The term "cowardly" refers to a lack of courage or resolution, often manifesting as fearfulness or timidity in the face of danger, difficulty, or opposition. In the biblical context, cowardice is generally viewed negatively, as it contrasts with the virtues of faith, courage, and trust in God.

Biblical References:

1. Revelation 21:8 · The Bible explicitly mentions cowardice in the context of those who will face judgment. "But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and the sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death." Here, cowardice is listed among other grave sins, indicating its serious nature in the eyes of God.

2. Deuteronomy 20:8 · In the laws concerning warfare, God instructs the Israelites to send home any man who is fearful and fainthearted. "Then the officers shall add, 'Is there any man who is afraid or fainthearted? Let him go back to his house, lest the heart of his brothers melt like his own.'" This passage suggests that cowardice can be contagious, affecting the morale and effectiveness of others.

3. Judges 7:3 · In the account of Gideon's army, God commands Gideon to reduce his troops by sending home those who are afraid. "Now, therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people: ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’ So twenty-two thousand of them turned back, but ten thousand remained." This demonstrates that God values quality and faith over quantity, preferring a smaller, courageous force.

4. Proverbs 28:1 · The contrast between the righteous and the wicked is highlighted in terms of courage. "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion." This proverb suggests that cowardice is associated with wickedness, while righteousness is linked to boldness and courage.

Theological Implications:

Cowardice is often seen as a failure to trust in God's power and promises. Throughout Scripture, believers are encouraged to be strong and courageous, relying on God's presence and strength. For instance, Joshua 1:9 exhorts, "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." This command underscores the expectation that faith in God should overcome fear.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

From a moral standpoint, cowardice can lead to inaction or compromise in the face of moral or spiritual challenges. It may prevent individuals from standing up for truth, justice, or righteousness. The Bible encourages believers to act with courage, even when facing persecution or adversity, as seen in the lives of the apostles and early Christians who boldly proclaimed the gospel despite threats.

Practical Application:

Believers are called to cultivate courage through faith, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. By focusing on God's promises and past faithfulness, Christians can overcome fear and act boldly in their personal lives and in their witness to the world. The example of biblical figures like David, Daniel, and Esther serves as an inspiration to confront challenges with confidence in God's deliverance and sovereignty.1. (a.) Wanting courage; basely or weakly timid or fearful; pusillanimous; spiritless.

2. (a.) Proceeding from fear of danger or other consequences; befitting a coward; dastardly; base; as, cowardly malignity.

3. (adv.) In the manner of a coward.

1169. deilos -- cowardly, fearful
... cowardly, fearful. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: deilos Phonetic Spelling:
(di-los') Short Definition: cowardly, timid Definition: cowardly, timid ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1169.htm - 7k

1168. deiliao -- to be cowardly
... to be cowardly. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: deiliao Phonetic Spelling:
(di-lee-ah'-o) Short Definition: I shrink, am fearful Definition: I shrink, am ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1168.htm - 6k

Wellington and the Soldier
... Sometimes it is more cowardly to do a dangerous thing like that than not to
do it. ... It is cowardly to run away if you ought to face them. ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/wellington and the soldier.htm

Strong Christians.
... Ephesians 6:10. "My brethren, be strong in the Lord,". A weak and cowardly soldier
is a pitiful object, but a weak-kneed, cowardly Christian is still more so. ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon lvi strong christians.htm

Bourdaloue -- the Passion of Christ
... A divine Savior betrayed and abandoned by cowardly disciples, persecuted by pontiffs
and hypocritical priests, ridiculed and mocked in the palace of Herod by ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/bourdaloue the passion of.htm

Impressive Phrases
... barbarous, brutal, inhuman, and cruel. base, cowardly, abject, and hideous. ... copious,
commanding, sonorous, and emotional. cowardly, timid, shrinking, and timorous ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

Objections from the Revelation and the First Epistle of St. John ...
... In short, this Apocalypse, in its later passages, has assigned "the infamous and
fornicators," as well as "the cowardly, and unbelieving, and murderers, and ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter xix objections from the revelation.htm

B. The Question as to Authority. Ch. 20:1-8
... So they tried to escape by cowardly replying that they did not know. Agnosticism
is usually cowardly and deserving of little respect. ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the question as to.htm

Fearlessness.
... We recall that he was so cowardly that he denied his Lord on the spot, swearing
that he did not know Him. Behold this same Peter on the day of Pentecost. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter vi fearlessness.htm

Peter's Denial and Repentance.
... emotion and affection. It was a cowardly lie, even more cowardly than common
lies, and yet he was exceptionally bold. Peter himself ...
/.../xviii peters denial and repentance.htm

Joseph Attacked by the Archers
... Though all weapons are alike approved by the warrior in his thirst for blood, there
seems something more cowardly in the attack of the archer than in that of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/joseph attacked by the archers.htm

Joseph and Nicodemus
... came now, when they must have known that it was too late, to lavish honour and tears
on the corpse of the Master whom they had been too cowardly to acknowledge ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/joseph and nicodemus.htm

Cowardly (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Proceeding from fear of danger or other consequences; befitting a coward;
dastardly; base; as, cowardly malignity. ...Cowardly (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/cowardly.htm - 7k

Jackal (3 Occurrences)
... They are cowardly, nocturnal, and gregarious. They feed largely on carrion, and
are noted for their piercing and dismal howling. ... It is cowardly and nocturnal. ...
/j/jackal.htm - 15k

Faint (76 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) Wanting in courage, spirit, or energy; timorous; cowardly;
dejected; depressed; as, Faint heart ne'er won fair lady. ...
/f/faint.htm - 38k

Hyena
... (n.) Any carnivorous mammal of the family Hyaenidae, of which three living
species are known. They are large and strong, but cowardly. ...
/h/hyena.htm - 9k

Liars (14 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers,
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the ...
/l/liars.htm - 10k

Immoral (16 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers,
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the ...
/i/immoral.htm - 11k

Idolaters (5 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers,
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the ...
/i/idolaters.htm - 8k

Flee (187 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vi) To run away, as from danger or evil; to avoid in
an alarmed or cowardly manner; to hasten off; -- usually with from. ...
/f/flee.htm - 38k

Fiery (47 Occurrences)
... Revelation 21:8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers,
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the ...
/f/fiery.htm - 21k

Fainthearted (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Wanting in courage; depressed by fear; easily
discouraged or frightened; cowardly; timorous; dejected. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/f/fainthearted.htm - 8k

What does the Bible say about cowardice or being a coward? | GotQuestions.org

What is the second death? | GotQuestions.org

What is hadephobia? | GotQuestions.org

Cowardly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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