Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, "weakness" can refer to physical, spiritual, or moral frailty. It is a condition that affects all of humanity due to the fallen nature of the world and the inherent limitations of human beings. The Bible addresses weakness in various ways, offering both a realistic portrayal of human frailty and a hopeful message of divine strength and grace.
Physical WeaknessPhysical weakness is a common human experience, often depicted in the Bible as a result of illness, age, or exhaustion. The Apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, speaks of a "thorn in the flesh" (
2 Corinthians 12:7), which many scholars interpret as a physical ailment or limitation. Despite this weakness, Paul emphasizes that God's power is made perfect in weakness, stating, "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness'" (
2 Corinthians 12:9).
Spiritual WeaknessSpiritual weakness refers to the struggle against sin and the inability to live up to God's standards without divine assistance. The Bible acknowledges that all humans are spiritually weak and in need of God's strength. In
Romans 8:26, Paul writes, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words" . This passage highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in supporting believers in their spiritual frailty.
Moral WeaknessMoral weakness is the susceptibility to temptation and sin. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who succumbed to moral weakness, such as King David in his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). However, Scripture also offers hope for overcoming moral weakness through repentance and reliance on God's strength. In
1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul assures believers, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it" .
Divine Strength in WeaknessThe Bible consistently teaches that human weakness is an opportunity for God's power to be displayed. In
Isaiah 40:29, it is written, "He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak" . This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing that reliance on God is the key to overcoming human limitations. The Apostle Paul, in his own experience of weakness, declares, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me" (
2 Corinthians 12:9).
Christ's ExampleJesus Christ, though fully divine, experienced human weakness during His earthly ministry. He faced hunger, fatigue, and ultimately, the suffering of the cross. Yet, through His weakness, He accomplished the greatest act of strength—overcoming sin and death.
Hebrews 4:15 states, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin" . Christ's example provides believers with a model of how to endure and triumph over weakness through faith and obedience.
ConclusionThe biblical perspective on weakness is multifaceted, acknowledging the reality of human frailty while pointing to the sufficiency of God's grace and strength. Believers are encouraged to embrace their weaknesses as opportunities for God's power to be revealed, trusting in His provision and guidance in all circumstances.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The quality or state of being weak; want of strength or firmness; lack of vigor; want of resolution or of moral strength; feebleness.
2. (n.) That which is a mark of lack of strength or resolution; a fault; a defect.
Greek
769. astheneia --weakness, frailty...weakness, frailty. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: astheneia Phonetic
Spelling: (as-then'-i-ah) Short Definition: want of strength,
weakness...3119. malakia -- softness,weakness
... softness,weakness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: malakia Phonetic
Spelling: (mal-ak-ee'-ah) Short Definition:weakness, illness Definition...
771. asthenema -- an infirmity
... an infirmity. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: asthenema Phonetic Spelling:
(as-then'-ay-mah) Short Definition:weakness, infirmity Definition...
1133. gunaikarion -- a little woman, (contemptuously) a silly...
... gunaikarion Phonetic Spelling: (goo-nahee-kar'-ee-on) Short Definition: a woman,
a poor weak woman Definition: a woman, with all a woman'sweakness, a poor...
772. asthenes -- without strength, weak
... sthenes (strong) Definition without strength, weak NASB Word Usage helpless (1),
sick (6), unimpressive (1), weak (12), weak things (1), weaker (1),weakness (2...
Strong's Hebrew
4816. morek --weakness... 4815, 4816. morek. 4817 .
weakness. Transliteration: morek Phonetic
Spelling: (mo'-rek) Short Definition:
weakness. Word Origin
...2476. chalushah --weakness, prostration
... 2475, 2476. chalushah. 2477 .weakness, prostration. Transliteration: chalushah
Phonetic Spelling: (khal-oo-shaw') Short Definition: defeat. Word Origin fem...
3782. kashal -- to stumble, stagger, totter
... A primitive root; to totter or waver (throughweakness of the legs, especially the
ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall -- bereave (from...
