Fragile
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The term "fragile" is not directly used in the Bible; however, the concept of fragility is woven throughout Scripture, often illustrating the delicate nature of human life, faith, and the created world. The Bible frequently uses metaphors and narratives to convey the idea of fragility, emphasizing the need for reliance on God’s strength and wisdom.

Human Life and Fragility

The Bible often compares human life to fragile elements, underscoring its temporary and delicate nature. In Psalm 103:15-16 , it is written, "As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more." This imagery highlights the transient and fragile nature of human existence, reminding believers of their dependence on God, who is eternal and unchanging.

Similarly, in James 4:14 , the brevity and uncertainty of life are emphasized: "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." This passage calls Christians to live with humility and awareness of their limitations, trusting in God's sovereign plan.

Faith and Fragility

The fragility of faith is another theme present in Scripture. Jesus often addressed the disciples' fragile faith, encouraging them to trust in Him despite their doubts and fears. In Matthew 14:31 , after Peter begins to sink while walking on water, Jesus says, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" This moment illustrates the fragility of human faith when it is not firmly anchored in Christ.

The Apostle Paul also speaks to the fragility of faith in 2 Corinthians 4:7 , where he writes, "Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us." Here, the "jars of clay" symbolize human weakness and fragility, while the "treasure" represents the Gospel and the power of God working through believers.

Creation and Fragility

The created world is depicted as fragile and subject to decay, a result of the fall and sin entering the world. Romans 8:20-21 states, "For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God." This passage acknowledges the current state of creation's fragility while pointing to the hope of future restoration through Christ.

God’s Strength in Human Fragility

Despite the fragility of human life, faith, and creation, the Bible consistently points to God's strength and sufficiency. In Isaiah 40:29-31 , it is declared, "He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint." This promise reassures believers that God provides strength and endurance, even in their most fragile moments.

The concept of fragility in the Bible serves as a reminder of human limitations and the necessity of relying on God's eternal power and grace. Through acknowledging their own fragility, believers are encouraged to seek refuge in the Lord, who is their strength and sustainer.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(a.) Easily broken; brittle; frail; delicate; easily destroyed.
Strong's Hebrew
6962b. qot -- perhaps break, snap
... perhaps break, snap. Transliteration: qot Short Definition: fragile. Word Origin
a prim. root Definition perhaps break, snap NASB Word Usage fragile (1). ...
/hebrew/6962b.htm - 5k

8406. tebar -- to break
... Thebez. (Aramaic) corresponding to shabar; to be fragile (figuratively) -- broken.
see HEBREW shabar. 8405, 8406. tebar. 8407 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8406.htm - 6k

Library

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xii. 56, 58, "Ye Know How to ...
... We walk in the midst of chances. If we were made of glass, we should have to fear
chances less than we have. What is more fragile than a vessel of glass? ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lix on the words.htm

Of the Condition of the Beasts and Man.
... and the bond of affection. Why should I say that the offspring of birds
is much more fragile than that of man? Inasmuch as they do ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap iii of the condition of.htm

Impressive Phrases
... fiction, fancy, falsehood, and fabrication. fine, fragile, delicate, and dainty.
firmness ... successful. fragile, frail, brittle, and delicate. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

Humility.
... then the great image, golden head, and silver breast, and brazen body, and iron
legs, would all go to pieces"they rested on an infirm footing, fragile clay. ...
/.../baring-gould/the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/liv humility.htm

The Use of Philosophy to the Gnostic.
... But it flourishes the more. For it dies not, as human doctrine dies, nor
fades as a fragile gift. For no gift of God is fragile. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xviii the use of philosophy.htm

Wagner -- I am a Voice
... echo of a soul. It is doubtless that most fragile thing, a breath, but joined
to that which is most durable, spirit. And it is for ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/wagner i am a.htm

The True Vine: Meditations for a Month on John 15:1-16
... "I am the vine, ye are the branches." -- John 15.5. "Tis only a little Branch,.
A thing so fragile and weak,. But that little Branch hath a message true. ...
/.../murray/the true vine meditations for a month on john 151-16/title page.htm

He Maketh Me to Lie Down in Pastures of Tender Grass; He Leadeth ...
... delivered us from the wrath that frowned upon us. But we are weak and fragile
mortals. With respect to things of the higher life ...
//christianbookshelf.org/callan/the shepherd of my soul/iv he maketh me to.htm

The Conflict with Evil
... we see the possibility of fatal temptations. We know how fragile our power
of resistance is. "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter x the conflict with.htm

Soul-Rest.
... depth knows no ripple. It is said that down there the most fragile of frail
and delicate organisms grow in safety. In the depths ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter viii soul-rest.htm

Thesaurus
Fragile (3 Occurrences)
...Fragile (3 Occurrences). ... Daniel 2:42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron
and part of clay, the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile. ...
/f/fragile.htm - 7k

Fragment (1 Occurrence)

/f/fragment.htm - 8k

Vase (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in a fragile vase of clay, in order
that the surpassing greatness of the power may be seen to belong to God, and ...
/v/vase.htm - 8k

Originate (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in a fragile vase of clay, in order
that the surpassing greatness of the power may be seen to belong to God, and ...
/o/originate.htm - 8k

Frail (6 Occurrences)
... 4. (superl) Easily broken; fragile; not firm or durable; liable to fail and perish;
easily destroyed; not tenacious of life; weak; infirm. 5. (superl) Tender. ...
/f/frail.htm - 8k

Fractures (1 Occurrence)

/f/fractures.htm - 6k

Papyrus (4 Occurrences)
... Book of the Dead). Egyptian documents of great historical value have been
preserved on these fragile rolls. The Papyrus Ebers of ...
/p/papyrus.htm - 34k

Brittle (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Easily broken; fragile; apt to break; not tough
or tenacious. Multi-Version Concordance Brittle (1 Occurrence). ...
/b/brittle.htm - 6k

Belongs (127 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in a fragile vase of clay, in order
that the surpassing greatness of the power may be seen to belong to God, and ...
/b/belongs.htm - 35k

Cane (11 Occurrences)
... In 2 Kings 18:21; Isaiah 36:6; Ezek. 29:6, 7, the reference is to the weak, fragile
nature of the reed. (see CALAMUS.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/c/cane.htm - 11k

Resources
Why did God make man out of the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7)? | GotQuestions.org

Why does God allow people to be disabled / handicapped? | GotQuestions.org

What was the significance of weaning a child in the Bible (Genesis 21:8)? | GotQuestions.org

Fragile: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Fragile (3 Occurrences)

2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in a fragile vase of clay, in order that the surpassing greatness of the power may be seen to belong to God, and not to originate in us.
(WEY)

Job 8:14
Whose confidence shall break apart, Whose trust is a spider's web.
(See NAS NIV)

Daniel 2:42
And as the toes of the feet were part of iron and part of clay, the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly fragile.
(DBY)

Subtopics

Fragile

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First (4693 Occurrences)

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End (3706 Occurrences)

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Crumb

Angle (19 Occurrences)

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Square (94 Occurrences)

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Deuterocanonical

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Second (2060 Occurrences)

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Apocryphal

Fractures: Treatment of
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