Spirit of Timothy

Paul's instructions to his son in the faith, Timothy, parallel Ephesians 6, where, before we are exhorted to 'put on the whole armour of God,' we are told to 'be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.'

Timothy needed to be strong; to overcome his fear, Paul reminds him that God has NOT given him a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind.

We must first be strengthened in our minds and hearts before we can put on the whole armour of God. Oppositions and foes are too great for us to live the Christian life in our own power.