Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the concept of "weaken" often refers to the diminishing of strength, power, or resolve, whether physically, spiritually, or morally. The term can be applied to individuals, nations, or spiritual entities, and it is frequently used to describe the consequences of sin, disobedience, or divine judgment.Physical Weakness: Physical weakness is a common theme in the Bible, often highlighting human frailty and dependence on God. In the Old Testament, the Israelites experienced physical weakening as a result of their disobedience. For instance, in Leviticus 26:37 , God warns, "They will stumble over one another as if fleeing from the sword, though no one is pursuing them. So you will not be able to stand against your enemies." This passage illustrates how disobedience leads to a loss of strength and courage. Spiritual Weakness: Spiritual weakness is addressed in both the Old and New Testaments. It is often associated with a lack of faith or a turning away from God. In Isaiah 40:29 , the prophet declares, "He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak." This verse emphasizes God's role in restoring spiritual strength to those who rely on Him. The New Testament also addresses spiritual weakness, particularly in the context of the early Christian communities. In Romans 14:1 , Paul advises, "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions." Here, the apostle encourages believers to support those who are spiritually weak, fostering unity and growth within the body of Christ. Moral Weakness: Moral weakness is often depicted as a susceptibility to sin and temptation. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who succumbed to moral weakness, leading to personal and communal consequences. In Judges 16, the account of Samson illustrates how moral weakness, particularly in the form of succumbing to Delilah's persuasion, led to his downfall. Judges 16:19 recounts, "She lulled him to sleep on her lap, and called a man to shave off the seven braids of his head. In this way she began to subdue him, and his strength left him." National Weakness: The weakening of nations is a recurring theme, often portrayed as a result of divine judgment. In Jeremiah 18:7-10 , God speaks of His power to build up or tear down nations based on their obedience or disobedience: "At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed. But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to inflict." Overcoming Weakness: The Bible offers hope for overcoming weakness through reliance on God's strength. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 , Paul shares a profound insight: "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." This passage underscores the paradoxical nature of Christian strength, where human weakness becomes an opportunity for divine power to manifest. Believers are encouraged to embrace their weaknesses, trusting in God's grace and strength to sustain them. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To make weak; to lessen the strength of; to deprive of strength; to debilitate; to enfeeble; to enervate; as, to weaken the body or the mind; to weaken the hands of a magistrate; to weaken the force of an objection or an argument.2. (v. t.) To reduce in quality, strength, or spirit; as, to weaken tea; to weaken any solution or decoction. 3. (v. i.) To become weak or weaker; to lose strength, spirit, or determination; to become less positive or resolute; as, the patient weakened; the witness weakened on cross-examination. Greek 4919. sunthrupto -- to break in pieces, crush ... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sunthrupto Phonetic Spelling: (soon-throop'-to) Short Definition: I break in pieces, crush, thoroughly weaken Definition: I ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4919.htm - 6k 3886. paraluo -- to loose from the side Strong's Hebrew 4107. mahal -- to circumcise, weaken... 4106, 4107. mahal. 4108 . to circumcise, weaken. Transliteration: mahal Phonetic Spelling: (maw-hal') Short Definition: diluted. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/4107.htm - 5k 2522. chalash -- to be weak or prostrate 2827. chashal -- to shatter 2470a. chalah -- to be weak or sick 6031. anah -- to be bowed down or afflicted Library Internal Exercises Weaken the Body, yet Oft Prolong Life. ... Eleventh Lesson. Believe that Ye have Received;' Argument: the Impious Temerity of Theodorus, Diagoras, and ... Consciousness of God's Presence. A Sermon on the Boat Race. The Octavius of Minucius Felix Whether the Gravity of a Sin Depends on Its Cause? In what Sense we are to Leave the World That the Union to which Love Aspires is Spiritual. The Will. Thesaurus Weaken (5 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To make weak; to lessen the strength of; to deprive of strength; to debilitate; to enfeeble; to enervate; as, to weaken the body or the mind; to weaken... /w/weaken.htm - 8k Weakened (7 Occurrences) Weak (102 Occurrences) Zedekiah (63 Occurrences) Lucifer (1 Occurrence) Water (4571 Occurrences) Infirm (25 Occurrences) Invalidate (1 Occurrence) Faint (76 Occurrences) Emasculate (1 Occurrence) Resources Who was Balaam in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is God's relationship to time? | GotQuestions.org What impact did David Hume have on the Christian faith? | GotQuestions.org Weaken: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Weaken (5 Occurrences)Romans 4:19 Isaiah 14:12 Isaiah 38:14 Jeremiah 5:3 Jeremiah 38:4 Subtopics Related Terms |
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