2974. yaal -- to show willingness, be pleased, determine...
... A primitive root (probably rather the same as ya'al through the idea of mental
weakness); properly, to yield, especially assent; hence (pos.) To undertake as...
648. aphil -- late
... not grown up. From the same as 'aphel (in the sense ofweakness); unripe -- not
grown up. see HEBREW 'aphel. 647b, 648. aphil. 649 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
From Strength toWeakness
... From Strength toWeakness. "Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory
in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his...
On theWeakness of Free Will.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter X. On theweakness of free will.
For Holy Scripture supports the freedom of the will where...
Although theWeakness of the Flesh Cannot Prevail against the...
... Fifth Head of Doctrine Article 4 Although theweakness of the flesh cannot
prevail against the power of God? Although theweakness...
The Final Conflict and Heaven inWeakness and Distress of Mind.
... The Final Conflict and Heaven InWeakness and Distress of Mind. VI. InWeakness
and Distress of Mind. 8,8,8,8. Herr Jesu Christ mein Lebens Licht....
Penitence theWeakness and Restlessness of Sin.
... Penitence TheWeakness and Restlessness of Sin. IV. TheWeakness and Restlessness
of Sin. 8,8,8,8. O Jesu K??nig hoch zu ehren. [274]Tersteegen.1731....
Of theWeakness of Man.
... Chap. IV."Of theWeakness of Man. They also complain that man is liable
to diseases, and to untimely death. They are indignant...
The Twentieth Chapter: Confessing OurWeakness in the Miseries of...
... BOOK THREE. INTERNAL CONSOLATION The Twentieth Chapter: Confessing OurWeakness
in the Miseries of Life. The Disciple I WILL bring...
Weakness of the Pleas Urged in Defence of Second Marriage.
... Chapter XVI."Weakness of the Pleas Urged in Defence of Second Marriage.
But I smile when (the plea of) "infirmity of the flesh...
Of thisWeakness of His, He Saith in Another Place...
... Section 13. Of thisweakness of his, he saith in another place? 13. Of
thisweakness of his, he saith in another place, "We made...
WhetherWeakness, Ignorance, Malice and Concupiscence are Suitably...
... OF THE EFFECTS OF SIN, AND, FIRST, OF THE CORRUPTION OF THE GOOD OF NATURE (SIX
ARTICLES) Whetherweakness, ignorance, malice and concupiscence are suitably...
Thesaurus
Weakness (25 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) That which is a mark of lack of strength or resolution; a fault; a
defect. Multi-Version Concordance
Weakness (25 Occurrences).
...Bodily (17 Occurrences)
... whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the glad tidings of
the kingdom, and healing every disease and every bodilyweakness among the...
Weaknesses (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 12:9 He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power
is made perfect inweakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in...
Weak (102 Occurrences)
... Romans 6:19 I speak in human terms because of theweakness of your flesh, for as
you presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to wickedness upon...
Anthropology
... Delitzsch maintains, that 'ish points to a root 'osh "to be strong," and 'ishshah
to 'anash, as designating woman in herweakness (compare 1 Peter 3:7: "the...
Polygamy
... POLYGAMY. po-lig'-a-mi: 1. Meaning of the Term 2. Origin of Polygamy 3. The Old
Testament and Polygamy 4. Polygamy Unnatural The Eunuch 5.Weakness of Polygamy...
Deal (170 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Corinthians 13:4 For though it is true that He was crucified through
weakness, yet He now lives through the power of God....
Glad (421 Occurrences)
... whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the glad tidings of
the kingdom, and healing every disease and every bodilyweakness among the...
Frailty (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A physical, mental, or moralweakness; liableness to be broken or deceived.
2. (n.) A fault proceeding fromweakness; foible; sin of infirmity....
Perfected (25 Occurrences)
... judgment. (WEB ASV YLT). 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said to me, My grace
suffices thee; for my power is perfected inweakness. Most...
Resources
What was the reason behind Peter's denial of Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be strong in the Lord in Ephesians 6:10? | GotQuestions.orgWeakness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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