Brief Overview of ἀσθένεια (G769: astheneia)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: astheneia

Root Words:

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• ἀσθένεια is derived from the Greek root ἀσθενής (asthenēs), meaning “weak” or “sick,” combined with the suffix -ία which forms nouns denoting states or conditions.

Primary Meanings:

• Weakness: The primary meaning of ἀσθένεια is physical or moral weakness.
• Sickness: It can also refer to illness or lack of health.
• Infirmity: The term is used to denote general infirmity or frailty.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG defines ἀσθένεια as a state of weakness or frailty, either physical or moral. It notes that the term can be used broadly to refer to any form of weakness or illness. The dictionary highlights its use in both physical contexts (like sickness) and metaphorical contexts (such as moral weakness).

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon describes ἀσθένεια as “infirmity,” referring to physical weaknesses or diseases, and by extension, moral or spiritual weakness. It includes various uses in the New Testament and classical Greek literature.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary aligns with BDAG, emphasizing that ἀσθένεια encompasses physical ailments and moral or spiritual weakness. It notes its use in discussing both personal suffering and broader, figurative applications.

LSJ: LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) describes ἀσθένεια as “weakness” and “infirmity,” focusing on its medical and general meanings. It acknowledges its use in various contexts, including both physical and metaphorical weakness.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀσθένεια as “infirmity” or “weakness,” encompassing both physical and moral aspects. It is used to describe both literal and figurative states of weakness.

Bible Verses:

• Matthew 8:17 (KJV): “That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.”
• Here, ἀσθένεια is used to describe physical infirmities and sicknesses.
• Romans 8:26 (KJV): “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
• In this context, ἀσθένεια refers to moral or spiritual weakness.
• 1 Corinthians 15:43 (KJV): “It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.”
• The term ἀσθένεια is used to describe weakness in a metaphorical sense, referring to human frailty.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

• Hippocrates’ Aphorisms: Discusses various medical conditions and uses terms related to weakness and illness similar to ἀσθένεια.
• Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics: Explores concepts of moral weakness, which aligns with the broader use of ἀσθένεια in terms of moral or ethical frailty.
• Plato’s Phaedo: References physical and mental states of weakness in philosophical discussions, echoing the usage of ἀσθένεια.

4. Summary:

ἀσθένεια (G769: astheneia) refers to a state of weakness, which can be physical, moral, or spiritual. Its usage spans from describing physical sickness and infirmities to moral and ethical weaknesses. The term is well-documented in biblical texts and classic Greek literature, reflecting its broad application in discussing various forms of frailty and weakness.