The concept of "weakens" in the Bible often refers to the diminishing of strength, power, or resolve, whether physically, spiritually, or morally. This theme is prevalent throughout Scripture, illustrating the human condition and the need for divine strength and guidance.

Physical Weakness

Physical weakness is a common human experience, often used in the Bible to highlight human frailty and dependence on God. In Isaiah 40:29, it is written, "He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak." This verse underscores the belief that God is the source of strength for those who are physically weakened, emphasizing His role as a sustainer.

Spiritual Weakness

Spiritual weakness is a significant theme in the Bible, often associated with a lack of faith or moral failure. In Matthew 26:41, Jesus warns His disciples, "Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak." This passage highlights the tension between human intentions and the frailty of human nature, urging believers to remain vigilant and prayerful to overcome spiritual weakness.

Moral Weakness

Moral weakness is depicted in the Bible as a susceptibility to sin and temptation. The Apostle Paul addresses this in Romans 7:19, where he writes, "For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do." This struggle illustrates the internal battle between the desire to follow God's commandments and the weakness of the flesh.

Divine Strength in Weakness

The Bible frequently contrasts human weakness with divine strength, offering hope and encouragement to believers. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul recounts God's assurance to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." This statement reveals the paradox that God's power is most evident when human strength is lacking, encouraging believers to rely on His grace.

Examples of Weakness in Biblical Figures

Several biblical figures exemplify the theme of weakness. Gideon, for instance, initially perceives himself as weak and inadequate for the task God assigns him (Judges 6:15). Yet, through God's empowerment, he leads Israel to victory. Similarly, Moses expresses his own inadequacies and fears when called to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 4:10). Despite his perceived weaknesses, God uses Moses mightily, demonstrating that divine strength can overcome human limitations.

The Role of Weakness in Christian Life

In the Christian life, acknowledging one's weaknesses is seen as a pathway to spiritual growth and reliance on God. James 4:10 advises, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." This humility involves recognizing one's limitations and seeking God's strength to overcome them.

Conclusion

The theme of weakness in the Bible serves as a reminder of human limitations and the necessity of divine intervention. Through physical, spiritual, and moral challenges, believers are encouraged to seek God's strength, trusting that His power is made perfect in their weakness.3119. malakia -- softness, weakness
... weakness, illness, sickness. 3119 (from 3120 , "soft") -- a disease or
condition that weakens ("softens") the victim. 3119 () is an ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3119.htm - 6k

2873. kopos -- laborious toil
... 2873 (from 2875 , "to hit, strike") -- properly, a strike (blow) that is so hard,
it seriously weakens or debilitates; (figuratively) , extreme (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2873.htm - 7k

Whether Sorrow or Pain Weakens all Activity?
... OF THE EFFECTS OF PAIN OR SORROW (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether sorrow or pain weakens
all activity? Objection 1: It would seem that sorrow ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sorrow or pain weakens.htm

With the Circus
... "(b) It paralyzes the blood vessels. "(c) It weakens the various lung tissues. ...
"(e) It weakens and destroys the usefulness of this organ of digestion.". ...
/.../byrum/how john became a man/chapter viii with the circus.htm

The Consequences of Sin.
... In the first place, every sin weakens the soul. ... Just as a wound weakens you by the
loss of blood, so a sin weakens you by loss of resisting power. ...
/.../xlvii the consequences of sin.htm

Tobacco.
... man." Dr. H. Gibbons says: "Tobacco impairs digestion, poisons the blood, depresses
the vital powers, causes the limbs to tremble, and weakens and otherwise ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/i tobacco.htm

No Minister Ought to Keep a Faithful Person from the Communion ...
... St. Ignatius, Bishop and Martyr, (Epist. ad Eph.) exhorts that we often come and
receive the Eucharist; because the frequency of it weakens the power of Satan. ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap i no minister ought.htm

Psalm XCI.
... us be willing....If you consider other birds, brethren, you will find many that
hatch their eggs, and keep their young warm: but none that weakens herself in ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xci.htm

The Carrion and the Vultures
... It is not becoming to make such a solemn message the opportunity for pictorial
rhetoric, which vulgarises its greatness and weakens its power. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the carrion and the vultures.htm

Fenelon -- the Saints Converse with God
... prejudices prevent us from profiting, as we might, by what we hear from men; and
tho they announce the most serious truths, yet what they do weakens the effect ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/fenelon the saints converse.htm

The Study of Words
... In like manner, translucent and flashy elocution weakens the things it clothes.
I would, therefore, recommend care about words, but solicitude about things. ...
/.../kleiser/the training of a public speaker/the study of words.htm

The Fourth Season,
... from which I would persuade you to keep your heart; that tyrannical passion which
invades the heart in times of danger, distracts, weakens and unfits it for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iv the fourth season.htm

Weakens (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Weakens (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 38:4 Then the
princes said to the king, Let this man, we pray you, be ...
/w/weakens.htm - 6k

Weakening (2 Occurrences)

/w/weakening.htm - 7k

Weakener (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who, or that which, weakens. Multi-Version
Concordance Weakener (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 14:12 How ...
/w/weakener.htm - 6k

Weaken (5 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 38:4 Then the princes said to the king, Let this man, we pray you, be put
to death; because he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this ...
/w/weaken.htm - 8k

Weaker (4 Occurrences)

/w/weaker.htm - 7k

Immaculate
... apostolic origin (see Catholic Dictionary, sub loc.). (b) It Weakens the
Authority of the Church. It would almost seem as if the ...
/i/immaculate.htm - 16k

Falcon (2 Occurrences)
... for "vulture" in the King James Version. The change weakens the force of
the lines. All ornithologists know that eagles, vultures ...
/f/falcon.htm - 8k

Discouraging (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 38:4 Then the princes said to the king, Let this man, we pray you, be put
to death; because he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this ...
/d/discouraging.htm - 7k

Pure (160 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl.) Free from that which harms, vitiates, weakens, or pollutes;
genuine; real; perfect; -- applied to things and actions. ...
/p/pure.htm - 39k

Conception (6 Occurrences)
... apostolic origin (see Catholic Dictionary, sub loc.). (b) It Weakens the
Authority of the Church. It would almost seem as if the ...
/c/conception.htm - 19k

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