Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:In the biblical context, "being strong" often refers to spiritual, moral, and physical strength. It is a quality encouraged and exemplified throughout Scripture, emphasizing reliance on God, courage in the face of adversity, and steadfastness in faith.
Old Testament References:The concept of strength is frequently addressed in the Old Testament, where it is often linked to God's power and presence. In
Joshua 1:9 , God commands Joshua, "Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." This verse highlights the connection between strength and divine support.
In the Psalms, strength is a recurring theme.
Psalm 27:1 declares, "The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?" Here, strength is portrayed as a result of God's protection and salvation.
New Testament References:The New Testament continues to emphasize the importance of strength, particularly in the context of spiritual warfare and perseverance.
Ephesians 6:10 instructs believers, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." This passage introduces the Armor of God, underscoring the necessity of divine strength in spiritual battles.
Philippians 4:13 is another key verse: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." This statement by the Apostle Paul reflects the belief that true strength comes from Christ, enabling believers to endure and overcome challenges.
Spiritual Strength:Spiritual strength is a central theme in the Bible, often associated with faith, prayer, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 40:31 promises, "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint." This verse illustrates the renewal of strength through trust in God.
Moral and Ethical Strength:The Bible also speaks to moral and ethical strength, encouraging believers to stand firm in their convictions.
1 Corinthians 16:13 advises, "Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong." This exhortation calls for vigilance and steadfastness in maintaining Christian values.
Physical Strength:While spiritual and moral strength are emphasized, physical strength is also acknowledged as a gift from God. Samson's account in
Judges 13-16 exemplifies physical strength granted by God for a specific purpose. However, it also serves as a cautionary tale about the misuse of such strength.
Dependence on God:Ultimately, the Bible teaches that true strength is found in dependence on God.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 records Paul's revelation: "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me." This passage highlights the paradox that strength is made perfect in weakness, as it leads to reliance on God's power.
Conclusion:The biblical concept of being strong encompasses spiritual, moral, and physical dimensions, all rooted in a deep reliance on God. Through faith, prayer, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, believers are called to embody strength in their daily lives, standing firm in their convictions and trusting in God's unfailing support.
Topical Bible Verses
Ephesians 6:1-10Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Topicalbible.orgRomans 15:1
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Topicalbible.org
Psalm 18:17
He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
Topicalbible.org
Greek
1765. enischuo -- to strengthen... 1765 (from 1722 "in," which intensifies 2480 , "engaging, assaulting strength")
-- properly,
being strong enough to face (). [In
...1096. ginomai -- to come intobeing, to happen, to become
... A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate),
ie (reflexively) to become (come intobeing), used with...Strong's Numbers.
2480. ischuo -- to bestrong, have power
... pray for the benefit of one another, for the purpose ofbeing supernaturally healed...
Word Origin from ischus Definition to bestrong, have power NASB Word Usage...
666. apousia -- abeing away, ie absence
... absence. From the participle of apeimi; abeing away -- absence. see GREEK apeimi.
(apousia) -- 1 Occurrence. 665, 666. apousia. 667 .Strong's Numbers.
2070. esmen -- are, be, have ourbeing, have hope.
... be, have ourbeing, X have hope, + (the gospel) was (preached unto) us. see GREEK
eimi. (esmen) -- 52 Occurrences. 2069, 2070. esmen. 2071 .Strong's Numbers
5297. hupophero -- to bear bybeing under, to endure
... Word Origin from hupo and phero Definition to bear bybeing under, to endure NASB
Word Usage bears up under (1), endure (1), endured (1)....Strong's Numbers.
551. apeirastos -- untried, untempted
... [551 () is also used in ancient secular Greek meaning "incapable ofbeing tempted" ().
Theologians connect this to the " of God."]....Strong's Numbers.
139. hairesis -- choice, opinion
... astrong, distinctive opinion") is used in the NT of individual "parties (sects)"
that operated within Judaism. The term stresses the -- and hence howbeing a...
563. aperispastos -- without distraction
... 563 () occurs only in 1 Cor 7:35 where it refers to having (being completely ).
[Note the force of the prefix (575 ).... aperispastos. 564 .Strong's Numbers.
