ἀθυμέω
athyméō
G120 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To lose heart, to become discouraged or dispirited; to be fainthearted or to lose confidence, especially in the face of difficulties or adversity. The term conveys a sense of emotional distress or internal loss of motivation, particularly when confronted with overwhelming circumstances.
Semantic Range
to lose heart, be discouraged, feel despondent, become dispirited, be dismayed
Root / Etymology
From the negative prefix ἀ- (a-, 'not' or 'without') and θυμός (thymos, 'spirit', 'courage', 'heart').
Historical & Contextual Notes
ἀθυμέω appears rarely in classical Greek, where it generally means 'to lose heart' or 'to be dispirited'. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, including the New Testament, it keeps this fundamental sense of being discouraged or disheartened, often in the face of suffering or adversity. In the New Testament (e.g., Colossians 3:21), it refers specifically to losing motivation or becoming discouraged, such as children being disheartened by harsh treatment. The semantic field is narrower than broader terms for suffering or fear, focusing specifically on the loss of internal spirit rather than on external danger or persecution. English translations sometimes render ἀθυμέω as 'lose heart', 'be discouraged', or 'become dispirited', but the sense in Greek highlights an inner collapse of resolve rather than external troubles themselves. It is typically used in contexts encouraging perseverance and care in interpersonal relationships to prevent such discouragement.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a compound of Α (as a negative particle) and θυμός; to be spiritless, i.e. disheartened:--be dismayed.
Root Family
ἀθυμέω (athyméō) — spirit, courage, heart
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G120-01 |
ἀθυμῶσιν | athumosin | V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P PL |
they lose heart | they may lose heart | they may lose heart | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G120-01 |
Colossians 3:21 | ἀθυμῶσιν | athumosin | V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P PL |
they lose heart | they may lose heart | they may lose heart |