Topical Encyclopedia
The term "faint-hearted" refers to a lack of courage or resolution, often manifesting as fear, timidity, or a tendency to lose heart in the face of challenges. In the biblical context, being faint-hearted is generally viewed as a spiritual weakness that can hinder one's faith and obedience to God.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, the concept of faint-heartedness is addressed in several passages, often in the context of warfare or spiritual challenges.
Deuteronomy 20:8 provides a direct reference: "Then the officers shall add, 'Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home, so that the hearts of his brothers will not melt like his own.'" Here, the faint-hearted are excused from battle to prevent their fear from spreading to others, highlighting the contagious nature of fear and the importance of courage in fulfilling God's commands.
Isaiah 35:4 offers encouragement to those who are faint-hearted: "Say to those with anxious hearts: 'Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.'" This passage reassures the faint-hearted of God's imminent intervention and deliverance, urging them to replace fear with faith.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, faint-heartedness is addressed in the context of spiritual perseverance and encouragement within the Christian community. In
1 Thessalonians 5:14, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers: "And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone." Here, the faint-hearted are to be encouraged, indicating the role of the community in supporting those who struggle with fear or doubt.
The parable of the persistent widow in
Luke 18:1-8 also speaks to the issue of losing heart. Jesus tells this parable "to show them that they should always pray and not lose heart" (
Luke 18:1). The message is clear: persistent faith and prayer are antidotes to faint-heartedness.
Spiritual ImplicationsFrom a spiritual perspective, faint-heartedness can be seen as a lack of trust in God's promises and power. It is often contrasted with the biblical call to be strong and courageous, as seen in
Joshua 1:9: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
The Bible encourages believers to overcome faint-heartedness through faith, prayer, and reliance on God's strength.
Philippians 4:13 reminds Christians, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength," emphasizing that reliance on Christ is key to overcoming fear and timidity.
Practical ApplicationIn practical terms, overcoming faint-heartedness involves cultivating a deeper trust in God and His Word. Regular prayer, meditation on Scripture, and fellowship with other believers can strengthen one's resolve and courage. Encouraging one another, as instructed in
Hebrews 10:24-25, is vital: "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Ultimately, the Bible presents faint-heartedness as a challenge to be met with faith, community support, and a steadfast focus on God's promises.
Greek
3642. oligopsuchos --fainthearted... and psuche Definition
fainthearted NASB Word Usage
fainthearted (1). feebleminded.
From oligos and pshar; little-spirited, ie
Faint-
hearted -- feebleminded.
...1169. deilos -- cowardly, fearful
... 1169 ("fearful of losses") refers to an excessive fear (dread) of "losing," causing
someone to befainthearted (cowardly) -- hence, to fall short in following...
Strong's Hebrew
7401. rakak -- to be tender, weak or soft... be
fainthearted, mollify, be, make softer, be tender. A primitive root; to soften
(intransitively or transitively), used figuratively -- (be)
faint((-
hearted)),
...7390. rak -- tender, delicate, soft
...fainthearted, soft, tender hearted, one, weak. From rakak; tender (literally or
figuratively); by implication, weak --faint((-hearted), soft, tender ((-hearted...
4127. mug -- to melt
... consume, dissolve, befainthearted, melt away, make soft.... disappear), or figuratively
(to fear, faint) -- consume, dissolve, (be)faint(-hearted), melt (away...
3824. lebab -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... will, heart NASB Word Usage anger (1), breasts (1), conscientious* (1), consider*
(5), courage (1), desire (1), encouragingly* (1),fainthearted* (3), heart...
Library
How the Forward and theFaint-Hearted are to be Admonished.
... How the forward and thefaint-hearted are to be admonished. (Admonition 9.)
Differently to be admonished are the forward and thefaint-hearted....
Whether Pusillanimity is a Sin?
... For every sin makes a man evil, just as every virtue makes a man good. But a
fainthearted man is not evil, as the Philosopher says (Ethic....
Whether Pusillanimity is Opposed to Magnanimity?
... For the Philosopher says (Ethic., 3) that "thefainthearted man knows not himself:
for he would desire the good things, of which he is worthy, if he knew...
Hebrews iv. 13-Nov
... of the power of God; they ought to have believed, but yielding too much to fear
and imagining nothing great concerning God, and beingfaint-hearted,"so they...
To the End God May Rest in the Soul to the End God May Rest in the...
... When thou are morefaint-hearted, betake thy self to this refuge of Prayer, the
only Armor for overcoming the enemy, and mitigating tribulation: thou ought not...
To Prevent any one from Being Checked in the Exercise of Mercy...
... on them." [77]. 42. Afaint-hearted man, seeing this, is disturbed in mind,
and turns his attention away from it. Holy Job, when...
Whether God Should be Praised with Song?
... Hence the use of music in the divine praises is a salutary institution, that the
souls of thefaint-hearted may be the more incited to devotion....
Whether the Judicial Precepts Regarding Foreigners were Framed in...
... But it is a man's fault if he be timid orfaint-hearted: since this is
contrary to the virtue of fortitude. Therefore the timid...
On Accusations, and the Treatment of Accusers.
... them: "Be strengthened, ye weak hands and feeble knees." [2770] For we ought to
comfort those that mourn, and afford encouragement to thefainthearted, lest by...
1 Thessalonians v. 12, 13
... Ver.14. "And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the
faint-hearted, support the weak, be... "Encourage thefainthearted, support the weak...
Thesaurus
Fainthearted (7 Occurrences)... cowardly; timorous; dejected. Multi-Version Concordance
Fainthearted (7
Occurrences). 1 Thessalonians 5:14 We exhort you, brothers
...Faint-hearted (7 Occurrences)
Faint-hearted.Fainthearted,Faint-hearted. Fainting . Multi-Version Concordance...
(WBS).Fainthearted,Faint-hearted. Fainting . Reference Bible.
Fainteth (11 Occurrences)
Fainting (9 Occurrences)
Faint (76 Occurrences)
... to some authorities egkakeo, pronounced enkakeo, meaning "to befaint-hearted" or
"to... and they shall say, "What man is there who is fearful andfainthearted?...
Nicodemus (5 Occurrences)
... To thisfaint-hearted faith corresponded his timidity of action, which displayed
itself in his coming "by night," lest he should offend his colleagues in the...
Urge (34 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 5:14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage
thefainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all. (See NAS NIV)....
Idlers (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 5:14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage
thefainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all. (See RSV)....
Idle (33 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Thessalonians 5:14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly,
encourage thefainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all....
Resources
How can I restore my soul? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to mount up with wings like eagles? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is fervent prayer (James 5:16)? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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