"scant of faith, of little faith, one whose faith is small and weak, Mt. 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:18; Lk. 12:28*"
Definition and meaning
scant of faith, of little faith, one whose faith is small and weak, Mt. 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:18; Lk. 12:28*
In the original Greek the word is written: ὀλιγόπιστος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of oligopistos (G3640) across the King James Bible.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
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Common questions
Strong's G3640 (oligopistos) is a Greek word that means: scant of faith, of little faith, one whose faith is small and weak, Mt. 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:18; Lk. 12:28* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word oligopistos (G3640) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3640 is oligopistos, a Greek word defined as: scant of faith, of little faith, one whose faith is small and weak, Mt. 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 16:18; Lk. 12:28*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
oligopistos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.