Original Word: ὀλιγόπιστος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: oligopistos
Pronunciation: o-lee-GO-pis-tos
Phonetic Spelling: (ol-ig-op'-is-tos)
Definition: Little faith, of little faith
Meaning: of little faith.

Word Origin: Derived from two Greek words: ὀλίγος (oligos), meaning "little" or "few," and πίστις (pistis), meaning "faith."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for "oligopistos," the concept of faith and trust in God is prevalent throughout the Old Testament. Hebrew words like אֱמוּנָה (emunah, Strong's H530) meaning "faithfulness" or "steadfastness," and בָּטַח (batach, Strong's H982) meaning "to trust" or "to have confidence," capture similar themes.

Usage: The term "oligopistos" is used in the New Testament to describe individuals who exhibit a lack of faith or trust in God. It is often used by Jesus to gently rebuke His disciples or followers when they doubt His power or provision. The word conveys a sense of insufficient faith, not necessarily a complete absence of it, but rather a faith that is weak or underdeveloped.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the context of first-century Judea, faith was a central component of religious life. The Jewish people were familiar with the concept of faith in God as a foundational aspect of their covenant relationship with Him. Jesus' use of "oligopistos" reflects a call to deeper trust and reliance on God, challenging the prevailing attitudes of doubt and fear that could hinder spiritual growth and understanding.

3640 oligópistos (from 3641 /olígos, "little in number, low in quantity" and 4102 /pístis, "faith") – properly, few occurrences (applications) of faith. 3640 (oligópistos) occurs five times in the NT, each time with Jesus rebuking the problem of failing to hear His voice (cf. Jn 10:3,4,27).

"Little-faith" (3640 /oligópistos) describes someone dull to hearing the Lord's voice, or disinterested in walking intimately with Him. In contrast, the goal of life is to receive (obey) the Lord's gift of faith in each scene of life (Ro 14:23; Heb 11:6).

[3640 (oligópistos) is derived from 3461 /myriás ("few, small in number"), which is the opposite of 4183 /polýs ("many in number").]

STRONGS NT 3640: ὀλιγόπιστος

ὀλιγόπιστος, ὀλιγοπιστου, ὁ, ἡ (ὀλίγος and πίστις), of little faith, trusting too little: Matthew 6:30; Matthew 8:26; Matthew 14:31; Matthew 16:8; Luke 12:28. (Not found in secular authors)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

of little faith.

From oligos and pistis; incredulous, i.e. Lacking confidence (in Christ) -- of little faith.

see GREEK oligos

see GREEK pistis

Forms and Transliterations

Ολιγοπιστε ολιγόπιστε Ὀλιγόπιστε ολιγοπιστιαν ὀλιγοπιστίαν ολιγοπιστοι ολιγόπιστοι ὀλιγόπιστοι Oligopiste Oligópiste oligopistian oligopistían oligopistoi oligópistoi

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts