ἀσθένεια (astheneia)
astheneia
weakness: weak
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 23 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun astheneia denotes a lack of strength, covering physical frailty, sickness, and moral or spiritual weakness. In the New Testament it appears twenty-three times, frequently describing bodily infirmity as seen when Jesus heals the sick in Matthew 8:17 or when Paul mentions his own chronic illness in Galatians 4:13. The word captures a state of vulnerability that is not merely physical but can also describe the soul’s inability to grasp divine truths or endure trials.
Its root, asthenēs, literally means "without strength," and this sense of deficiency carries significant theological weight. Paul uses it to explain why the gospel often appears foolish to the world; in 1 Corinthians 2:3 he speaks of coming in weakness and fear, showing that God’s power is made perfect in human inadequacy (2 Corinthians 12:9). This contrast between human limitation and divine strength is central to the concept.
Translators often render astheneia as "infirmity," "sickness," or "weakness" depending on context. In Hebrews 5:2, it describes the high priest’s own weakness, which leads him to offer sacrifices for sins. The term thus bridges the gap between physical suffering and spiritual humility, highlighting that human frailty is not a barrier to God’s work but often the very place where His power is most clearly displayed.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we face physical illness or emotional exhaustion, it is natural to feel isolated or inadequate. The Greek word astheneia describes this state of weakness, whether it is a chronic body condition or a soul that feels too tired to keep going. It does not describe a moral failure, but a human reality that all believers share. In these moments, we are reminded that our strength is not the source of God’s attention.
Scripture offers a surprising comfort: divine power often finds its clearest expression in human limitation. Paul writes that when he was weak, then he was strong, because Christ’s power rested on him. This means your current struggles do not disqualify you from God’s grace. Instead, they may be the very place where His sustaining strength becomes most visible to you and those around you.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 23 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- weakness7×
- weaknesses3×
- weakness,3×
- sickness2×
- infirmities2×
- weaknesses,1×
- weakness;1×
- sicknesses1×
- of infirmity1×
- infirmity1×
- infirmities,1×
- ailments.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀσθενείας6×
- ἀσθενείᾳ4×
- ἀσθενείαις3×
- ἀσθένειαν2×
- ἀσθένειαν·1×
- ἀσθένειαν,1×
- ἀσθένεια1×
- ἀσθενείᾳ,1×
- ἀσθενείας.1×
- ἀσθενείας,1×
- ἀσθενείαις,1×
- ἀσθενειῶν,1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 12:9
He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
This verse captures the core theological shift where God declares His grace sufficient precisely because human weakness allows divine power to rest upon the believer without competition.
-
Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.
Here the word highlights the Spirit’s role in bridging the gap between our inability to pray and God’s desire to hear us, ensuring our silence is never ignored.
-
Matthew 8:17
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
This reference connects Jesus’ healing ministry directly to Isaiah’s prophecy, showing that bearing infirmities is an act of compassionate identification with human suffering.
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Hebrews 4:15
For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.
The term assures believers that their high priest understands physical and emotional frailty intimately, having been tempted in every way yet remaining sinless.