Lexical Summary athumeo: To be disheartened, to lose heart, to be discouraged. Original Word: ἀθυμέω 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: ἀθυμέωἀθυμέω, (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). 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). 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 mēLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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