"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 (1:6). 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?

The Spirit of Power, Love and Self-control

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 (1:8, 12, 16).

To Have No Feeling of Shame

Preaching the gospel involves the suffering (1:8, 12, 2:9, 3:11, 4:5,
4:14). 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
(1:16). 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 (1:15). Demas, Crescens and Titus also have gone away
from Paul (4:10). But there were also people like Onesiphorus and his
family who did not turn away from Paul in the days of affliction
(1:16). Not only that they stayed with Paul, but they were not ashamed
of his imprisonment and so they served him (1:17).

The Spirit of Power

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 (2:1). 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 (4:17).

Timothy who is encouraged to be strong in Christ was appointed as the
preacher of the gospel (1:11). Paul was also appointed as an apostle
and a teacher. So they both became the loyal soldiers of Christ (2:3).
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 (4:6).

The Word of God

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 (2:15, 4:2, 17). 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
(2:18, 3:7, 8, 4:4). Paul is warning Timothy about these kind of
people, because on the last days and the time of difficulty (3:1), the
problem of false teaching expanded (4:4). 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
(4:2, 5).

The True Love and Faith in Christ

The word "love" that comes out in the phrase "The spirit of power,
love and self-control" is used 4 times in this letter (1:7, 13, 2:22,
3:10). And 3 out of 4 passages that this word is used also contains
the word "faith" (1:13, 2:22, 3:10). 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 (3:2-4) and
the present world (4:10). 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 (2:16, 4:4).

The Work of Evangelists

Those who were taught the word of the truth (3:14-17) are commanded to
pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace (3:22). 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 (3:2-4). 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 (4:1-5, 4:17).