Understanding ἀσθενέω (astheneō) Strong’s G770: The Divine Purpose in Human Weakness and the Path to Experiencing God’s Power

Pronunciation Guide: as-then-EH-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G770: ἀσθενέω (astheneō) fundamentally means “to be weak, feeble, or sick.” It encompasses both physical illness and metaphorical weakness, including spiritual, emotional, and moral frailty. The word carries the profound theological implication that human weakness creates the context for displaying God’s strength and power.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Verb
• Root Word: From ἀσθενής (asthenēs, G772)
• Composed of: α- (negative prefix) + σθένος (sthenos, “strength”)
• Primary Usage: Narrative passages, Pauline epistles, and healing accounts
• Language Origin: Classical Greek

ἀσθενέω Morphology:

• ἀσθενῶ (present active indicative) – I am weak/sick
• ἀσθενεῖ (present active indicative, 3rd person) – he/she is weak/sick
• ἀσθενοῦντες (present active participle) – being weak/sick
• ἠσθένησα (aorist active indicative) – I became weak/sick
• ἠσθένηκα (perfect active indicative) – I have been weak/sick

Origin & History

The word ἀσθενέω has deep roots in classical Greek medical literature, where Hippocrates used it extensively in his medical treatises to describe various states of illness and physical debility. In the Septuagint (LXX), it appears as a translation for several Hebrew words relating to weakness and illness, particularly חָלָה (chalah) and דַּל (dal).

The term gained additional theological significance in Hellenistic Jewish literature, where it began to represent not just physical weakness but also spiritual inadequacy before God. Philo of Alexandria, in his philosophical works, used ἀσθενέω to describe the human soul’s weakness in comprehending divine mysteries.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Physical illness or bodily weakness
• Spiritual or moral frailty
• Economic poverty or social powerlessness
• Mental or emotional fragility

ἀσθενέω Translation Options:

• “to be sick/ill” – When referring to physical ailments
• “to be weak” – When describing general inability or powerlessness
• “to be feeble” – When emphasizing ongoing state of weakness
• “to lack strength” – When highlighting absence of capability
• “to be incapacitated” – When indicating complete inability to function

Biblical Usage

The word ἀσθενέω appears prominently in healing narratives throughout the Gospels, where it describes those seeking the Messiah’s healing touch. However, its most theologically rich usage comes in Paul’s epistles, where he transforms the concept of weakness into a paradoxical source of spiritual strength through God’s grace.

The apostle Paul particularly employs this term to develop his theology of weakness as the vessel for divine power, most notably in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Here, the term takes on a profound spiritual significance, suggesting that human weakness becomes the stage upon which God’s power is most perfectly displayed.

• “Heal the sick [ἀσθενοῦντας] who are sick” Matthew 10:8
• “Lazarus, whom he loved, was sick [ἀσθενεῖ] was sick” John 11:3
• “For when I am weak [ἀσθενῶ], then I am strong I am weak” 2 Corinthians 12:10
• “Is anyone among you sick [ἀσθενεῖ]? sick” James 5:14
• “For he was sick [ἠσθένησε] was sick to the point of death” Philippians 2:27

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Mediterranean world, illness and weakness were often viewed not just as physical conditions but as signs of divine disfavor or demonic influence. This cultural context makes the Messiah’s healing ministry particularly significant, as it demonstrated God’s compassion and power over all forms of human frailty.

The Jewish concept of יצר הרע (yetzer hara) – the evil inclination – was often associated with human weakness and susceptibility to sin. The rabbis taught that this weakness was not inherently negative but provided an opportunity for spiritual growth through resistance and dependence on God.

Theological Significance

The theological implications of ἀσθενέω reveal a profound paradox in biblical spirituality. Rather than seeing weakness as merely a problem to be overcome, it becomes, in God’s economy, the very means through which His power is perfectly displayed. This understanding transforms our view of human limitations from obstacles to opportunities for experiencing divine strength.

This word carries special significance in understanding the Messiah’s incarnation, where He voluntarily took on human weakness to identify with and redeem humanity. The fact that Yeshua experienced weakness, yet without sin, provides both comfort and hope for believers struggling with their own frailties.

When Paul declares that God’s power is made perfect in weakness, he’s not merely offering consolation but revealing a fundamental principle of spiritual life: our weaknesses become the channels through which God’s strength flows most freely.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀσθενέω challenges us to embrace rather than resist our weaknesses. When we acknowledge our limitations, we position ourselves to experience God’s power in remarkable ways. This doesn’t mean we glorify weakness itself, but rather recognize it as the context for displaying God’s strength.

In practical terms, this means viewing our struggles, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, not as obstacles to serving God but as opportunities for His power to be displayed. When we feel inadequate for a task, we’re actually in the perfect position to experience His sufficiency.

Related Words

• δύναμις (dunamis) – power, strength, ability – Highlights the divine power that replaces human weakness – See G1411
• ἀσθένεια (astheneia) – weakness, sickness, frailty – The noun form expressing the state of being weak – See G769
• ἀσθενής (asthenēs) – weak, sick, feeble – The adjective describing one who is weak – See G772
• νόσος (nosos) – disease, sickness – A more specific term for physical illness – See G3554
• κάμνω (kamno) – to be weary, sick – Emphasizes the fatigue aspect of weakness – See G2577

Did you Know?

• In modern Greek, ἀσθενέω has evolved into the word ασθενώ, still used in medical terminology to describe illness, showing the enduring influence of this ancient term in contemporary medical language.
• The concept of weakness as strength found in ἀσθενέω notably contrasted with the Greco-Roman ideal of strength and self-sufficiency, marking Christianity’s radical departure from contemporary philosophical thought.
• The word appears in ancient Greek athletic texts to describe athletes who had depleted their strength during competition, providing a vivid metaphor for spiritual exhaustion and the need for divine strengthening.

Remember This

ἀσθενέω reveals the divine paradox that our greatest weakness becomes the stage for God’s greatest display of power when surrendered to Him in faith.