The Greek adjective oligos means few, little, or small — whether in number, quantity, or degree. It is used of few people, little time, small faith, or brief duration. The contrast with polys (many/much) appears frequently throughout the New Testament.
Oligos (few/little) appears in some of the most theologically charged passages in the NT. "Few (oligoi) are chosen" (Matthew 22:14) emphasizes the narrowness of the path to life — not exclusivity as divine favoritism but the resistance of the human heart. "O you of little (oligos) faith" (Matthew 8:26) characterizes disciples who have genuine but undeveloped faith. The theology of oligos is ultimately about God's power to do much with little: a little leaven leavens the whole lump; a little seed becomes a great tree; a little faith can move mountains.