Don’t Be Small-Souled
We are to encourage those who are fainthearted (1 Thess 5:14, NASB) – and this would, presumably, include ourselves when we are in that state. When we are fainthearted our soul is small (1 Thess 5:14, Rotherham). We wish to quit (1 Thess 5:14, WPNT note) and don’t think we can keep going (1 Thess 5:14, NLV). As a result, we are discouraged (1 Thess 5:14, Beck), apprehensive (1 Thess 5:14, NJB), afraid (1 Thess 5:14, SEB), and lack courage (1 Thess 5:14, Lamsa). We are timid (1 Thess 5:14, AB). We display faintheartedness when we are scrupulous, fearful, or too weak to deal with routine difficulties (TLNT, v 3, p 34). Such scruples may lead us to be anxious (Best, 1-2 Thessalonians, p 230). When we are small-souled, we are self-denigrating and have a poor opinion of ourselves (1 Thess 5:14, IVPBBC note).
I imagine that all of us are fainthearted at times. On such occasions, we need to be encouraged. To be encouraged is to receive courage (1 Thess 5:14, JB) or the strength to manage tough situations (TLNT, v 3, p 34). Someone draws near to us (SEC, NT #3888) or speaks kindly to us (CWSD:NT, #3888) so we are cheered (1 Thess 5:14, Williams) and comforted (1 Thess 5:14, NLV).
God does not want us to be small-souled people who are shackled to a small world by fear, doubt, discouragement, or overscrupulousness. He wants us to have larger souls which will dance and rejoice in the broad places of God’s spacious creation. Let us become larger-souled by replacing fear with trust (Heb 10:39), controlling or critical friends with kind friends, discouragement with praise (Isa 61:3, NET), and a poor opinion of ourselves with God’s opinion that we are His masterpieces (Eph 2:10, NLT). Finally, let’s get our eyes off our problems and onto our God. His love for us never ceases, His compassion is fresh each day, His faithfulness is great, and He beckons us to wait for Him to help us in the way and time He knows is best for our eternal enjoyment of Him (Lam 3:19-26, CEV with NCV and NIV).
Instead of being timid, learn to be appropriately bold.