An unwillingness to act in a situation of danger or opposition, because of fear. Avoiding the source of one's anxiety or fear, rather than dealing with it directly.
Cowardice prevents people from acknowledging Jesus Christ publicly
John 12:42–43 See also John 7:13, John 9:22–23 parents of the man born blind; John 19:38, John 20:19
Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
Cowardice inhibits bad as well as good behaviour
Matthew 14:5, Matthew 21:26, Matthew 21:46
Cowardice leads to avoidance of the difficulty
Matthew 26:56 See also 1 Samuel 13:6–7 the Philistine threat; 1 Samuel 17:24 Goliath; 1 Kings 19:2–3; Jonah 1:10; Matthew 26:69–74 parallels Mark 14:66–71, Luke 22:57–60, John 18:15–18, John 18:25–27; Luke 8:37 after the destruction of the pigs; Galatians 2:12 Peter
But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.
Cowardice can spread within a group
Deuteronomy 20:8 Numbers 13:30–33; Joshua 14:8; Judges 7:2–3; Jeremiah 38:4
Then the officers shall speak further to the army, saying, “Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him return home, so that the hearts of his brothers will not melt like his own.”
God can work through cowardice
In humbling disobedient people
Leviticus 26:36–39; Isaiah 30:15–17
In routing the enemy
Rahab and the Israelite spies: Joshua 2:8–11, Joshua 2:24; 1 Samuel 14:15–16 the Philistines
God gives hope to the cowardly or fearful
Proverbs 29:25 See also Deuteronomy 1:27–31; Judges 7:10–11; Psalm 56:3–4; Isaiah 51:12–15; Luke 21:12–19ACT Luke 4:5–10, Acts 4:13, Acts 4:29–31
The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.
Judgment on cowards
Revelation 21:8 Where cowardice meant rejecting the gospel and denying Jesus Christ.
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.