Understanding δίψυχος (dipsychos) Strong’s G1374: The Double-Minded Heart That Hinders Faith and Spiritual Stability

Pronunciation Guide: dip’-soo-khos (with emphasis on the first syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1374: δίψυχος (dipsychos) describes a person with a divided heart or mind—literally “two-souled.” It refers to someone wavering between two opinions or loyalties, unable to fully commit to God’s ways. This spiritual vacillation leads to instability in faith, prayer, and conduct, making one vulnerable to doubt and preventing the reception of God’s wisdom and blessings.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Adjective
• Compound word formed from δίς (dis, “twice” or “double”) and ψυχή (psychē, “soul” or “mind”)
• Appears exclusively in James’s epistle in the New Testament
• Used in contexts of warning and exhortation
• Later incorporated into early Christian literature as a key spiritual concept

δίψυχος Morphology:

• δίψυχος (nominative masculine singular) – double-minded man
• διψύχου (genitive masculine singular) – of a double-minded man
• διψύχῳ (dative masculine singular) – to/with a double-minded man
• δίψυχον (accusative masculine singular) – a double-minded man
• δίψυχοι (nominative masculine plural) – double-minded men

Origin & History

The term δίψυχος appears to be a uniquely Jewish-Christian creation, as it is not found in classical Greek literature prior to the New Testament era. James may have coined this compound word to capture a concept already present in Hebrew wisdom literature, particularly in passages addressing divided loyalty to God. While the exact word isn’t found in the Septuagint, the concept certainly was, especially in psalms that contrast the righteous (whose hearts are undivided toward God) with the wicked (whose hearts are divided).

The word gained significant traction in post-apostolic Christian writings. The Shepherd of Hermas (early 2nd century CE) extensively uses δίψυχος to describe those whose faith wavers during persecution or temptation. Clement of Rome also employs the term in his First Epistle to the Corinthians (circa 96 CE), warning believers against the instability of double-mindedness. This suggests the concept quickly became an established part of early Christian ethical vocabulary.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A person divided in loyalties between God and the world
• One whose mind vacillates between faith and doubt
• A hesitant, unstable person regarding spiritual matters
• Someone with inconsistent thoughts and actions
• An individual wavering in commitment and conviction

δίψυχος Translation Options:

• “Double-minded” – The most literal translation capturing the compound nature of δίς and ψυχή, emphasizing the internal division of the soul
• “Wavering” – Highlights the unstable, back-and-forth nature of the condition
• “Divided in loyalty” – Focuses on the split allegiance aspect
• “Indecisive” – Emphasizes the practical effect of having a divided heart
• “Two-souled” – A very literal but less common translation that preserves the compound structure

Biblical Usage

James introduces δίψυχος in his epistle to characterize believers whose commitment to God is compromised by worldly desires or doubts. The term first appears in James 1:8, where James describes the prayer life of an unstable person. The double-minded individual prays without faith, like someone tossed about by the sea (v.6), unable to receive anything from the Lord. Later, in James 4:8, James exhorts such persons to “purify your hearts, you double-minded,” positioning double-mindedness as a spiritual condition requiring cleansing and repentance.

Though the specific term δίψυχος doesn’t appear elsewhere in Scripture, the concept permeates both Testaments. Yeshua (Jesus) echoes this idea when He teaches that no one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). The prophet Elijah confronted Israel’s divided loyalty with his challenge: “How long will you waver between two opinions?” (1 Kings 18:21). In each instance, the biblical writers condemn the spiritual instability that comes from trying to maintain allegiance to both God and competing values.

• “A double-minded [δίψυχος] man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8
• “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded [δίψυχοι].” James 4:8

Cultural Insights

In the first-century Mediterranean world, loyalty and single-minded devotion were paramount virtues, especially in relation to patrons and benefactors. The Roman concept of fides (faith/faithfulness) and the Hebrew concept of emunah (steadfastness/faithfulness) both emphasized unwavering commitment. To be δίψυχος would have been seen as not merely a personal spiritual failure but a social disgrace—like a client who vacillates between rival patrons or a servant with divided loyalties between masters.

The Hebrew mind particularly understood the heart (lev) as the center of decision-making, not merely emotions. The ancient Jewish practice of reciting the Shema—”Hear, O Israel: יהוה our God, יהוה is one. You shall love יהוה your God with all your heart…” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)—daily reinforced the necessity of undivided loyalty to God. When James addressed his predominantly Jewish-Christian audience about being δίψυχος, he was tapping into this foundational understanding that to divide one’s heart between God and other loyalties was to fundamentally violate the greatest commandment.

