120. athumeo
Lexical Summary
athumeo: To be disheartened, to lose heart, to be discouraged.

Original Word: ἀθυμέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: athumeo
Pronunciation: ath-oo-meh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (ath-oo-meh'-o)
KJV: be dismayed
Word Origin: [from a compound of G1 (α - Alpha) (as a negative particle) and G2372 (θυμός - wrath)]

1. to be spiritless, i.e. disheartened

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be dismayed.

From a compound of a (as a negative particle) and thumos; to be spiritless, i.e. Disheartened -- be dismayed.

see GREEK a

see GREEK thumos

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 120: ἀθυμέω

ἀθυμέω, (ῶ; common among the Greeks from (Aeschylus) Thucydides down; to be ἄθυμος (θυμός, spirit, courage), to be disheartened, dispirited, broken in spirit: Colossians 3:21. (the Sept. 1 Samuel 1:6f, etc.; Judith 7:22; 1 Macc. 4:27).

Topical Lexicon
Overview of the Term in Scripture

The verb depicts a state of inner deflation—losing heart, becoming dispirited or discouraged. Scripture employs it once, making its single appearance especially weighty, for it occurs within Paul’s household code that governs the Christian family.

Usage in Colossians 3:21

“Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:21)

Here the Apostle Paul addresses fathers, the family’s spiritual shepherds. He warns that harsh, capricious, or belittling treatment can drain a child’s courage and crush the will to persevere in godliness. The admonition balances parental authority with pastoral tenderness, reflecting the Father-heart of God.

Fatherhood and the Nurturing of Children

1. Reflecting God’s character: Earthly fathers mirror the heavenly Father, who is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion” (Psalm 103:8).
2. Discipline without discouragement: Discipline is biblical (Proverbs 13:24) yet must aim at training, not humiliation.
3. Building resilient faith: Encouraging words cultivate spiritual stamina, enabling children to “run with endurance the race set out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).

Encouragement as a Biblical Principle

From Moses exhorting Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:7) to Jesus heartening the disciples (John 16:33), Scripture consistently calls God’s people to strengthen one another’s hearts. The lone negative command in Colossians 3:21 underscores the priority of preserving courage; anything that erodes it contradicts the gospel’s life-giving intent.

Historical Context of Paul’s Instructions

In first-century Greco-Roman culture, the paterfamilias wielded near-absolute authority, including the power of life and death over household members. Paul’s directive stands in prophetic contrast, subordinating paternal power to Christ’s lordship and embedding mutual care within the family structure introduced in Colossians 3:18-4:1.

Ministry and Pastoral Application

• Parenting seminars and church counseling should emphasize affirmation alongside correction, modeling Paul’s blend of truth and grace (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).
• Elders and youth leaders serve as surrogate spiritual parents; their tone must foster hope, echoing Paul’s pastoral ethic (2 Corinthians 2:6-8).
• Congregations can cultivate cultures of encouragement by practicing Hebrews 10:24-25—spurring one another toward love and good deeds.

Related Biblical Passages

Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6; 1 Samuel 1:27-28; Isaiah 40:29-31; 2 Corinthians 4:1; Hebrews 12:5-11.

Conclusion

Strong’s Greek 120 crystallizes the peril of emotional depletion within the covenant household. The apostolic remedy is gentle, purposeful fatherly guidance that mirrors divine compassion. By guarding hearts from discouragement, Christian parents and leaders open avenues for flourishing faith and steadfast service to Christ.

Forms and Transliterations
αθυμήσασι αθυμία αθυμίας αθυμούσαν αθυμωσιν αθυμώσιν ἀθυμῶσιν άθυτόν ηθύμει ηθύμησε μὴ athumosin athumōsin athymosin athymôsin athymōsin athymō̂sin me mē
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Colossians 3:21 V-PSA-3P
GRK: ἵνα μὴ ἀθυμῶσιν
NAS: so that they will not lose heart.
KJV: [to anger], lest they be discouraged.
INT: that not they be disheartened

Strong's Greek 120
1 Occurrence


ἀθυμῶσιν — 1 Occ.

119
Top of Page
Top of Page