Timidity (1167) (deilia from deilos = fearful, timid as in Mt 8:26 where it equated their fear with little faith and in Septuagint of Jdg 7:3-note, other uses of deilos = Mk 4:40, Re 21:9, deiliao - used only in Jn 14:27) (this is the only use of deilia in the NT) means lack of mental or moral strength, timidity (lacking courage, self confidence, boldness or determination), reticence (inclination to be silent or uncommunicative in speech), cowardice (lack of courage or resolution) or shameful fear that is generated by weak, selfish character. The picture is one who is in a state of fear because of a lack of courage or moral strength. As noted deilia is used only here in the NT, which makes a discussion of the definition more difficult than if there were numerous NT uses to compare the contextual uses. Deilia however is used in the Septuagint (LXX) which might help substantiate the meaning of deilia. For example Moses records... Lv 26:36 (or Lv 26:36ESV) As for those of you who may be left, I will also bring weakness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies. And the sound of a driven leaf will chase them and even when no one is pursuing, they will flee as though from the sword, and they will fall. Comment: In Lv 26:36, the Hebrew noun morek is translated "weakness" (NAS) or "faintness" (ESV) and conveys the idea of fearfulness or timidity (Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains). The Septuagint translators choice of deilia for morek is compatible with the definition outlined above. Morek is grouped in the TWOT in a list of Hebrew words that William White states all convey... The psychological notion of “weak resolve,” which is the basic and underlying meaning is easily understood in all of the contexts in which it occurs. (Harris, R L, Archer, G L & Waltke, B K Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Moody Press) So again the Hebrew ideas conveyed by morek are very compatible with deilia signifying a lack of mental resolve which results in timidity or cowardice. In addition Spicq writes that this word group (deilia, deiliao, deilos) is... Associated with phobos (Wis 4:17), eklusis (2 Macc 3:24), anandria (cf. 4 Macc 6:20), atolmia (Philo, Virtues 25; Josephus, Ant. 4.298; 15.142; Aeneas Tacticus, Polior. 16.20), faintheartedness or cowardice can be defined as “a failure of spirit caused by fear.” Rarely mentioned in the papyri, it is used for mere reserve or abstention, a lack of courage and of reaction, a sort of torpor, and finally fright (tarassō, Ps 55:4; John 14:27; Josephus, Ant. 5.216) which can become panic and terror in the face of extreme danger. Jesus reproaches the apostles for this psychological fear when they are terrified by the storm (Mt 8:26; Mk 4:40), because it involves a moral deficiency: they no longer have faith, or they have but little faith in the presence of the Savior, who has to reassure them. (Spicq, C., & Ernest, J. D. Theological Lexicon of the New Testament. 1:300-301. Peabody, MA.: Hendrickson) Deilia is never used in a good sense, whereas another word for "fear" (phobos) can be used in either a good sense (fear of the Lord) or a bad sense. Deilia is only used here in the NT. Related Resource: Click 4 part series on Biblically How to Handle Fear Trench commenting on the comparison of deilia, phobos and eulabeia writes that... Of these three words the first, deilia, is used always in a bad sense; the second, phobos , is a middle term, capable of a good interpretation, capable of an evil, and lying indifferently between the two; the third, eulabeia, is quite predominantly used in a good sense, though it too has not altogether escaped being employed in an evil. (Trench, R. C. Synonyms of the New Testament. Page 34) Friberg defines deilia as a shameful state of fear from lack of courage (Friberg, T., Friberg, B., & Miller, N. F. Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament. Baker Academic) As noted above, although deilia is not used elsewhere in Scripture, Jesus does use the related verb deliao in His parting words of comfort to His disciples whose hearts were troubled and agitated... Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, (present imperative = stop letting this happen. Verb tarasso = cause one inward commotion, take away calmness of mind, disturb equanimity; disquiet, make restless) nor let it be fearful. (Deliao = present imperative with a negative - conveying that may have been occurring so the idea is "Stop being fearful" or "Stop lacking courage".) (John 14:27) So here we see the antidote for "fearfulness" or "timidity" is the peace that Christ gives. J Vernon McGee adds these practical comments on Jesus words in John 14:27... The peace He is talking about here is not the peace of sins forgiven. This is the glorious, wonderful peace that comes to the heart of those who are fully yielded to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the peace of heart and mind of those who are in the will of God." (McGee, J. V. Thru the Bible commentary. Vol. 4, page 464. Nashville: Thomas Nelson) (Or Listen to the Mp3 of John 14:16-31) (Bolding added) Warren Wiersbe adds that... The world bases its peace on its resources, while God’s peace depends on relationships. To be right with God means to enjoy the peace of God. The world depends on personal ability, but the Christian depends on spiritual adequacy in Christ. In the world, peace is something you hope for or work for; but to the Christian, peace is God’s wonderful gift, received by faith. Unsaved people enjoy peace when there is an absence of trouble; Christians enjoy peace in spite of trials because of the presence of power, the Holy Spirit. People in the world walk by sight and depend on the externals, but Christians walk by faith and depend on the eternals. (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor or Logos) Fearfulness arises from our own natural condition and should never mark the spirit of the believer. The Lord is never responsible for our cowardice, our lack of confidence, or our being shameful of Him. Under the severe persecution of Nero, with Paul in prison and condemned to death, it would be natural for Timothy and other believers to be afraid and to refrain from speaking out for Christ. Ray Stedman adds these practical thoughts I do not know any statement in Paul's writings that is more practically important to us than that ("God has not given us a spirit of