δειλία
deilía
G1167 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An attitude or state of timidity, lack of courage, or fearfulness. Primarily denotes a disposition marked by hesitation, apprehension, or weakness in the face of danger, opposition, or responsibility. May further include a sense of cowardice or moral weakness, particularly as opposed to boldness or confidence.
Semantic Range
timidity, cowardice, fearfulness, moral weakness, apprehensiveness
Root / Etymology
Derived from the adjective δειλός (deilós), meaning 'timid, cowardly, fearful.' The nominal ending -ία forms an abstract noun indicating the quality or state of being timid.
Historical & Contextual Notes
δειλία is attested in classical Greek (e.g., Plato, Xenophon) and carries a pejorative nuance, frequently associated with moral failure or lack of virtue. In philosophical and ethical contexts, it is distinguished from reasonable caution (φρόνησις, prudence); rather, it denotes an excessive fear that prevents appropriate action. In the Hellenistic and Second Temple contexts, including the New Testament (e.g., 2 Timothy 1:7), δειλία consistently refers to a spirit or attitude of fearfulness or cowardice, generally contrasted with spiritual boldness or confidence. Standard English translations as simply 'fear' or 'timidity' may understate the negative evaluation in Greek usage, which often implies a deficiency in character. The semantically related ἔκστασις denotes astonishment or terror, while φόβος has a broader range, from reverential awe to outright terror, but δειλία particularly accents the aspect of base fear or cowardly reluctance.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from δειλός; timidity:--fear.
Root Family
δειλία (deilia) — timidity, cowardice, fearfulness, moral weakness
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1167-01 |
δειλίας | deilias | N GEN F SG |
of fear | of timidity | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1167-01 |
2 Timothy 1:7 | δειλίας | deilias | N GEN F SG |
of fear | of timidity |