Timidity, often understood as a lack of courage or confidence, is a concept addressed in the Bible, where it is generally viewed as a hindrance to faith and effective Christian living. The Scriptures encourage believers to overcome timidity through reliance on God's strength and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Timothy 1:7 · "For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." This verse is a direct exhortation to Timothy, a young leader in the early church, reminding him that timidity is not from God. Instead, believers are endowed with power, love, and self-discipline, which are essential for fulfilling God's purposes.

2. Proverbs 28:1 · "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion." This proverb contrasts the timidity of the wicked with the boldness of the righteous. It implies that a right standing with God instills a confidence that dispels fear and timidity.

3. 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." Although not using the word "timidity," this command to Joshua underscores the expectation of courage in the face of daunting tasks, supported by the assurance of God's presence.

4. 1 John 4:18 · "There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love." This passage suggests that timidity, often rooted in fear, is overcome by the perfect love of God, which casts out fear and emboldens believers.

Theological Insights:

Timidity is often linked to fear, which can paralyze believers and prevent them from acting in faith. The Bible consistently encourages believers to trust in God's promises and presence, which provide the foundation for overcoming fear and timidity. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this transformation, as seen in Acts 4:31, where the early Christians, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke the word of God boldly.

Practical Implications:

For Christians, overcoming timidity involves a conscious reliance on God's strength rather than one's own abilities. It requires a deep understanding of one's identity in Christ and the resources available through the Holy Spirit. Engaging in regular prayer, studying Scripture, and participating in the community of believers are practical steps to cultivate boldness and diminish timidity.

Historical Context:

In the early church, timidity could have been a significant barrier to spreading the Gospel, especially in the face of persecution. Leaders like Timothy were encouraged to be bold in their witness and leadership, setting an example for others. The exhortations against timidity served to strengthen the resolve of early Christians to stand firm in their faith.

Conclusion:

While the Bible acknowledges the human tendency toward timidity, it provides ample encouragement and resources for believers to overcome it. Through faith, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and the assurance of God's presence, Christians are called to live boldly and confidently in their walk with Christ.(n.) The quality or state of being timid; timorousness; timidness.1167. deilia -- cowardice
... cowardice. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: deilia Phonetic Spelling:
(di-lee'-ah) Short Definition: cowardice Definition: cowardice, timidity. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1167.htm - 6k

5289. hupostole -- a letting down, a shrinking back
... draw back. From hupostello; shrinkage (timidity), ie (by implication) apostasy --
draw back. see GREEK hupostello. (upostoles) -- 1 Occurrence. 5288, 5289. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5289.htm - 6k

Moral Timidity
... IX MORAL TIMIDITY. John xxi.22. The trouble ... thee? Follow thou me.". There
is a great deal of this moral timidity in college life. Any ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/ix moral timidity.htm

Of Fear* (Four Articles) [*St. Thomas Calls this vice ...
... Thomas calls this vice indifferently 'fear' or 'timidity.' The translation requires
one to adhere to these terms on account of the connection with the passion ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of fear four articles st.htm

Whether the Sin of Fear is Contrary to Fortitude?
... Thomas calls this vice indifferently 'fear' or 'timidity.' The translation requires
one to adhere to these terms on account of the connection with the passion ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the sin of fear.htm

Whether Daring is Opposed to Fortitude?
... Objection 3: Further, fortitude is concerned about fear and daring, as stated above
([3333]Q[123], A[3]). Now since timidity is opposed to fortitude in respect ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether daring is opposed to.htm

Sixth Tractate. The Impassivity of the Unembodied.
... the reasoning faculty? So, the initiative faculty; is it not, itself, altered
as one varies between timidity and boldness? And the ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/sixth tractate the impassivity of.htm

He Has Endeavoured, Indeed, to Brand us with the Stain of this ...
... bear witness to myself, nor will I say that there are cases of necessity in which
it is right to swear: for I wish to avoid reproach through timidity if not ...
/.../3 he has endeavoured indeed.htm

But as for those who have Suffered None of These Things...
... Those who from fear only and timidity deserted the faith, and then had an eye towards
repentance, the canon punishes with three years' exclusion, according to ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon iii but as for.htm

Paul and his Requests for Prayer (Continued)
... men. Unawed by the frowns of men, they were to declare the truth of God
without apology, timidity, hesitancy or compromise. The ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/xvi paul and his requests.htm

The Proof that this God is the True God.
... This God is the True God. 27. But that must have been a vain necessity
and a ridiculous timidity. [570] We ask now what opinion ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xix the proof that this.htm

Thus the Future of which we Spoke at the Beginning Has in England ...
... Mr. Bernard Shaw has remarked that rich men are better than poor men on parish councils
because they are free from "financial timidity." Now, the English ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 11 thus the future.htm

Timidity (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The quality or state of being timid; timorousness;
timidness. Multi-Version Concordance Timidity (2 Occurrences). ...
/t/timidity.htm - 7k

Nicodemus (5 Occurrences)
... To this faint-hearted faith corresponded his timidity of action, which displayed
itself in his coming "by night," lest he should offend his colleagues in the ...
/n/nicodemus.htm - 14k

Timid (8 Occurrences)

/t/timid.htm - 8k

Timna (6 Occurrences)

/t/timna.htm - 9k

Nervous (1 Occurrence)
... strong and tender affection is all the more drawn out towards you when he recalls
to mind the obedience which all of you manifested by the timidity and nervous ...
/n/nervous.htm - 7k

Welcomed (30 Occurrences)
... strong and tender affection is all the more drawn out towards you when he recalls
to mind the obedience which all of you manifested by the timidity and nervous ...
/w/welcomed.htm - 15k

Free (454 Occurrences)
... guiltless; innocent. 7. (superl.) Unconstrained by timidity or distrust; unreserved;
ingenuous; frank; familiar; communicative. 8. (superl ...
/f/free.htm - 38k

Fear (970 Occurrences)
... 12:20, etc.); of the fear of God, the noun (Romans 3:18 2 Corinthians 7:1), the
verb (Luke 18:4; Luke 23:40, etc.); deilia, "timidity," "fear," occurs in 2 ...
/f/fear.htm - 50k

Recalls (2 Occurrences)
... strong and tender affection is all the more drawn out towards you when he recalls
to mind the obedience which all of you manifested by the timidity and nervous ...
/r/recalls.htm - 7k

Drawn (131 Occurrences)
... strong and tender affection is all the more drawn out towards you when he recalls
to mind the obedience which all of you manifested by the timidity and nervous ...
/d/drawn.htm - 37k

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