Understanding ἀσθενής (asthenēs) Strong’s G772: The Biblical Portrait of Weakness That Reveals God’s Strength

Pronunciation Guide: ah-sthen-ACE

Basic Definition

Strong’s G772: ἀσθενής describes a state of weakness, frailty, or infirmity, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. This compound word literally means “without strength” and can refer to sickness, disability, or a broader sense of powerlessness. In biblical usage, it often carries profound spiritual significance, highlighting human limitation as the backdrop for displaying God’s power.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Compound word from ἀ- (negative prefix, “without”) + σθένος (“strength”)
• Used primarily in narrative and teaching passages
• Frequent in Pauline epistles and gospel accounts
• Common in medical contexts in classical Greek

ἀσθενής Morphology:

• ἀσθενής (nominative singular masculine/feminine) – weak, sick
• ἀσθενές (nominative/accusative singular neuter) – weak thing
• ἀσθενοῦς (genitive singular) – of weakness
• ἀσθενεῖ (dative singular) – to/for the weak one
• ἀσθενεῖς (nominative/accusative plural) – weak ones

Origin & History

The term ἀσθενής has a rich history in classical Greek literature, particularly in medical writings. Hippocrates frequently used it to describe patients suffering from various ailments in his medical treatises. In Plato’s “Republic,” the word appears in discussions about the weakness of the human condition and its implications for justice and governance.

In the Septuagint, ἀσθενής often translates Hebrew terms relating to weakness (חָלָשׁ – chalash) and illness (חָלָה – chalah). This translation choice emphasizes both physical fraility and the broader human condition of dependence on God.

The early church fathers, particularly Chrysostom in his homilies, developed the theological significance of ἀσθενής, connecting human weakness with divine power. In his commentary on 2 Corinthians, he extensively explores how Paul’s use of the term revolutionizes the conventional Greek understanding of strength and weakness.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Physical weakness or illness
• Social powerlessness or low status
• Spiritual inadequacy or limitation
• Moral frailty or susceptibility to temptation
• Economic poverty or material need

ἀσθενής Translation Options:

• “weak” – emphasizes the basic sense of lacking strength
• “sick” – appropriate in medical contexts and physical ailments
• “frail” – captures both physical and metaphorical weakness
• “powerless” – best for contexts of social or spiritual inadequacy
• “infirm” – formal option that maintains medical connotations

Biblical Usage

The term ἀσθενής appears significantly in contexts where human limitation meets divine enablement. In the Gospels, it often describes those whom Jesus heals, emphasizing His power to overcome human frailty. Paul develops this theme theologically, particularly in his Corinthian correspondence, where weakness becomes a paradoxical source of strength through God’s grace.

The word takes on special significance in passages about Christian community, where care for the ἀσθενής becomes a hallmark of genuine faith. This usage reflects the radical biblical ethic that values and protects those society might consider weak or unimportant.

• “Matthew 25:39 – When did we see You sick [ἀσθενής] and visit You?”
• “Romans 5:6 – While we were still weak [ἀσθενής], Christ died for the ungodly.”
• “1 Corinthians 1:27 – God has chosen the weak [ἀσθενής] things of the world to shame the strong.”
• “1 Corinthians 8:9 – Take care that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak [ἀσθενής].”
• “2 Corinthians 12:10 – For when I am weak [ἀσθενής], then I am strong.”

Cultural Insights

In the Greco-Roman world, weakness was viewed almost exclusively negatively. The cultural ideal was the strong, self-sufficient individual. This makes the New Testament’s positive treatment of ἀσθενής particularly countercultural. The Messiah’s embrace of weakness and suffering, culminating in His crucifixion, completely inverted the classical understanding of power and dignity.

This cultural contrast is particularly striking in light of ancient Jewish expectations of the Messiah as a powerful military leader. The presentation of Jesus as one who identifies with the ἀσθενής challenged both Greek and Jewish presumptions about divine power and human worth.

Theological Significance

The concept of ἀσθενής plays a crucial role in biblical theology, particularly in understanding God’s method of working through human limitation. Rather than eliminating weakness, God often chooses to display His power through it. This pattern reaches its apex in the crucifixion, where the apparent weakness of the Messiah becomes the supreme demonstration of divine strength.

This theological framework provides a profound critique of human pride and self-sufficiency. By validating and working through weakness, God establishes a kingdom order that contrasts sharply with worldly power structures. The ἀσθενής become privileged recipients and channels of divine grace.

Furthermore, the concept creates a theological foundation for Christian community. Recognition of shared weakness fosters genuine interdependence and mutual care, reflecting God’s heart for His people.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀσθενής challenges us to reevaluate our relationship with weakness, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Rather than seeing our limitations as obstacles to overcome, we can view them as opportunities for God’s power to be displayed. This perspective transforms our response to personal struggles and those of others.

In practical terms, this understanding should shape both our prayer life and our community involvement. We can approach our weaknesses with humble confidence, knowing that God specializes in working through human limitation. Similarly, we can extend genuine care to others in their weakness, recognizing that such ministry reflects God’s heart and method.

Related Words

• ἀσθένεια (astheneia) – weakness, sickness, more abstract noun form emphasizing the state or condition of being weak. See G769
• ἀσθενέω (astheneō) – to be weak, sick, the verb form expressing the action or experience of weakness. See G770
• ἀδύνατος (adynatos) – impossible, powerless, emphasizing inability rather than general weakness. See G102
• ἄρρωστος (arrōstos) – sick, feeble, specifically focusing on physical illness. See G732

Did you Know?

• In ancient Greek medical texts, ἀσθενής was a technical term used in diagnosis, showing how the biblical authors drew from precise medical language to describe spiritual realities.
• The concept of divine strength in weakness became so central to Christian thought that early church architecture often incorporated deliberately “weak” elements to symbolize dependence on God’s power.
• Modern Greek still uses ἀσθενής in medical contexts, particularly in the term “ασθενοφόρο” (asthenoforo) meaning “ambulance” – literally, “weak-carrier.”

Remember This

When God calls you ἀσθενής, He’s not highlighting a flaw to fix, but preparing a canvas for His power to paint His glory.