DEFINITION OF TERMS - WEAKNESS (ASTHENEIA)

Word Information

Word: Astheneia (Gk)
English: weakness
ἀσθένεια – astheneia – weakness

Source: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon of the New Testament
Author: Joseph H. Thayer

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses (astheneia), but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -yet he did not sin." Hebrews 4:15

Definition:

disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness.
feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty –disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness.

As humans in mortal bodies, we are subject to weakness. Yet, God’s grace empowers us to live and do brings our natural abilities.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Philippians 2:12-13

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed -not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence -continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

All great people of faith are weak men and women who drew strength from the all-powerful God.

Hebrews 11:32-34

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

As believers, we look forward to the day when all our weakness will be swallowed by God’s strength.

1 Corinthians 15:42-44

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.