from (dread); timid, i.e. (by implication) faithless:--fearful.
Transliteration:deilós
Pronunciation:di-los'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective `{{G1169}}` (δειλός, *deilós*) derives from a root signifying "dread" or "cowardice." It describes a person characterized by a cowardly or timid disposition. Unlike a general sense of fear (`{{G5399}}` φόβος, *phobos*), which can be a natural human emotion or even a positive reverence for God, `{{G1169}}` carries a distinctly negative connotation. It denotes a fear that is debilitating, a lack of courage that prevents action or trust. Its semantic range extends beyond mere timidity to imply a spiritual failing, specifically a lack of faith that manifests as cowardice in the face of adversity or spiritual challenge.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{G1169}}` appears three times in the New Testament, each instance illuminating its profound theological implications:
1. **[[Matthew 8:26]]**: In the account of Jesus calming the storm, He rebukes His disciples, asking, "Why are you `{{G1169}}` (fearful), O you of little faith?" Here, `{{G1169}}` is directly linked to *oligopistia* (ὀλιγοπιστία), "little faith." The disciples' fear in the face of natural peril is not merely a human reaction but is presented as a consequence of their insufficient trust in Jesus' power and presence. Their cowardice stems from a failure to fully rely on Him.
2. **[[Mark 4:40]]**: The parallel account in Mark's Gospel echoes this connection. Jesus asks, "Why are you `{{G1169}}` (fearful)? Do you still have no faith?" Again, the fear is not simply an emotion but an indicator of a deeper spiritual deficiency—a lack of faith that ought to have enabled them to trust in God's control over creation, even amidst a tempest.
3. **[[Revelation 21:8]]**: This occurrence presents the most severe and sobering use of `{{G1169}}`. In the list of those whose "portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death," the "cowardly" (οἱ δειλοί) are listed first, alongside the faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars. The placement of `{{G1169}}` at the beginning of this catalog of the damned is highly significant. It suggests that this "cowardice" is not a mere personality trait but a profound spiritual failure, a refusal to stand for Christ, or a denial of faith under persecution, which constitutes a fundamental betrayal of allegiance to God. This is a fear that leads to apostasy or a failure to confess Christ, rather than a transient emotion.
### Related Words & Concepts
`{{G1169}}` stands in contrast to several positive biblical concepts and is distinct from other forms of fear.
* **Antonyms/Contrasts:** It is antithetical to courage, boldness, and unwavering faith. Words like `{{G3954}}` (παρρησία, *parrēsia*), meaning "boldness" or "confidence," especially in speech before God or others, represent the opposite of `{{G1169}}`. Similarly, `{{G2292}}` (θαρσέω, *tharseō*), "to be of good courage," highlights the spiritual fortitude lacking in the `{{G1169}}` individual.
* **Related to `{{G5399}}` (φόβος, *phobos*)**: While `{{G5399}}` can denote general fear or dread, `{{G1169}}` specifies a particular *kind* of fear: a cowardly, unfaithful one. `{{G1169}}` is a subset of `{{G5399}}` that carries a negative moral judgment.
* **Theological Concepts:** The concept of `{{G1169}}` is deeply intertwined with themes of faith, trust, perseverance, spiritual warfare, and ultimate judgment. It highlights the necessity of steadfastness in discipleship and the grave consequences of spiritual compromise driven by fear.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{G1169}}` is profound, particularly in its linkage to faith and eternal destiny.
1. **A Deficiency of Faith:** In the Gospels, `{{G1169}}` is explicitly connected to a lack of faith. It reveals that true faith is not merely intellectual assent but a dynamic trust in God's power and presence that overcomes debilitating fear. Cowardice, in this context, is a spiritual failure to rely on God in the face of perceived danger or difficulty.
2. **Hindrance to Discipleship:** A `{{G1169}}` spirit obstructs authentic discipleship. It prevents believers from boldly proclaiming the Gospel, enduring persecution, or fully obeying God's commands when they involve personal risk or discomfort. It is a spirit that prioritizes self-preservation over divine commission.
3. **Condemnation in the Eschaton:** The most chilling theological implication is found in [[Revelation 21:8]], where the "cowardly" are among those condemned to the lake of fire. This is not a judgment on those who *feel* fear, but on those who *succumb* to fear in a way that leads to apostasy, denial of Christ, or a refusal to bear witness to the truth. It implies a fundamental failure of allegiance to God, a spiritual cowardice that prioritizes self-safety over faithfulness to Christ, even unto death. This type of fear is seen as a root sin that leads to other forms of unfaithfulness and rebellion against God.
4. **Contrast with Divine Empowerment:** The New Testament often contrasts such fear with the power of the Holy Spirit. While `{{G1169}}` is not directly used, scriptures like [[2 Timothy 1:7]] ("For God has not given us a spirit of `{{G5399}}` [fear], but of power and love and self-control") underscore that a spirit of timidity is contrary to the Spirit of God, who empowers believers with courage and boldness.
### Summary
The Greek word `{{G1169}}` (δειλός, *deilós*) denotes a cowardly, timid fear that is distinct from natural human apprehension or reverential awe. In the Gospels, it is directly linked to a deficiency of faith, highlighting that a lack of trust in God's power and presence manifests as spiritual timidity. Most critically, in [[Revelation 21:8]], the "cowardly" are listed first among those who face eternal condemnation, signifying that this form of fear is a grave spiritual failing, potentially leading to apostasy or a refusal to confess Christ under pressure. Thus, `{{G1169}}` represents not merely a personality trait, but a profound spiritual state of unfaithfulness that stands in stark opposition to the courage, boldness, and unwavering trust in God expected of His true disciples.
TRV