Lexical Summary deiliaó: To be timid, to be cowardly, to fear Original Word: δειλιάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be afraid. From deilia; to be timid -- be afraid. see GREEK deilia HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1168 deiliáō – to be timid (fearful), living in dread (paralyzing fear of consequences). 1168 /deiliáō ("living in fearful dread") is used only in Jn 14:27. See 1169 (deilós). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom deilia Definition to be cowardly NASB Translation fearful (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1168: δειλιάωδειλιάω, δειλιω; (δειλία, which see); to be timid, fearful: John 14:27. (Deuteronomy 31:6; Deuteronomy 1:21 and often in the Sept.; Sir. 22:16 Sir. 31:16 (Sir. 34:16); 4 Macc. 14:4. Diodorus 20, 78. The Greeks prefer the compound ἀποδειλιω.) Topical Lexicon Canonical Context In the Greek New Testament the verb appears once, in John 14:27, where it forms part of the Lord’s farewell discourse. The term is placed in direct contrast to the peace Jesus bestows, making fearfulness mutually exclusive with the tranquil confidence imparted by Christ. Occurrence in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) The Lord addresses His imminent departure and the coming opposition the disciples would face. By commanding that their hearts not “be afraid,” He removes room for cowardice in the life of believers and roots their courage in His own conquering peace (John 16:33). Old Testament Background Scripture consistently distinguishes craven fear from proper reverence. Israel’s leaders were called to reject timidity: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). Prophets likewise denounced faint-heartedness in the face of idolatry and foreign powers (Isaiah 41:10, 13-14). New Testament Theological Themes 1 Timothy 1:7 parallels the concept with the noun “timidity,” affirming that the Spirit grants “power, love, and self-control,” not cowardice. Revelation 21:8 lists “the cowardly” among those excluded from the New Jerusalem, highlighting the moral weight Scripture attaches to fearful compromise. Thus, cowardice is treated not as a benign emotion but as a failure to trust the presence and promises of God. Contrast with Godly Fear There is a holy, reverential fear commended in passages such as 1 Peter 1:17 and Hebrews 12:28. That awe honors God’s majesty, whereas the cowardice forbidden in John 14:27 shrinks back from obedience and witness. The true knowledge of God drives out the latter while deepening the former. Pastoral and Practical Applications • Assurance in Christ’s peace equips believers for persecution, anxiety, or personal trial. Historical Interpretation Early church fathers read John 14:27 as a mandate for martyr courage. Tertullian contrasted Christian fortitude with pagan fear of death; Chrysostom exhorted hearers that Christ “quells the billows within the soul.” Reformers linked the verse to conscience set free from papal threats, while Puritans applied it against despair during persecution and plague. Relationship to Courage in Christian Ministry Mission requires the absence of timidity. Paul’s request for prayer “that I may declare it boldly” (Ephesians 6:19-20) echoes Christ’s command. Evangelism, pastoral care, and doctrinal defense depend on the heart that refuses to retreat when confronted by cultural hostility or spiritual opposition. Examples in Early Church Acts records Stephen, Peter, John, and Paul displaying the very courage Jesus commanded. Their fearless witness before councils and governors fulfills John 14:27 and demonstrates that Christ’s promised peace transcends circumstances. Connection with Holy Spirit Empowerment The discourse that houses John 14:27 also promises the Paraclete (John 14:16-17, 26). The Spirit internalizes Christ’s peace, reinforcing that freedom from cowardice is not self-generated but Spirit-wrought, aligning with later apostolic teaching (Romans 8:15; 2 Timothy 1:7). Summary Strong’s Greek 1168 identifies the eradication of cowardice as an essential fruit of Christ’s peace. Grounded in the character of God, fulfilled in the presence of the Spirit, and vital for faithful witness, the command “do not be afraid” shapes Christian identity from the Upper Room to the present age. Forms and Transliterations δειλία δειλιάσει δειλιάσης δειλιάσητε δειλιάσουσιν δειλιάσω δειλιατω δειλιάτω δειλινήν δειλινόν εδειλίασαν εδείλίασαν εδειλίασεν deiliato deiliatō deiliáto deiliátōLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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