δειλός (deilos)
deilos
timid
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective deilos describes a state of being timid or fearful, often carrying the connotation of cowardice. Derived from deos, meaning dread or fear, it points to an inner weakness that prevents one from facing danger with courage. In the New Testament, this word appears in only three verses, each highlighting a moment where human anxiety clashes with divine authority.
Jesus uses this term twice to rebuke his disciples for their lack of faith during storms (Matthew 8:26; Mark 4:40). By calling them deilois, he identifies their fear not just as natural caution, but as a failure to trust in his power. The word also appears in Revelation 21:8, where the fearful are listed among those excluded from the new Jerusalem, linking this timidity to a broader spiritual unfaithfulness.
Unlike words that might describe temporary nervousness, deilos suggests a persistent character flaw rooted in dread. Translators often render it as "timid" or "cowardly," capturing the sense of a spirit that yields to fear rather than standing firm in faith. This usage underscores the biblical tension between trusting God and succumbing to anxiety.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word deilos describes a deep-seated timidity that goes beyond simple nervousness. It points to an inner weakness where fear overrides trust in God’s power. When Jesus called his disciples this during a storm, He was not just noting their panic but highlighting a failure to rely on His authority over nature.
This term appears rarely in Scripture, which helps us understand its weight. It is linked with spiritual unfaithfulness in Revelation, showing that persistent cowardice can distance us from the hope of God’s promises. Recognizing this tendency in ourselves allows us to turn toward faith rather than hiding in anxiety.
Instead of letting dread dictate your actions, you are invited to rest in the One who calms the seas. This word reminds us that courage is not the absence of fear but the choice to trust God’s presence within it.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- fearful2×
- to [the] cowardly1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δειλοί2×
- δειλοῖς1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 8:26
He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm.
Jesus uses this term to rebuke the disciples for letting natural danger override their trust in His power.
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Mark 4:40
He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?”
The question highlights how fear can obscure the reality of faith during times of crisis.
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Revelation of John 21:8
But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
This verse links cowardice with unbelief, showing it as a spiritual state that excludes one from God's final promise.