"The Gift of God: The Spirit of Power, Love and Self-control"

Paul sent this letter to Timothy his beloved child to encourage him
and to remind him invoke the gift of God that was given him. The gift
of God that Paul is talking about in this context is the spirit of
power, love and self-control which he mentioned in 1:7. Than why Paul
had to remind him to have the spirit of power, love and self-control?
What exactly is the gift of God?

In 1:7, Paul talked about "the spirit of power, love and self-control"
in contrast to the "spirit of fear" which he also mentioned in 1:7. As
you continue reading chapter 1, you will find out that Paul is talking
about "the spirit" in relation to the gospel. And it seems like "the
spirit of fear" was causing a problem in Timothy's work as the
preacher (1:11). So Paul repeatedly commanded Timothy not to be
ashamed of the testimony about the Lord.

Preaching the gospel involves the suffering. So this is the reason
that "shame" and "the spirit of fear" became a problem when Timothy
preached the gospel. Paul also was imprisoned and was in affliction
for the sake of spreading the gospel. But the preachers were not only
the one who were suffered for the sake of the gospel but it also
affected people who surround them. So Phygelus and Hermogenes been
ashamed of the gospel and they turned away from Paul. Demas, Crescens
and Titus also have gone away from poor. But there were also people
like Onesiphorus and his family who did not turn away from Paul in the
days of affliction. Not only that they stayed with Paul, but they were
not ashamed of his imprisonment and so they served him.

Paul encouraged Timothy through out chapter 2 to be strong in the
grace of Jesus Christ. By reading this section, you will be able to
tell that the power in the context of "the spirit of power, love and
self-control" is to be strong in Christ. Because, as Paul written in
4:17, God himself will strengthen them so that the gospel will spread
to the world. So that the world will hear it.

Timothy who is encouraged to be strong in Christ was appointed as the
preacher of the gospel. Paul was also appointed as an apostle and a
teacher. So they both became the loyal soldiers of Christ. As Paul
mentioned about the suffering for the gospel again in 3:12, "Everyone
who wants to live a godly life in union with Christ Jesus will be
persecuted;". But they were also promised that those who endure the
suffering will receive salvation and glory from God (2:10). Paul
endured the suffering so the time for him to leave the earthly life
came. So that he will receive the crown of righteousness and glory.

Even though Paul, Timothy and other apostles were suffered for the
sake of the gospel but the word of God was spread to the world. And
the gospel that they preached is God himself which is also is the the
word of truth. But when Paul sent this letter to Timothy, there were
opponents who miss-lead the church with the false teaching to turned
them away from the word of truth. This was one of the causes of the
suffering that Paul and Timothy were dealing with. Paul is warning
Timothy about these kind of people, because on the last days and the
time of difficulty, the problem of false teaching expanded. So Paul
commanded Timothy to be strong in Christ, so that he will not be
ashamed of the gospel and be ready to spread the word of God even if
the time is right or wrong.

The word "love" that comes out in the phrase "The spirit of power,
love and self-control" is used 4 times in this letter. And 3 out of 4
passages that this word is used also contains the word "faith". It is
interesting that Paul also wrote about "the false love" in this
letter. Because the love that people who goes against the truth of God
had was not the love with faith but it was the love for themselves,
wealth, pleasure and the present world. They are kind of the people
who Paul warned about. Not only that they did not hear the truth, but
they also turn others to false teaching.

Those who were taught the word of the truth are taught to pursue
righteousness, faith, love and peach. So that they will not deceived
by the false teaching. The four things that were listed in 2:22 are
the complete opposite of what is written about the act of people that
turn away from the truth. So those who were given the spirit of power,
love and self-control have to preach the gospel so that the word of
God will spread among the world. Because this is the reason that they
were appointed. Paul and Timothy were also appointed by God as
preachers and missionaries for this reason. And "the spirit" was
required to full fill this duty. Paul is encouraging Timothy to
accomplish the work of evangelist. Because Paul himself full filled
his ministry and his end was near. This is what Paul encouraged
Timothy about by sending this letter.