1553. ekdemeo -- to be away from home, absent
... 1553 ("being absent") portrays believers who are still alive asbeing "away from
home" (heaven), ie because still living in a , body (2 Cor 5:6...Strong's Numbers.
Strong's Hebrew
5315. nephesh -- a soul, livingbeing, life, self, person, desire...... feelings (1), fierce* (2), greedy* (1), heart (5), heart's (2), herself (12), Himself
(4), himself (19), human (1), human
being (1), hunger (1
...Strong's Numbers.
7946. shalanan --being at ease
... Word Origin the same as shaanan, qv.being at ease For sha'anan; tranquil --being
at ease. see HEBREW sha'anan. 7945, 7946. shalanan. 7947 .Strong's Numbers
4142. musabbah --being changed, enclosed, be set, turning
... door), transmutation (of a name) --being changed, inclosed, be set, turning. see
HEBREW muwcab. 4141, 4142. musabbah or musabbah. 4143 .Strong's Numbers.
3426. yesh --being, substance, existence, is
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definitionbeing, substance, existence, is NASB
Word Usage any (1), Gaddi (1), going (1), had (1), has (4...Strong's Numbers.
193. uwl -- the body, belly
... From an unused root meaning to twist, ie (by implication) bestrong; the body (as
being rolled together); also powerful -- mighty, strength. 192, 193....
2910. tuchah -- inward parts
... asbeing covered); hence (figuratively) the inmost thought -- inward parts. see
HEBREW tachah. see HEBREW tuwach. 2909, 2910. tuchah. 2911 .Strong's Numbers
1961. hayah -- to fall out, come to pass, become, be
... been done (2), befall (1), befallen (2),being (7), belong (9), belonged (4), belongs
(2), brought (1), came (358), came intobeing (1), came...Strong's Numbers.
4672. matsa -- to attain to, find
... Appear or exist; transitively, to attain, ie Find or acquire; figuratively, to occur,
meet or be present -- + be able, befall,being, catch, X...Strong's Numbers.
1564. golem -- an embryo
... From galam; a wrapped (and unformed mass, ie As the embryo) -- substance yetbeing
unperfect. see HEBREW galam. 1563, 1564. golem. 1565 .Strong's Numbers.
4427a. malak -- to be or become king or queen, to reign
... 1), appointed (1), became king (123), become a king (1), become king (1), become
king (2), becomes king (1),being king (1),being king (1...Strong's Numbers.
Library
Introductory.
... It also greatly disturbed the internal unity of the Church, and that in a manner
peculiarly prejudicial to its well-being.Strong doctrinal and ecclesiastical...
Here we Might Leave the Subject, but we Cannot Forbear Adding Some...
... It is, we may add, not a little worthy ofbeing remarked that the nomenclature of
the Bible has obtained such astrong hold on the public mind, in our own day...
Strong Faith in a Faithful God
... The dragon isbeing trodden down under foot.... They are verystrong, those young
lions. They are fierce. They are rapacious. They are cunning....
Strength and Indwelling.
... primarily and perhaps almost exclusively God's love to us, as that in which we are
to "live, and move, and have ourbeing.". (4) "May bestrong to apprehend...
Strong Souls.
... They cannot take life with dull acquiescence,being neither keenly glad nor greatly
sorry... So is it with hisstrong and eager disciples: they lay their breast...
Refutation of the Gentiles --Continued
... nothing? If they call Him a magician, how is it that by a magician all
magic is destroyed, instead ofbeing renderedstrong? Had...
Justice and the Reason of Effects
... declared that it is she herself who is just. And thus,being unable to make
what is juststrong, we have made what isstrong just. 299....
We May Commence Our Inquiry into the Subject by Noticing...
... kinds of knowledge in the manner under consideration; and, if this be so, there
is astrong presumption against a knowledge of the Deitybeing obtained in this...
Out of the Deep of Loneliness, Failure, and Disappointment.
... We need not the sunny and smiling face, but thestrong helping arm.... We may be miserable,
and unable to helpbeing miserable, and unwilling to help it too....
A Paradox
... Let us take heed unto ourselves, that we fall not throughbeing headstrong,
orstrong in the head, which is much the same thing....
Resources
In what ways is being a Christian difficult? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about being a good student? | GotQuestions.orgIs being drunk in the Spirit a biblical experience? | GotQuestions.orgBeing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
