The term "fainthearted" refers to those who are timid, lacking in courage, or easily discouraged. In the context of the Bible, it often describes individuals who are hesitant or fearful in the face of challenges, whether spiritual, emotional, or physical. The concept of being fainthearted is addressed in both the Old and New Testaments, where believers are encouraged to find strength and courage in their faith and in God's promises.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "fainthearted" is "rak levav," which literally means "soft of heart." This term is used in Deuteronomy 20:8, where Moses instructs the officers of Israel to send home any man who is fainthearted before going into battle: "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 concern is that the fear of one could spread to others, weakening the resolve of the entire group.

The concept is also seen in Isaiah 35:4, where the prophet encourages those who are fainthearted: "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 highlights the assurance that God will intervene on behalf of His people, providing them with the strength they need.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the Greek word "oligopsuchos" is used, which means "small-souled" or "fainthearted." This term appears in 1 Thessalonians 5:14, where Paul exhorts the church: "And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone." . Here, the fainthearted are those who need encouragement and support from their fellow believers to persevere in their faith.

The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of courage and steadfastness in the face of trials. In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul reminds Timothy, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline." . This verse underscores the belief that God equips His followers with the necessary strength to overcome fear and timidity.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, being fainthearted is seen as a natural human response to uncertainty and danger, but one that can be overcome through faith in God. The Bible consistently encourages believers to trust in God's power and presence, which can transform fear into courage. The fainthearted are not condemned but are instead called to rely on the community of faith and the promises of God for support and encouragement.

The biblical narrative presents numerous examples of individuals who overcame their faintheartedness through faith. Gideon, for instance, initially doubted his ability to lead Israel against the Midianites, but through God's reassurance, he became a mighty warrior (Judges 6-7). Similarly, the disciples of Jesus, who often displayed fear and doubt, were transformed into bold proclaimers of the Gospel after the resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

In summary, the Bible acknowledges the reality of being fainthearted but offers a pathway to courage through faith, community, and reliance on God's promises. Believers are encouraged to support one another, drawing strength from their shared faith and the assurance of God's presence and power.(a.) Wanting in courage; depressed by fear; easily discouraged or frightened; cowardly; timorous; dejected.3642. oligopsuchos -- fainthearted
... fainthearted. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: oligopsuchos Phonetic Spelling:
(ol-ig-op'-soo-khos) Short Definition: faint-hearted Definition: faint ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3642.htm - 7k

1169. deilos -- cowardly, fearful
... 1169 ("fearful of losses") refers to an excessive fear (dread) of "losing," causing
someone to be fainthearted (cowardly) -- hence, to fall short in following ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1169.htm - 7k

7401. rakak -- to be tender, weak or soft
... 7400, 7401. rakak. 7402 . to be tender, weak or soft. Transliteration: rakak
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-kak') Short Definition: fainthearted. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/7401.htm - 6k

7390. rak -- tender, delicate, soft
... tender one (1), timid* (1), weak (2). fainthearted, soft, tender hearted,
one, weak. From rakak; tender (literally or figuratively ...
/hebrew/7390.htm - 6k

4127. mug -- to melt
... melted away (4), melts (1), soften (1). consume, dissolve, be fainthearted,
melt away, make soft. A primitive root; to melt, ie Literally ...
/hebrew/4127.htm - 6k

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 ...
/hebrew/3824.htm - 6k

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. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether pusillanimity is a sin.htm

Whether Pusillanimity is Opposed to Magnanimity?
... For the Philosopher says (Ethic., 3) that "the fainthearted man knows not himself:
for he would desire the good things, of which he is worthy, if he knew ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether pusillanimity is opposed to.htm

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 the fainthearted, lest by ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec v on accusations and the.htm

Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on ...
... things being in hope and after death, their evils in hand, though they had patiently
endured much, it was likely that many would be fainthearted;"hereon he ...
/.../homilies of st john chrysostom.htm

Discouragement
... One would think that in the face of such assertions as these not even the most
fainthearted among us could find any loophole for discouragement. ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 13 discouragement.htm

Of the Indifference which we are to have as to Our Advancement in ...
... We must be sorry for faults with a repentance which is strong, settled, constant,
tranquil, but not troubled, unquiet or fainthearted. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vii of the indifference.htm

What Diversity There Ought to be in the Art of Preaching.
... Servants and masters. The wise of this world and the dull. The impudent and the
bashful. The forward and the fainthearted. The impatient and the patient. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter i what diversity there.htm

September 4 Morning
... Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted."Be still, and know that
I am God."Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/september 4 morning.htm

Whether Fear is a Mortal Sin?
... fear does not make one lapse from a precept, but only from perfection; for a gloss
on Dt.20:8, "What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted?" says: "We ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether fear is a mortal.htm

Whether Fortitude is a Gift?
... i) that "fortitude encourages the fainthearted against hardships, which will be
altogether absent from heaven." Therefore fortitude is not a gift. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether fortitude is a gift.htm

Fainthearted (7 Occurrences)
... cowardly; timorous; dejected. Multi-Version Concordance Fainthearted (7
Occurrences). 1 Thessalonians 5:14 We exhort you, brothers ...
/f/fainthearted.htm - 8k

Fainteth (11 Occurrences)

/f/fainteth.htm - 9k

Faint-hearted (7 Occurrences)
Faint-hearted. Fainthearted, Faint-hearted. Fainting . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS). Fainthearted, Faint-hearted. Fainting . Reference Bible.
/f/faint-hearted.htm - 8k

Urge (34 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 5:14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage
the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all. (See NAS NIV). ...
/u/urge.htm - 15k

Idlers (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 5:14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage
the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all. (See RSV). ...
/i/idlers.htm - 6k

Idle (33 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Thessalonians 5:14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly,
encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all. ...
/i/idle.htm - 18k

Feeble-minded (2 Occurrences)
... fe'-b'-l-min'-ded (oligopsuchos): Only in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 the King James Version,
in the sense of "fainthearted," as in the Revised Version (British and ...
/f/feeble-minded.htm - 8k

Feebleminded (1 Occurrence)
... fe'-b'-l-min'-ded (oligopsuchos): Only in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 the King James Version,
in the sense of "fainthearted," as in the Revised Version (British and ...
/f/feebleminded.htm - 7k

Firebrands (4 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 7:4 And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted
for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of ...
/f/firebrands.htm - 7k

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