Understanding δειλός (deilos) Strong’s G1169: When Faith Confronts Fear in the Storms of Life

Pronunciation Guide: day-los’ (emphasis on second syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1169: The Greek word δειλός (deilos) describes someone who is fearful, timid, or cowardly. It refers to a state of excessive fear or anxiety that leads to hesitation or retreat in the face of danger or difficulty. In biblical contexts, δειλός often contrasts with faith, pointing to fear that prevents one from trusting God completely during life’s challenges.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Adjective
• Root: From δειλιάω (deiliao), meaning “to be afraid”
• Language origin: Classical Greek
• Primary usage: Found in narrative sections, particularly in contexts addressing discipleship challenges
• Associated with situations of testing or trial
• Often appears in contexts contrasting faith with fear

δειλός Morphology:

• δειλός (masculine nominative singular) – fearful, cowardly (person)
• δειλή (feminine nominative singular) – fearful, cowardly (woman)
• δειλόν (neuter nominative singular) – fearful, cowardly (thing)
• δειλοί (masculine nominative plural) – fearful, cowardly (people)
• δειλῶν (genitive plural) – of the fearful/cowardly

Origin & History

The term δειλός has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it was used to describe those who lacked courage in battle or those who retreated from duty. In Homer’s “Iliad,” the concept of δειλός was the antithesis of the heroic ideal, describing warriors who failed to display bravery in combat. Thucydides employed the term in his “History of the Peloponnesian War” to describe soldiers who shrank from their military responsibilities out of excessive fear.

In the Septuagint (LXX), δειλός appears in contexts describing those who lack courage in the face of challenges, particularly in Deuteronomy 20:8, where it refers to soldiers who are “fearful and fainthearted” and are permitted to return home rather than fight. This usage established an important theological framework that would later be developed in the New Testament, connecting fear with a lack of trust in God’s promises and protection.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Fearful or timid in a way that prevents appropriate action
• Cowardly, lacking courage when courage is needed
• Fainthearted, easily intimidated by threats or challenges
• Lacking trust or faith, particularly in divine provision or protection
• Hesitant or reluctant due to excessive worry or anxiety

δειλός Translation Options:

• “Cowardly” – Emphasizes the moral failure aspect, suitable in contexts where courage is expected
• “Fearful” – More neutral term focusing on the emotional state rather than moral judgment
• “Fainthearted” – Captures both the emotional and volitional aspects of failing to persevere
• “Timid” – Best for contexts where hesitation rather than complete retreat is in view
• “Faithless” – Appropriate in theological contexts where the fear stands in opposition to faith

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, δειλός appears only three times, but each occurrence is theologically significant. Its first appearance is in Matthew 8:26, where Yeshua challenges His disciples during a furious storm on the Sea of Galilee with the question, “Why are you afraid [δειλοί], O you of little faith?” This establishes the New Testament theme that δειλός represents not merely natural fear but a spiritual failure to trust God’s presence and power in the midst of threatening circumstances.

The word appears again in Mark 4:40 in the parallel account of the storm, where Yeshua asks, “Why are you so afraid [δειλοί]? Have you still no faith?” The final occurrence is in Revelation 21:8, where “the cowardly [δειλοῖς]” are listed first among those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God but will face judgment. This severe warning indicates that persistent, unrepentant fearfulness that prevents one from following the Messiah represents a fundamental rejection of faith.

• “And He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid [δειλοί], O you of little faith?'” Matthew 8:26
• “He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid [δειλοί]? Have you still no faith?'” Mark 4:40
• “But as for the cowardly [δειλοῖς], the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

Cultural Insights

In the first-century Mediterranean world, courage was considered one of the highest virtues, particularly for men. Roman and Greek cultures celebrated bravery in battle, and Jewish culture similarly prized courage in defense of the faith and the Torah. Against this cultural backdrop, to be labeled δειλός carried significant shame and social disapproval. When Yeshua challenged His disciples’ fear during the storm, He was not merely addressing their emotional state but questioning their commitment to their role as His followers.

The Sea of Galilee, where the famous storm account takes place, was known for its sudden and violent storms. Jewish fishermen like several of Yeshua’s disciples would have been familiar with these dangers, yet they still panicked. Their reaction reveals how overwhelming the storm must have been—professional fishermen feared for their lives. This context makes Yeshua’s calm all the more remarkable and His rebuke more pointed. The cultural expectation would have been for men, especially fishermen experienced with the sea, to display composure and resourcefulness in the face of danger. Their failure to do so, and their awakening of their sleeping Rabbi in panic, would have been particularly embarrassing in their honor-shame culture.

