Topical Encyclopedia
The term "feebly" is often used to describe actions or conditions characterized by a lack of strength, vigor, or effectiveness. In the context of the Bible, it can refer to both physical weakness and spiritual or moral frailty. The concept of feebleness is addressed in various passages, highlighting human limitations and the need for divine strength.
Physical WeaknessIn the Scriptures, physical feebleness is a common human condition, often associated with age, illness, or exhaustion. The Bible acknowledges the reality of human frailty and the inevitable decline of physical strength. For instance, in
Ecclesiastes 12:3, the aging process is poetically described: "On the day the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when those grinding cease because they are few, and those watching through the windows see dimly." This passage illustrates the weakening of the body as a natural part of life.
Spiritual and Moral FrailtyBeyond physical weakness, the Bible also addresses spiritual and moral feebleness. This form of weakness is often linked to a lack of faith, courage, or resolve in the face of temptation or adversity. In the New Testament, Jesus admonishes His disciples for their lack of faith, which can be seen as a form of spiritual feebleness. In
Matthew 26:41, He warns them, "Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
Divine Strength in Human WeaknessThe Bible consistently emphasizes that human feebleness is an opportunity for God's power to be made manifest. The Apostle Paul speaks to this in
2 Corinthians 12:9-10, where he recounts the Lord's words to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." Paul concludes, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me." This passage underscores the Christian belief that God's strength is most evident when human strength fails.
Encouragement for the FeebleScripture offers encouragement and hope for those who feel feeble, whether physically or spiritually.
Isaiah 35:3-4 provides a message of comfort: "Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees. Say to those with anxious hearts: 'Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.'" This prophetic assurance highlights God's promise to support and deliver His people.
The Role of the CommunityThe Bible also calls on the community of believers to support those who are feeble. In
1 Thessalonians 5:14, Paul instructs the church: "And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone." This directive emphasizes the importance of mutual support and encouragement within the body of Christ.
In summary, the concept of feebleness in the Bible serves as a reminder of human limitations and the need for reliance on God's strength. It calls believers to support one another and to find hope in the promise of divine assistance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) In a feeble manner.
Library
The Jews Expound These Signs Jejunely andFeebly, and Take up...
... Chapter CXII."The Jews expound these signs jejunely andfeebly, and take
up their attention only with insignificant matters. "But...
Prayer and Character and Conduct
... body, as well. Bad living means bad praying and, in the end, no praying at
all. We prayfeebly because we livefeebly. The stream of...
It was a Clear Morning and the Tenth Day Before the Kalends of...
... Herod closed his eyes and mutteredfeebly.... The king opened his eyes and piped,
feebly: "Help me; help me to win the favor of my people!...
Elucidations.
... 5. From Nicholas I.((who died ad867) the Latin churches recognised this Papacy more
or less; the Gallicans resisting, thoughfeebly, by asserting their...
Letter xv. --Perfect Detachment.
... It is indeed a small matter for one who has before his eyes an eternal kingdom.
But I suffer all this destitution so imperfectly, sofeebly!...
The Suffering of Love.
... conflict with unholiness. For real love is also real hatred. He that loves
feebly or falsely can not hate energetically. But if ardent...
Thirst and Satisfaction
... So, if we fritter away and divide up our desires among all the clamant and partial
blessings of earth, then we shall butfeebly long, andfeebly longing, shall...
I Look Upon all the Four Gospels as Thoroughly Genuine...
... Bad living makes bad praying. We prayfeebly because we livefeebly. The stream
of praying cannot rise higher than the fountain of living....
Answers to Prayer
... all that medical help could do, the shock brought on a severe sickness, and when,
after eight weeks, she left her bed to move aroundfeebly, she had almost...
The Fourth Beatitude
... we have to be content to take the place of recipients, and to accept, not to work
out for ourselves, this righteousness for which, more or lessfeebly, and all...
Thesaurus
Feebly (3 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a feeble manner. Multi-Version Concordance
Feebly (3 Occurrences). Matthew 12:20 The crushed
...Stem (18 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 12:20 The crushed stem will not be broken by him; and thefeebly
burning light will he not put out, till he has made righteousness overcome all....
Overcome (300 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:20 The crushed stem will not be broken by him; and thefeebly burning
light will he not put out, till he has made righteousness overcome all. (BBE)....
Feeblest (1 Occurrence)
Faint (76 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl.) Lacking distinctness; hardly perceptible; striking the sensesfeebly;
not bright, or loud, or sharp, or forcible; weak; as, a faint color, or sound...
Reinforcements (1 Occurrence)
... 43:17 Who sends out the war-carriages and the horses, the army with all its force;
they have come down, they will not get up again; like afeebly burning light...
Extinguish (6 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 42:3 He will not let a crushed stem be quite broken, and he will not let
afeebly burning light be put out: he will go on sending out the true word to...
Broken (559 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Matthew 12:20 The crushed stem will not be broken by him; and thefeebly
burning light will he not put out, till he has made righteousness overcome all....
Creep (8 Occurrences)
... and knees; to crawl. 2. (vt) To move slowly,feebly, or timorously, as
from unwillingness, fear, or weakness. 3. (vt) To move in...
Cold (25 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) Affecting the sense of smell (as of hunting dogs) butfeebly; having lost
its odor; as, a cold scent. 8. (n.) Not sensitive; not acute....
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