Greek · G3640

ὀλιγόπιστος

Of little faith is an addressed description in Jesus' words to particular hearers, and the surrounding action must remain visible. In the clothing passages, the challenge stands beside the Father's knowledge of real needs.

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ὀλιγόπιστοςG3640
Pronunciationoligópistos

What does ὀλιγόπιστος (oligópistos) mean in the Bible?

Reader summary

Full entry for ὀλιγόπιστος (G3640) · Open the biblical lexicon

Questions this entry answers

What does ὀλιγόπιστος (oligópistos) mean in the Bible?

Of little faith is an addressed description in Jesus' words to particular hearers, and the surrounding action must remain visible. In the clothing passages, the challenge stands beside the Father's knowledge of real needs.

How does the BSB render G3640?

The BSB source-word alignment has 6 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include [You] of little faith (3), O [you] of little faith (2), [have] so little faith (1).

Where does ὀλιγόπιστος (oligópistos) appear in Scripture?

The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 6:30. Its strongest book concentrations include Matthew (5), Luke (1).

What This Word Actually Means

Of little faith is an addressed description in Jesus' words to particular hearers, and the surrounding action must remain visible. In the clothing passages, the challenge stands beside the Father's knowledge of real needs. In the storm, Jesus corrects the disciples and calms the sea. When Peter begins sinking, Jesus immediately reaches out and takes hold of him while asking why he doubted.

In the bread discussion, Jesus calls the disciples to remember provision and understand his warning. These directly matched adjective passages do not make a present teacher the judge of every anxious person's spiritual condition. Preserve Jesus' actual challenge without omitting his care, rescue and instruction. The phrase cannot diagnose a medical condition, explain every unhealed illness or permit withholding support until a distressed person displays sufficient confidence.

Read the named hearers and problem, encouraging trust without adding a private blame verdict.

Sources