Douay-Rheims apocalypse 21:8 question

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pollycarp

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It says the “fearful” among others … will end up in the pool burning with fire and brimstone…
How does it mean fearful? Lots of non-sinful people have been fearful haven’t they?

I’m reading the D-R New Testament because I wanted to see the original words, and this part is making me fearful. Thanks much for any answers.
 
polly,

The word that you’ve focused in on, here, which in the D-R is rendered timidis, is a translation from the original Greek of δειλοῖς. This word can be translated as ‘timid’, or ‘fearful’, or ‘cowardly’. But, I’d ask you to take a look at it in the contexts in which it appears in the Gospels: Matthew 8:26 and Mark 4:40. Here, in response to the storm on the sea, the apostles experience fear, even though they’re with Jesus. Jesus’ response highlights what he’s pointing out as the opposite of fear: faith.

So, I think it’s reasonable to say that what’s going on here is that those who are without faith – and who, therefore, fear – are being singled out. Does it mean that anytime we’re afraid, we’re in risk of losing our eternal reward? Of course not; we’re human, and this is a normal enough human reaction. However, if we let our lack of faith – which gives rise to fear – rule our lives, then we’re headed down the wrong path.

Hope this helps!

Blessings,

G.
 
It is interesting that the NRSV, NIV, KJV, Paraphrased, NASV (New American Standard) and the NAB versions render that as “the cowardly.” So, the Douay-Rheims seems to be pretty alone on that one. “Cowards: their conviction is so weak that they deny Christ in time of trial and become traitors.” ~ US Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Even more interesting, however, is that fact that the NAB, most widely used Catholic version, does not use the word Hell. It employs the words Sheol, Hades and Gehenna mostly. Being that in the OT Sheol refers to the abode of the dead and in the NT Hades seems (emphasis on “seems”) to be referring to Greek mythology, does this mean that we don’t believe in Hell at all? Now, I’m not saying that we don’t; I’m just asking. Furthermore, by asking I’m not saying that I disapprove of any Bible versions that do not use the word Hell; most do and some don’t.
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The Douay-Rheims Bible is a scrupulously faithful translation into English of the Latin Vulgate Bible which St. Jerome (342-420) translated into Latin from the original languages. The Vulgate quickly became the Bible universally used in the Latin Rite (by far the largest rite of the Catholic Church).

Latin Vulgate:

timidis autem et incredulis et execratis et homicidis et fornicatoribus et veneficis et idolatris et omnibus mendacibus pars illorum erit in stagno ardenti igne et sulphure quod est mors secunda

Translation of LV:

But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death
 
Gorgias said:
polly,

The word that you’ve focused in on, here, which in the D-R is rendered timidis, is a translation from the original Greek of δειλοῖς. This word can be translated as ‘timid’, or ‘fearful’, or ‘cowardly’. But, I’d ask you to take a look at it in the contexts in which it appears in the Gospels: Matthew 8:26 and Mark 4:40. Here, in response to the storm on the sea, the apostles experience fear, even though they’re with Jesus. Jesus’ response highlights what he’s pointing out as the opposite of fear: faith.

So, I think it’s reasonable to say that what’s going on here is that those who are without faith – and who, therefore, fear – are being singled out. Does it mean that anytime we’re afraid, we’re in risk of losing our eternal reward? Of course not; we’re human, and this is a normal enough human reaction. However, if we let our lack of faith – which gives rise to fear – rule our lives, then we’re headed down the wrong path.

Hope this helps!

Blessings,

G.
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Faith! This helps very much. Thanks gorgias. I have to work at remembering this, and also what Fr. Lorenzo Scupoli said, “All anxiety of mind is displeasing in His divine sight, whatever may be the cause of it, for it is never free of imperfection and always springs from some evil root of self-love.”
 
I obtained the Oxford English Dictionary CD-Rom for the purpose of understanding the Douay-Rheims. It is a good investment. It gives examples of how words are used sometimes all the way down to the dark ages. It has a big showing of archaic words. I believe that you would learn from it. But as of now, I do not have it with me.
 
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