2 Timothy 1:7

οὐ γὰρ ἔδωκεν ἡμῖν : The γάρ connects this statement with the exhortation preceding in such a way as to suggest that God's gift “to us” of a spirit of power is in the same order of being as the charisma imparted to Timothy by the laying on of St. Paul's hands. The question is, then, To whom is reference made in ἡμῖν ? We can only reply, The Christian Society, represented by the apostles on the Day of Pentecost. (The aor. ἔδωκεν points to a definite occasion). Then it was that the Church began to receive the power, δύναμις, which had been promised (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8) by the Lord, and realised by the apostles collectively (Acts 4:33; 1 Corinthians 4:20; 1 Corinthians 5:4), and individually (Acts 6:8; 1 Corinthians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 6:7; 2 Corinthians 12:9). Whatever special charismata are bestowed on the ministers of the Church at ordination, they are a part of the general stream of the Pentecostal gift which is always being poured out by the ascended Lord.

πνεῦμα δειλίας : It is simplest to take πνεῦμα here as a comprehensive equivalent to χάρισμα, as in 1 Corinthians 14:12, ζηλωταί ἐστε πνευμάτων. God did not infuse into us fearfulness, etc. The gen. after πνεῦμα, in this and similar cases, Romans 8:15 (δουλείας, υἱοθεσίας), Romans 11:8 (κατανύξεως), 1 Corinthians 4:21; Galatians 6:1 (πραΰτητος), 2 Corinthians 4:13 (πίστεως), Ephesians 1:17 (σοφίας, κ. τ. λ.), expresses the prominent idea, the term πνεῦμα adds the notion that the quality spoken of is not self-originated. The personal Holy Spirit is not meant unless the context names Him unambiguously, as in Ephesians 1:13.

δειλία : fearfulness, timidity, timor. This is the right word here, as δουλείας is the right word in Romans 8:15. It is curious that in Leviticus 26:36, where B has δουλείαν A &c. have δειλίαν. See apparat. crit. There was an element of δειλία in Timothy's natural disposition which must have been prejudicial to his efficiency as a Church ruler. For that position is needed (a) force of character, which if not natural may be inspired by consciousness of a divine appointment, (b) love, which is not softness, and (c) self-discipline, which is opposed to all easy self-indulgence which issues in laxity of administration. σωφρονισμοῦ : sobrietatis. Better active, as R.V., discipline, first of self, then of others. See Blass, Grammar, p. 61.