What does the Bible say about cowardice or being a coward?

At first glance, it would seem the Bible has very little to say about cowardice. Some translations do not even contain the word, while in others it occurs only once in the book of Revelation:

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8, ESV)

The eternal outcome of the coward is the same as with murderers and sorcerers. Other scripture passages translate this as fearful in place of the word cowardly, but could it be that these words are synonymous? If so, what does that mean for all of us who have been occasionally fearful? Are we “the cowardly”, of which Revelation 21:8 speaks?

In the Greek, the word “delios” in Revelation 21:8 translates as “cowardly” and implies fearfulness, timidity, and lack of faith. Jesus made this connection of fearfulness to lack of faith while at sea during a storm.

“And he said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’” (Matthew 8:26, ESV)

The dictionary also defines coward as someone who lacks the courage to do dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant things. Scripture has much to say about being a slave to fear and contains stories of godly people who gave in to fear.

Joshua was the man who led Israel in the conquest of Canaan. Yet Joshua must have struggled with fear, for the Lord tells him over and over, “Do not be afraid” (Joshua 1:9) and “be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:18). It was an encouragement against cowardice that Joshua passed along to the Israelites (Joshua 10:25).

The Apostle Peter is a good example of someone who once showed cowardice or enslavement to fear but became courageous through faith in Jesus. Peter’s three-fold denial of Jesus to save his own life revealed a fear that he was still surrendered to men rather than to God (Luke 22:54–62). Later, during the time of the early church, Peter would refrain from eating with the Gentiles out of fear of the “circumcision party” – the Judaizers (Galatians 2:11–13). His fear of being criticized by his Jewish brothers kept him from obeying God, who had commanded him to accept the Gentiles into the community of believers, freely eating and drinking with them (Acts 11:1–17). Despite Peter’s occasional displays of cowardice, Jesus loved him and continued to call him a disciple (Luke 22:31–32). With Jesus’ forgiveness and the gift of His sanctifying Spirit, Peter overcame his cowardice and lived a life of great faith and boldness despite facing persecution (1 Peter 4:12–19).

There are several places in Scripture where God tells His people,

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV)

This was a command, not a suggestion. How could God expect us not to be afraid? It is because He promises to strengthen us and be with us.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

While it is natural to experience fear, scripture commands us to not let fear control us; instead, we are to cry out to the God of peace, who has promised to be with us and will help us in times of need. We must come to God with our fears, asking Him to work His perfect peace within us (Psalm 145:18). He wants us to ask (Matthew 7:7-8), and He will not let us down (Isaiah 41:10).

Adapted from What does the Bible say about cowardice or being a coward? in Got Questions.