Original Word: ἀσθένεια
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: astheneia
Pronunciation: as-then'-i-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (as-then'-i-ah)
Definition: Weakness, infirmity, sickness
Meaning: want of strength, weakness, illness, suffering, calamity, frailty.

disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness.

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

see GREEK asthenes

Cognate: 769 asthéneia – properly, without strength (negating the root sthenos, "strength"). See 772 (asthenēs).

769 /asthéneia ("weakness, sickness") refers to an ailment that deprives someone of enjoying or accomplishing what they would like to do. 769 (asthéneia) focuses on the handicaps that go with the weakness.

[769 (asthéneia) expresses the weakening influences of the illness or a particular problem, especially as someone becomes wrongly (overly) dependent.]

Word Origin
from asthenés
Definition
weakness, frailty
NASB Translation
ailments (1), diseases (1), ill (1), illness (1), infirmities (1), sickness (3), sicknesses (2), weak (1), weakness (9), weaknesses (4).

STRONGS NT 769: ἀσθένεια

ἀσθένεια, ἀσθενείας, ἡ (ἀσθενής) (from Herodotus down), want of strength, weakness, infirmity;

a. of Body; α. its native weakness and frailty: 1 Corinthians 15:43; 2 Corinthians 13:4. β. feebleness of health; sickness: John 5:5; John 11:4; Luke 13:11, 12; Galatians 4:13 (ἀσθένεια τῆς σαρκός); Hebrews 11:34; in plural: Matthew 8:17; Luke 5:15; Luke 8:2; Acts 28:9; 1 Timothy 5:23.

b. of Soul; want of the strength and capacity requisite α. to understand a thing: Romans 6:19 (where ἀσθένειαν τῆς σαρκός denotes the weakness of human nature). β. to do things great and glorious, as want of human wisdom, of skill in speaking, in the management of men: 1 Corinthians 2:3. γ. to restrain corrupt desires; proclivity to sin: Hebrews 5:2; Hebrews 7:28; plural the various kinds of this proclivity, Hebrews 4:15. δ. to bear trials and troubles: Romans 8:26 (where read τῇ ἀσθένεια for Rec. ταῖς ἀσθενείαις); 2 Corinthians 11:30; 2 Corinthians 12:9; plural the mental (?) states in which this weakness manifests itself: 2 Corinthians 12:5, 9f.

Word Origin: Derived from ἀσθενής (asthenēs), meaning "without strength" or "weak."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with the concept of weakness or infirmity is חֳלִי (choli, Strong's Hebrew 2483), which refers to sickness or disease. Another related term is תַּחֲלֻאִים (tachalu'im, Strong's Hebrew 8463), which also denotes sickness or affliction. These terms similarly convey the idea of human frailty and the need for divine intervention.

Usage: In the New Testament, ἀσθένεια is used to describe various forms of weakness, including physical illness, moral frailty, and spiritual incapacity. It appears in contexts that highlight human limitations and the need for divine strength.

Context: The Greek term ἀσθένεια is frequently encountered in the New Testament, where it is used to describe the human condition of weakness in various dimensions. This term underscores the inherent limitations of human beings, whether due to physical ailments, moral shortcomings, or spiritual deficiencies.

In the Gospels, ἀσθένεια often refers to physical sickness or disease, as seen in accounts of Jesus healing the sick. For example, in Matthew 8:17, it is written, "He Himself took our infirmities and carried our diseases." Here, ἀσθένεια is associated with the physical ailments that Jesus healed, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah.

The Apostle Paul frequently uses ἀσθένεια to describe moral and spiritual weakness. In Romans 8:26, Paul writes, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness." This passage highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in assisting believers who are weak in their ability to pray or understand God's will.

Additionally, ἀσθένεια is used to emphasize the contrast between human frailty and divine power. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul recounts the Lord's words to him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness." Here, ἀσθένεια is portrayed as an opportunity for God's power to be demonstrated in the life of a believer.

The concept of ἀσθένεια serves as a reminder of the need for reliance on God's strength and grace. It calls believers to acknowledge their limitations and to seek divine assistance in overcoming both physical and spiritual challenges.

ασθενεια ασθενεία ασθένεια ἀσθενείᾳ ἀσθένεια ασθένειαι ασθενειαις ασθενείαις ἀσθενείαις ασθενειαν ασθένειαν ἀσθένειαν ασθενειας ασθενείας ἀσθενείας ασθενειων ασθενειών ἀσθενειῶν astheneia asthéneia astheneíāi astheneiais astheneíais astheneian asthéneian astheneias astheneías astheneion astheneiôn astheneiōn astheneiō̂nInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts