For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear…
Summary: Paul’s insight about fear is an important one for us to understand.
This passage is powerful. In it, Paul tells us that God does not give us a spirit of “deilia.”
“Deilia” is Greek meaning timidity, fearfulness, or cowardice.*
It is easy to see why Paul would point this out, especially to Timothy. Paul has laid a heavy spiritual responsibility on Timothy, and there is no room for hesitation or being timid. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul instructed him to “command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer” (1 Timothy 1:3). This is the exact opposite of being timid.
But to be clear, there is a fear that we should have.
Speaking to his disciples before a crowd of thousands of people, Jesus taught them this:
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” (Luke 12:4-5, NIV)
The fear of God is very different than the fear Paul mentioned to Timothy. In quoting Jesus, Luke used the word “phobeō,” which means “to be in awe of, revere, show reverence.”† Our fear of God is the respect due the Creator of all things.
In one sense, we could say that Paul is pointing us away from weakness, while at the same time pointing us to our strength.
God is that strength. The Spirit of God is many things, but it is not weakness in the face of physical threats.
As we go through life with Christ, the Spirit of God will prompt us to do things that might be uncomfortable. Perhaps it is spending more time in the Bible or being more patient with someone who irritates us. We might be prompted to reach out to someone in need, or encourage someone we do not know. We might be tasked with doing things we never thought we could do.
The opposite of this feeling is timidity…fear. Fear of doing what we know is right is not from God.
Application: The fear of God drives out all other fear.
Food for Thought: How do we get more of what God wants us to have?
*”G1167 – deilia – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 7 Sep, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1167/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.”
†”G5399 – phobeō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NIV).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 7 Sep, 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5399/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.”
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