fear"), because, if you are like me, you are oppressed and assaulted by a spirit of fear most of the time. Anxiety, worry, trembling about what is going to happen, a sense of terrible disaster looming, of chaos and crisis that is about to break upon us -- these are forms of fear; this is the spirit of fear. This verse says that these do not come from God. Did it ever occur to you that Christians are forbidden to fear? How many times in the Scriptures do we read that Jesus said, "Fear not!" (Ed: however not the same Greek word) "Let not your heart be troubled," {Jn 14:1, 14:27}. Do not let it go in that direction. Stop it when it starts going that way. God does not give us a spirit of fear. If we have such it is coming from another source, the enemy, who is the spirit of fear. (See the full sermon The Promise of Life) John MacArthur records a powerful example of the spirit Paul is writing about in this verse: During the Boxer Rebellion (1899—1900), extreme nationalist Chinese fomented a campaign of terror against officials of foreign governments, Christian missionaries, and even Chinese Christians. After they surrounded a certain mission station, they sealed all exits except one. They placed a cross in the dirt in front of the opened gate and told the missionaries and students that anyone who walked out and trampled the cross would be spared. According to reports, the first seven students who departed trampled the cross and were sent on their way. The eighth student, a young girl, approached the cross, knelt down, prayed for strength, carefully walked around the cross, and was immediately shot to death. The remaining 92 students, strengthened by that girl’s courageous example, also walked around the cross to their deaths. (MacArthur, J. 2 Timothy. Chicago: Moody Press or Logos) Today in the Word writes that... Mickey Mantle, the late Hall-of-Famer for the New York Yankees, was a teenager when the Yankees sent him back to the minors in 1951. Convinced he couldn't make it as a ballplayer, Mantle called his father, who came to Kansas City and found a tearful Mickey ready to quit the game. 'OK, son, if that's all the guts you have, you might as well come home with me and work in the zinc mines,' the elder Mantle said. His dad's challenge stung Mantle back to reality, and he went on to greatness. Paul's challenge to Timothy wasn't a stinging rebuke, but the apostle did urge his young spiritual son to 'get back in the game,' so to speak. For some reason, Timothy's spiritual fervor had begun to lag, even though he was in his youthful years (see 1Ti 4:12). He needed to rekindle the flame of his spiritual gift (2Ti 1:6) and get back in the game. (Ref) ><>><>><> People Of Courage - Police found it hard to believe, but an unarmed housewife captured three burglars singlehandedly. The woman had come home and found three men loading household items into their car parked in her driveway. She pulled her van behind their car and then ordered the men to carry her belongings back into the house and sit on the couch until the police arrived. Later, when asked why they didn't escape, she replied, "The Lord was with me. . . . I wasn't going to move my van so they could get away. What was I to do? Run away?" The apostle Paul also showed unusual courage. His friends probably thought he was being reckless when he insisted on going to Jerusalem after he had been warned of the danger that awaited him (Acts 21:11, 12, 13). A strong argument could be made for him to delay his trip. After all, on another occasion he had escaped from danger (Acts 9:23, 24, 25). Yet Paul knew what he had to do. With unwavering determination he courageously headed for Jerusalem. It's not easy to know when such boldness is wise or foolish. Only the Spirit can show us. But one thing is sure, Christians have reason to be courageous. God is our helper. And when we rely on Him, He'll enable us to stand firm no matter what danger we may face. —Mart De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) Ask God for good judgment and courage To face unexpected events; To follow the teachings of Scripture Is the best, most effective defense. —Hess Courage is fear that has said its prayers. BUT OF POWER: alla dunameos kai agapes kai sophronismou: (Micah 3:8; Zech 4:6; Lk 10:19; 24:49; Acts 1:8; 6:8; 9:22; 10:38; 1Cor 2:4) Micah after condemning the false prophets, whose true character had been disclosed by their "bad fruit" -- receiving "no answer of God" (Micah 3:7; cp Dt 18:20, 21, 22, notes on "bad fruit" to aid discernment -Mt 7:16; 17; 18; 19; 20 - see notes Mt 7:16; 17; 18; 19; 20), Micah asserts his own power to reveal God's Word through the Holy Spirit. His own prophecies would soon be fulfilled, and thus he declares... On the other hand I am filled with power (Lxx = ischus) -- (Where/Who is the Source of His power?) With the Spirit of the LORD-- And with justice and courage to make known to Jacob his rebellious act, even to Israel his sin. (Micah 3:8) Zechariah hears the following famous words of encouragement for the civil leader Zerubbabel, regarding the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem... Then he (the angel speaking to Zechariah) answered and said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts (see Jehovah Sabaoth). (Zech 4:6) Comment: Neither is man's weakness a hindrance to God, nor is his strength an aid to God. O, how we need to remember this basic principle of spiritual life, cp John 15:5. In some of our Lord's last words the King granted His apostles (and applicable to all believers of all ages) the following beatitude... And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power (dunamis) from on high. (Luke 24:49) Our Lord reiterated this glorious promise in Acts in what were literally His parting words before His ascension... but you shall receive power (dunamis) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Regarding our power versus God's power Spurgeon phrased it this way... Power in the creature is like water in the cistern. Power in the Creator is like water in the fountain. (From the The Mighty Arm) J. Hudson Taylor affirmed this axiom for every Christian worker... Depend upon it. God's work done in God's way will never lack supplies. All God's giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His being with them. God uses men who are weak and feeble enough to lean on Him. 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