Theological Significance

Double-mindedness reveals much about both human nature and God’s character. On the human side, it exposes our tendency to hedge our spiritual bets—wanting God’s blessings while still clinging to worldly security and values. James presents δίψυχος as a fundamental obstacle to receiving God’s wisdom and blessings, suggesting that our divided loyalty effectively blocks divine grace from fully operating in our lives.

From the divine perspective, the call to eliminate double-mindedness illuminates God’s nature as one deserving complete devotion. יהוה declares, “I am the Lord; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another” (Isaiah 42:8). God’s jealousy for our undivided hearts stems not from insecurity but from His perfect love and knowledge that any competing loyalty will ultimately harm us. The command against double-mindedness isn’t arbitrary but protective—God knows that a divided heart leads to instability, doubt, and spiritual ruin. His desire for our single-minded devotion reflects His perfect understanding of what we truly need for flourishing.

Personal Application

Examining our own δίψυχος tendencies requires honest self-reflection. Where do we hedge our spiritual commitments? When do we pray while harboring doubts about God’s willingness or ability to answer? In what areas do we seek both God’s kingdom and worldly security as backup? These questions help us identify the double-mindedness that may be blocking God’s full blessing in our lives.

The antidote to double-mindedness is what Hebrew thinking calls kawvanah—single-hearted intention and focus. We develop this through regular meditation on God’s faithfulness, intentional choices to trust Him in increasingly challenging circumstances, and communities that encourage unwavering faith. When tempted to vacillate, we can pray as the father in Mark’s Gospel did: “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24), acknowledging our struggle while turning to the One who can unify our divided hearts.

Related Words

• διακρίνω (diakrinō, “to doubt/waver”) – This verb describes the internal process of wavering between two positions, the active doubt that characterizes the double-minded person. While δίψυχος describes the state of having a divided heart, διακρίνω describes the action of vacillating in judgment or faith. See G1252
• διστάζω (distazō, “to doubt/hesitate”) – Similar to δίψυχος in that it contains the prefix δίς (“twice”), this verb describes hesitation between two positions. It appears in Matthew when disciples doubt despite seeing miracles. See G1365
• ἀκατάστατος (akatastatos, “unstable/restless”) – James uses this term in the same verse as δίψυχος (James 1:8), describing the practical result of double-mindedness as instability in all one’s ways. See G182
• μετεωρίζομαι (meteōrizomai, “to be anxious/in suspense”) – This word describes being “up in the air” or unsettled, a state often resulting from divided loyalty and trust. See G3349
• ἁπλότης (haplotēs, “singleness/sincerity”) – The conceptual opposite of δίψυχος, this term describes singleness of heart, the undivided loyalty that characterizes genuine faith. See G572

Did you Know?

• Did you know that while δίψυχος only appears twice in the New Testament (both times in James), it became one of the most frequently used ethical terms in the early post-apostolic writings? The Shepherd of Hermas uses forms of this word over forty times, suggesting it struck a chord with early believers facing persecution and the temptation to compromise their faith. This early Christian document became so associated with warnings against double-mindedness that some Church Fathers referred to sections of it as “The Book of Two Ways,” contrasting the path of single-hearted devotion with that of wavering loyalty.
• Did you know that modern psychology has inadvertently confirmed the biblical wisdom regarding double-mindedness? The psychological concept of “cognitive dissonance”—the mental discomfort experienced when holding contradictory beliefs or values—parallels the instability James attributes to the δίψυχος person. Research shows that this internal conflict creates stress, impairs decision-making, and often leads to rationalization rather than resolution. The biblical solution of purifying the heart by making a clear choice resembles what psychologists recommend: resolving the dissonance by aligning beliefs and actions rather than trying to maintain contradictory positions.
• Did you know that in Rabbinic Judaism, the concept similar to δίψυχος is expressed as having a “divided heart” (לב חלוק, lev chaluk)? The rabbis taught that the Torah must be studied with a “whole heart” (לב שלם, lev shalem), not a divided one. This teaching appears in various midrashim commenting on Psalm 86:11: “Unite my heart to fear Your name.” The Jewish sages understood that spiritual and intellectual division prevents proper understanding of divine truth—a concept James, as a Jewish believer, would have been thoroughly familiar with when warning against being δίψυχος.

Remember This

The δίψυχος heart attempts the impossible task of loving both God and competing values, creating spiritual instability that blocks divine blessing; but when we surrender to total devotion to the Messiah, our formerly divided hearts find the stability, peace, and wisdom that can only come from single-minded faith.