What Is Meant by a 'Sound Mind' in 2 Timothy 1:7?

　　"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

　　

What Is a Sound Mind?

When used as an adjective, sound has the meaning of "sensible, or something that you can rely on and that will probably give good results." Therefore, a "sound mind" is a proper faculty of reason and rationality for humans. Having a sound mind is synonymous with being sane, lucid, and logical.

　　Furthermore, a sound mind in the biblical sense pertains to the understanding of right and wrong. It is the ability to discern what is good for our soul and what is harmful (sin). Along with discerning moral behavior, a sound mind has the self-control (as translated in ESV) and self-discipline (NIV) to behave morally, not being a slave to passions of ego and pride. This is the freedom Christ bestows us, liberating our free will from sin.

　　"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

　　

Sound Mind: A Gift of God

Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

　　Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. (2 Timothy 1:6-11)

　　The gift of God is the grace of the Holy Spirit given to Timothy at his ordination, the "laying on of [Paul's] hands". This grace fills up what is lacking and gives authenticity to the priesthood. But it is not automatic, and we must "stir up" and rekindle it through continual repentance.

　　

Bible Commentary on 2 Timothy 1

God has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, of courage and resolution, to meet difficulties and dangers; the spirit of love to him, which will carry us through opposition. And the spirit of a sound mind, quietness of mind. The Holy Spirit is not the author of a timid or cowardly disposition, or of slavish fears. We are likely to bear afflictions well when we have strength and power from God to enable us to bear them.

　　As is usual with Paul, when he mentions Christ and his redemption, he enlarges upon them; so full was he of that which is all our salvation, and ought to be all our desire. The call of the gospel is a holy call, making holy. Salvation is of free grace. This is said to be given us before the world began, that is, in the purpose of God from all eternity; in Christ Jesus, for all the gifts that come from God to sinful man, come in and through Christ Jesus alone. And as there is so clear a prospect of eternal happiness by faith in Him, who is the Resurrection and the Life, let us give more diligence in making his salvation sure to our souls.

　　Those who cleave to the gospel, need not be ashamed, the cause will bear them out; but those who oppose it, shall be ashamed. The apostle had trusted his life, his soul, and eternal interests, to the Lord Jesus. No one else could deliver and secure his soul through the trials of life and death. There is a day coming when our souls will be inquired after. Thou hadst a soul committed to thee; how was it employed? in the service of sin, or in the service of Christ? The hope of the lowest real Christian rests on the same foundation as that of the great apostle. He also has learned the value and the danger of his soul; he also has believed in Christ, and the change wrought in his soul convinces the believer that the Lord Jesus will keep him to his heavenly kingdom.

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　　Paul exhorts Timothy to hold fast the Holy Scriptures, the substance of solid gospel truth in them. It is not enough to assent to the sound words, but we must love them. The Christian doctrine is a trust committed to us; it is of unspeakable value in itself and will be of unspeakable advantage to us. It is committed to us, to be preserved pure and entire, yet we must not think to keep it by our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us; and it will not be gained by those who trust in their own hearts, and lean to their own understandings. (Excerpt from Matthew Henry Commentary)

　　

Bible Verses about a Sound Mind

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

　　Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ~ Romans 12:2

　　There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. ~ 1 John 4:18

　　Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Peter 1:13

　　Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ~ Philippians 4:8

　　“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:16

　　You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. ~ Isaiah 26:3