δίψυχος (dipsuchos)
dipsuchos
double-minded
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek adjective dipsuchos describes a person who is "double-minded" or divided in spirit. Literally translating to "of two souls," it depicts an inner state of instability where one’s loyalty or focus is split between competing loyalties. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, both within the Epistle of James, highlighting a specific spiritual condition rather than a general personality trait.
James uses dipsuchos to characterize those who pray with divided hearts, asking God for wisdom while simultaneously doubting His willingness or ability to provide it (James 1:6-8). The word suggests that such instability makes a person "unstable in all their ways," unable to stand firm because their internal allegiance is fractured. It is not merely intellectual doubt but a practical inconsistency in devotion.
The term carries significant theological weight by linking inner integrity with outward reliability. James contrasts this wavering state with the steady faith that receives God’s gifts. By identifying dipsuchos as a barrier to stable prayer life, the text emphasizes that genuine trust requires a unified heart, free from the paralysis of conflicting desires.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dipsuchos literally means 'two-souled,' painting a picture of an inner division that prevents spiritual stability. When James uses it, he is not describing a simple lack of intelligence but a fractured loyalty. It is the state of asking God for wisdom while simultaneously doubting His character or willingness to provide it. This split focus creates a turbulence that makes us unstable in every area of life, unable to stand firm because our heart is pulled in two directions.
James offers a clear path out of this wavering condition in James 4:8. He invites us to draw near to God with the promise that He will draw near to us. This invitation requires cleansing our hands and purifying our hearts, moving from a divided spirit to a unified devotion. It is an encouragement to seek wholeness rather than perfection, trusting that God meets us when we stop trying to serve two masters.
Living with a single-minded focus does not mean you never struggle with doubt. It means choosing to anchor your trust in God’s faithfulness even when your feelings are mixed. By turning away from the paralysis of conflicting desires and fixing your attention on His goodness, you can find the peace that comes from a heart aligned with Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- double-minded1×
- [you] double-minded.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- δίψυχος1×
- δίψυχοι.1×
Key Verses
-
James 1:8
He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
This verse identifies the practical consequence of being double-minded as instability in all ways, showing how inner division affects every action.
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James 4:8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Here the term is used as a call to purification, linking the removal of double-mindedness with the promise that God will draw near when we seek Him.