Cowardice, as understood in the biblical context, refers to a lack of courage or the failure to stand firm in faith and righteousness in the face of fear, danger, or adversity. The Bible addresses cowardice both directly and indirectly, often contrasting it with the virtues of courage, faith, and trust in God.

Biblical References and Themes

1. Fear and Faithlessness: Cowardice is often associated with fear and a lack of faith. In Revelation 21:8 , cowardice is listed among the sins that lead to the second death: "But to the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death." This verse underscores the severity with which cowardice is viewed, equating it with other grave sins.

2. Old Testament Examples: The Israelites' fear and reluctance to enter the Promised Land, as recorded in Numbers 13-14, serve as a poignant example of cowardice. Despite God's promises and the positive report from Caleb and Joshua, the majority of the spies incited fear among the people, leading to their refusal to trust in God's provision. This act of cowardice resulted in a generation being denied entry into the land.

3. Courage as a Command: The Bible frequently commands believers to be courageous. In Joshua 1:9 , God instructs Joshua, "Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." This command highlights the expectation for God's people to rely on His presence and strength rather than succumbing to fear.

4. New Testament Encouragement: The New Testament continues to encourage believers to overcome fear through faith. In 2 Timothy 1:7 , Paul reminds Timothy, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline." This verse emphasizes that cowardice is not from God, and believers are equipped with the Holy Spirit to face challenges with boldness.

5. The Example of Christ: Jesus Christ exemplifies the ultimate courage and faithfulness. In the face of persecution and death, He remained steadfast in His mission. His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39) reveals His human struggle with fear, yet His submission to the Father's will demonstrates perfect courage and trust.

6. The Role of Faith: Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Hall of Fame," presents numerous examples of individuals who overcame fear through faith. Their accounts serve as encouragement for believers to trust in God's promises and power, even when circumstances seem daunting.

Practical Implications

Cowardice, as a failure to trust in God and act according to His will, is a significant spiritual issue. Believers are called to confront their fears with faith, drawing strength from God's promises and the example of Christ. The Bible encourages a life marked by courage, rooted in the assurance of God's presence and sovereignty.Joshua 7:5
And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even to Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: why the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.
Topicalbible.org

2 Timothy 4:16
At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
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John 18:17
Then said the damsel that kept the door to Peter, Are not you also one of this man's disciples? He said, I am not.
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John 18:27
Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
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John 18:25
And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore to him, Are not you also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
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John 6:19
So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing near to the ship: and they were afraid.
Topicalbible.org

John 12:42
Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
Topicalbible.org

John 9:22
These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.
Topicalbible.org

(n.) Want of courage to face danger; extreme timidity; pusillanimity; base fear of danger or hurt; lack of spirit.1167. deilia -- cowardice
... cowardice. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: deilia Phonetic Spelling:
(di-lee'-ah) Short Definition: cowardice Definition: cowardice, timidity. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1167.htm - 6k

Cowardice. November 26.
... Cowardice. November 26. There is but one thing which you have to fear in earth or
heaven"being untrue to your better selves, and therefore untrue to God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/daily thoughts /cowardice november 26.htm

Whether Cowardice* is a Greater vice than Intemperance? [*Cf. Q ]
... OF THE VICES OPPOSED TO TEMPERANCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether cowardice* is
a greater vice than intemperance? [*Cf. Q ]. Objection 1 ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether cowardice is a greater.htm

But this New Cloudy Political Cowardice Has Rendered Useless the ...
... Chapter 3 But this new cloudy political cowardice has rendered useless
the old English compromise.? But this new cloudy political ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 3 but this new.htm

His Charge of Cowardice is Baseless: for Basil Displayed the ...
... Book I. Section 12. His charge of cowardice is baseless: for Basil displayed the
highest courage before the Emperor and his Lord-Lieutenants. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 12 his charge of.htm

Defence of his Flight. 1. Athanasius Charged with Cowardice for ...
... Chapter II. Defence of His Flight. 1. Athanasius charged with cowardice
for escaping. I hear that Leontius [1389] , now at Antioch ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/defence of his flight 1.htm

Wider Wooing.
... And a struggle begins between conscience and cowardice, between right action with
an ugly fight for it, and yielding to wrong with an easy time of it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/wider wooing.htm

Ep. Lviii. To Basil.
... Some openly charge us with heresy, others with cowardice; with heresy, those who
believe that our language is not sound; with cowardice, they who blame our ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep lviii to basil.htm

Quotations from Athanasius' Defense of his Flight. '
... In short, they overlook the fact that while they pretend to upbraid us with cowardice,'
they are really criminating themselves: for if it be disgraceful to flee ...
/.../chapter viii quotations from athanasius defense.htm

Acts xxii. 17-20
... narrowly, because these virtues have their corresponding vices hard by them: mere
forwardness passing itself off for boldness, mere cowardice for gentleness ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlviii acts xxii 17-20.htm

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Events of that Day - the ...
... measures against the growing danger. Yet, even so, cowardice as well as
cunning marked their procedure. They dared not directly ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the third day.htm

Cowardice (1 Occurrence)
...Cowardice (1 Occurrence). 2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit which God has given us is
not a spirit of cowardice, but one of power and of love and of sound judgement. ...
/c/cowardice.htm - 6k

Sarai (13 Occurrences)
... This double relationship suggested to Abraham the expedient that he twice used when
he lacked faith in God to protect his life and in cowardice sought his own ...
/s/sarai.htm - 20k

Sarah (38 Occurrences)
... This double relationship suggested to Abraham the expedient that he twice used when
he lacked faith in God to protect his life and in cowardice sought his own ...
/s/sarah.htm - 28k

Cow (32 Occurrences)

/c/cow.htm - 18k

Discretion (20 Occurrences)
... discretion. (DBY). 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice,
but of power, and of love, and of wise discretion. (DBY). ...
/d/discretion.htm - 12k

Post (26 Occurrences)
... 15. (vt) To hold up to public blame or reproach; to advertise opprobriously; to
denounce by public proclamation; as, to post one for cowardice. 16. ...
/p/post.htm - 19k

Courage (74 Occurrences)
... A virtue highly esteemed among all nations, one of the four chief "natural" (cardinal)
virtues (The Wisdom of Solomon 8:7), while cowardice ranks as one of the ...
/c/courage.htm - 31k

Cowardly (1 Occurrence)

/c/cowardly.htm - 7k

Nero
... Here he prepared for suicide, but with great cowardice. He kept exclaiming, "What
an artist I am to perish!" (Qualis artifex pereo, Suet. xlix). ...
/n/nero.htm - 41k

Tongues (67 Occurrences)
... It is common to admire their courage and zeal, to contrast their fearlessness in
the presence of enemies and danger with their former timidity and cowardice. ...
/t/tongues.htm - 61k

What does the Bible say about cowardice or being a coward? | GotQuestions.org

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Cowardice: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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