idle person, the faint-hearted, and the weak.

The undisciplined idle person is not merely a lazy bum. This is a person that has rejected counsel. The idleness is a settled rebellion. Such a person, we are told, is to be admonished. Admonishing someone is to strongly warn them that the way they are living is contrary to the gospel.

The faint-hearted person is one that has gotten discouraged. They are “small-souled” because they no longer believe they have what it takes to make it. Perhaps it is because of persecution or life circumstances, or maybe it is just a disposition. Such a person we are told should be encouraged. To encourage someone means to come alongside of them. The picture here is of a person crying on a park bench and someone else coming beside them, putting there arm around them, and communicating to them that they can indeed make it.

The weak person might refer to one that has a physical handicap. The word that Paul uses essentially means that they are legless. They can no longer stand on their own legs. We are to help such a person. To help them means to get underneath of them and support their weight. What Paul is saying here is that when our brothers and sisters in Christ “lose their legs” we are to become their legs for them.

Terrible damage would be done if we tried to admonish the weak or the faint-hearted. Likewise if we tried to help or encourage the idle we’d be enabling their sinful attitudes—such a person needs rebuked not encouraged. The wise believer will do whatever he/she can do to assess the standing of the other person and give appropriate counsel.

The Counsel of Jesus

But you know what, we blow it. You’ve blown it. And people have blown it in their counsel with you. You’ve had people hurt you because they tried with all their might to push square counsel into your triangle situation. You were damaged because of that. Can you have a posture of forgive towards that person? Can you let go of the bitterness? No matter if the person was prideful or merely ignorant, are you able to cover it in love?

I am encouraged by 1 Thessalonians 5:14. I’m encouraged because I know that Jesus is perfect in his counsel. He knows my heart fully and he knows the counsel I need. If I need a rebuke and if I need reshaping he isn’t afraid to do it. If I need encouraged he encourages. If I need help he helps. Jesus is perfect in his care for our souls.

And because he is working in my own heart he is making me better at giving appropriate counsel in the lives of others. Take heart, friends, we are being sanctified completely—and by a loving Shepherd that doesn’t elbow drop a square piece into a triangle hole.

Today in Blogworld 09.03.14

Mike Leake 1 Comment

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