Instead of fear, the Spirit gives us “power.”
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
Paul unpacks four fruits of the Spirit’s work in our lives in verse 7: fearlessness, power, love, and self-control. The Spirit does not produce in God’s people “fear,” which could be translated timidity or cowardice. Rather, the Spirit gives us courage or fearlessness even in fearful situations.
We see this in the book of Acts when Peter and John boldly testify to the crucified, risen Lord Jesus before the hostile Jewish Council and when the early church responds to threats against them by praying for God’s help to continue speaking the word “with all boldness” (Acts 4:8–13, 29). Instead of fear, the Spirit gives us “power.”
Jesus promised his witnesses heavenly power to carry out their global mission, and Paul stresses that God shows his supreme power in our weakness (Luke 24:37–49; 2 Cor. 4:8). Spirit-produced power enables us to endure suffering and to abound in hope in whatever circumstances we face (2 Tim. 1:8; Rom. 15:13).