Theological Significance

The concept of δειλός in Scripture reveals a profound theological truth: fear and faith stand in direct opposition to each other. When Yeshua rebuked His disciples for being δειλοί during the storm, He was not condemning natural human fear in the face of danger, but rather highlighting how fear can undermine and reveal the limits of our faith. The question “Why are you afraid?” is immediately followed by “Have you still no faith?” This connection demonstrates that courage in the biblical sense is not the absence of fear but the presence of faith that overcomes fear.

The inclusion of the “cowardly” (δειλοῖς) at the beginning of the list in Revelation 21:8 is particularly striking. This placement suggests that cowardice—the fear that prevents one from following Yeshua and standing firm in one’s faith—may be the root sin that leads to the others listed. Cowardice in this theological sense represents a fundamental rejection of trust in יהוה (Yahweh) and His Messiah. It is not merely an emotional response but a spiritual posture that chooses self-preservation over faithfulness, safety over obedience, and the approval of men over loyalty to God. This understanding illuminates why such fear is treated with such severity in Scripture—it fundamentally contradicts the trust that is at the heart of covenant relationship with God.

Personal Application

When we encounter the word δειλός in Scripture, we are invited to examine our own hearts: Where does fear prevent us from fully trusting and following the Messiah? The disciples in the boat faced a literal storm, but we face figurative storms—health crises, financial uncertainties, relationship challenges, or persecution for our faith. In these moments, Yeshua’s gentle yet pointed question echoes across the centuries: “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?”

This doesn’t mean believers should never experience feelings of fear. Rather, it challenges us to recognize when fear begins to control our decisions and undermine our trust in God’s presence and power. The antidote to being δειλός is not mustering up human courage but deepening our relationship with the One who commands even the winds and waves. When we truly grasp who Yeshua is—the Lord over creation who is in our “boat”—our perspective on life’s storms fundamentally changes. Instead of being defined by our fears, we can be defined by our faith in the One who never leaves or forsakes us, even in the most threatening circumstances.

Related Words

• φοβέομαι (phobeomai) – “to fear, be afraid, be struck with fear, be seized with alarm” – This word describes the emotion or sensation of fear itself, rather than the character quality of fearfulness. It can have both positive meanings (reverential awe of God) and negative meanings (terror). See G5399
• ἀνανδρία (anandria) – “unmanliness, cowardice” – A classical Greek term that more specifically denotes the absence of courage expected in a man, focusing on the failure to meet gender expectations of bravery. Though not used in the New Testament, it helps illuminate the cultural understanding of cowardice. See G0000
• ὀλιγόπιστος (oligopistos) – “of little faith” – Often paired with δειλός in the Gospels, this term specifically addresses the insufficient trust in God that leads to fearfulness. It appears in contexts where faith should overcome fear but falls short. See G3640
• ἀποδειλιάω (apodeiliao) – “to be very fearful, to shrink back through fear” – An intensified form related to δειλός that emphasizes the action of retreating or withdrawing due to excessive fear. See G0000
• θάρσος (tharsos) – “courage, confidence, boldness” – The antithesis of δειλός, representing the positive quality of confidence and boldness that faith produces. This word and its related forms often appear in divine encouragement: “Take heart!” or “Be of good courage!” See G2294

Did You Know?

• In ancient Greek military culture, a soldier who displayed δειλός by abandoning his position in battle could be subjected to ἀτιμία (atimia), a form of civil disenfranchisement that stripped him of his rights as a citizen. This severe consequence illustrates how seriously cowardice was viewed in the ancient world and adds depth to the spiritual warnings about being δειλός in Scripture.
• The famous storm on the Sea of Galilee described in the Gospels where Yeshua rebukes the disciples for being δειλοί likely occurred near the northern shore where the topography creates a wind tunnel effect. When cool air from the Mediterranean collides with the hot air in the low-lying Galilee basin (700 feet below sea level), it can create sudden, violent storms that appear almost without warning. First-century wooden fishing boats would have been particularly vulnerable to such conditions, making the disciples’ fear understandable from a human perspective, though still revealing their lack of faith in who was with them in the boat.
• The stark warning in Revelation 21:8 that lists the δειλοῖς (cowardly) first among those condemned has been particularly meaningful to believers facing persecution throughout church history. During times when renouncing faith might save one’s life, this verse reinforced the spiritual danger of choosing physical safety over faithful witness. Many martyrs drew courage from the understanding that momentary cowardice could have eternal consequences far worse than earthly suffering.

Remember This

δειλός reveals the battleground where our greatest fears meet our deepest faith, challenging us to trust not in the absence of storms but in the presence of the Storm-Calmer.