When Paul left Timothy in Ephesus, the Lord entrusted great responsibilities to this young disciple, who was the apostle’s delegate. After some time, Paul wrote him a letter with more instructions, promising he would come back (1 Tim. 3:14–15). But the apostle was arrested and sent to Rome. There he was put on trial, facing execution. Against this background—a struggle of life and death—Paul wrote Timothy to encourage and instruct him further.

By now, this faithful servant faced even greater challenges, as many believers in Ephesus and its area had decided to no longer follow Paul and his teaching (2 Tim. 1:15). Their abandoning Paul and sound doctrine was deliberate. Many years earlier he had warned the elders that this would happen (Acts 20:29–30). The apostle had given them all the needed instructions to equip them, including the full counsel of God (vv. 27–28). Yet, this sad departure was now taking place. Imagine Timothy’s distress! He may have felt intimidated by the opponents, so Paul challenged him to rekindle his spiritual gift. God had not given a spirit of cowardice, to be afraid, but instead, one of spiritual power. His strength is accomplished in weakness, to be sure, but it is not to be stopped or swayed by fear or timidity.

Paul encouraged his committed young co-worker not to be afraid, even though the apostle was facing imminent death. He reminded Timothy of God’s resources: power, love, and a sound mind. This power lifts us up over and above the enemy’s power, strengthens and equips us to be independent of man’s devices. Such power is exercised in love, after the divine nature we received. All of this is kept in the right balance through a mind exercised and demonstrated in self-discipline and self-control.