The term "faint-hearted" refers to a lack of courage or resolution, often manifesting as fear, timidity, or a tendency to lose heart in the face of challenges. In the biblical context, being faint-hearted is generally viewed as a spiritual weakness that can hinder one's faith and obedience to God.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the concept of faint-heartedness is addressed in several passages, often in the context of warfare or spiritual challenges. Deuteronomy 20:8 provides a direct reference: "Then the officers shall add, 'Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home, so that the hearts of his brothers will not melt like his own.'" Here, the faint-hearted are excused from battle to prevent their fear from spreading to others, highlighting the contagious nature of fear and the importance of courage in fulfilling God's commands.

Isaiah 35:4 offers encouragement to those who are faint-hearted: "Say to those with anxious hearts: 'Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.'" This passage reassures the faint-hearted of God's imminent intervention and deliverance, urging them to replace fear with faith.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, faint-heartedness is addressed in the context of spiritual perseverance and encouragement within the Christian community. In 1 Thessalonians 5:14, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers: "And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone." Here, the faint-hearted are to be encouraged, indicating the role of the community in supporting those who struggle with fear or doubt.

The parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8 also speaks to the issue of losing heart. Jesus tells this parable "to show them that they should always pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1). The message is clear: persistent faith and prayer are antidotes to faint-heartedness.

Spiritual Implications

From a spiritual perspective, faint-heartedness can be seen as a lack of trust in God's promises and power. It is often contrasted with the biblical call to be strong and courageous, as seen in Joshua 1:9: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

The Bible encourages believers to overcome faint-heartedness through faith, prayer, and reliance on God's strength. Philippians 4:13 reminds Christians, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength," emphasizing that reliance on Christ is key to overcoming fear and timidity.

Practical Application

In practical terms, overcoming faint-heartedness involves cultivating a deeper trust in God and His Word. Regular prayer, meditation on Scripture, and fellowship with other believers can strengthen one's resolve and courage. Encouraging one another, as instructed in Hebrews 10:24-25, is vital: "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Ultimately, the Bible presents faint-heartedness as a challenge to be met with faith, community support, and a steadfast focus on God's promises.3642. oligopsuchos -- fainthearted
... and psuche Definition fainthearted NASB Word Usage fainthearted (1). feebleminded.
From oligos and pshar; little-spirited, ie Faint-hearted -- feebleminded. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3642.htm - 7k

1169. deilos -- cowardly, fearful
... 1169 ("fearful of losses") refers to an excessive fear (dread) of "losing," causing
someone to be fainthearted (cowardly) -- hence, to fall short in following ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1169.htm - 7k

7401. rakak -- to be tender, weak or soft
... be fainthearted, mollify, be, make softer, be tender. A primitive root; to soften
(intransitively or transitively), used figuratively -- (be) faint((-hearted)), ...
/hebrew/7401.htm - 6k

7390. rak -- tender, delicate, soft
... fainthearted, soft, tender hearted, one, weak. From rakak; tender (literally or
figuratively); by implication, weak -- faint((-hearted), soft, tender ((-hearted ...
/hebrew/7390.htm - 6k

4127. mug -- to melt
... consume, dissolve, be fainthearted, melt away, make soft. ... disappear), or figuratively
(to fear, faint) -- consume, dissolve, (be) faint(-hearted), melt (away ...
/hebrew/4127.htm - 6k

3824. lebab -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... will, heart NASB Word Usage anger (1), breasts (1), conscientious* (1), consider*
(5), courage (1), desire (1), encouragingly* (1), fainthearted* (3), heart ...
/hebrew/3824.htm - 6k

How the Forward and the Faint-Hearted are to be Admonished.
... How the forward and the faint-hearted are to be admonished. (Admonition 9.)
Differently to be admonished are the forward and the faint-hearted. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter viii how the forward.htm

Whether Pusillanimity is a Sin?
... For every sin makes a man evil, just as every virtue makes a man good. But a
fainthearted man is not evil, as the Philosopher says (Ethic. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether pusillanimity is a sin.htm

Whether Pusillanimity is Opposed to Magnanimity?
... For the Philosopher says (Ethic., 3) that "the fainthearted man knows not himself:
for he would desire the good things, of which he is worthy, if he knew ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether pusillanimity is opposed to.htm

Hebrews iv. 13-Nov
... of the power of God; they ought to have believed, but yielding too much to fear
and imagining nothing great concerning God, and being faint-hearted,"so they ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily vii hebrews iv 13-nov.htm

To the End God May Rest in the Soul to the End God May Rest in the ...
... When thou are more faint-hearted, betake thy self to this refuge of Prayer, the
only Armor for overcoming the enemy, and mitigating tribulation: thou ought not ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap i to the end.htm

To Prevent any one from Being Checked in the Exercise of Mercy...
... on them." [77]. 42. A faint-hearted man, seeing this, is disturbed in mind,
and turns his attention away from it. Holy Job, when ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xii to prevent any.htm

Whether God Should be Praised with Song?
... Hence the use of music in the divine praises is a salutary institution, that the
souls of the faint-hearted may be the more incited to devotion. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether god should be praised 2.htm

Whether the Judicial Precepts Regarding Foreigners were Framed in ...
... But it is a man's fault if he be timid or faint-hearted: since this is
contrary to the virtue of fortitude. Therefore the timid ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the judicial precepts regarding.htm

On Accusations, and the Treatment of Accusers.
... them: "Be strengthened, ye weak hands and feeble knees." [2770] For we ought to
comfort those that mourn, and afford encouragement to the fainthearted, lest by ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec v on accusations and the.htm

1 Thessalonians v. 12, 13
... Ver.14. "And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the
faint-hearted, support the weak, be ... "Encourage the fainthearted, support the weak ...
/.../homily x 1 thessalonians v.htm

Fainthearted (7 Occurrences)
... cowardly; timorous; dejected. Multi-Version Concordance Fainthearted (7
Occurrences). 1 Thessalonians 5:14 We exhort you, brothers ...
/f/fainthearted.htm - 8k

Faint-hearted (7 Occurrences)
Faint-hearted. Fainthearted, Faint-hearted. Fainting . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WBS). Fainthearted, Faint-hearted. Fainting . Reference Bible.
/f/faint-hearted.htm - 8k

Fainteth (11 Occurrences)

/f/fainteth.htm - 9k

Fainting (9 Occurrences)

/f/fainting.htm - 9k

Faint (76 Occurrences)
... to some authorities egkakeo, pronounced enkakeo, meaning "to be faint-hearted" or
"to ... and they shall say, "What man is there who is fearful and fainthearted? ...
/f/faint.htm - 38k

Nicodemus (5 Occurrences)
... To this faint-hearted faith corresponded his timidity of action, which displayed
itself in his coming "by night," lest he should offend his colleagues in the ...
/n/nicodemus.htm - 14k

Urge (34 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 5:14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage
the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all. (See NAS NIV). ...
/u/urge.htm - 15k

Idlers (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Thessalonians 5:14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage
the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all. (See RSV). ...
/i/idlers.htm - 6k

Idle (33 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Thessalonians 5:14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly,
encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all. ...
/i/idle.htm - 18k

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