ἀσθένεια

want of strength, weakness, illness

Definition

The Greek word ἀσθένεια primarily means 'weakness' or 'lack of strength,' encompassing both physical and non-physical dimensions. In its most concrete sense, it refers to physical illness or infirmity, as seen in the case of the woman with a disabling spirit for eighteen years (Luke 13:11) and the man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:5). Beyond the physical, it describes human frailty, limitation, and vulnerability, such as the inherent weakness of the flesh (Matthew 26:41). In Paul's writings, it can also denote a personal limitation or 'thorn' given to prevent spiritual pride (2 Corinthians 12:5, 9-10).

Biblical Usage

ἀσθένεια is used 23 times in the New Testament, appearing in the Gospels, Acts, and the Pauline epistles. In the Gospels and Acts, it almost exclusively refers to physical sicknesses that Jesus and the apostles heal (e.g., Luke 5:15; Acts 28:9). Paul employs the term more broadly, using it to describe general human frailty (Romans 6:19), the weakness of the human body (1 Corinthians 15:43), and even spiritual or circumstantial limitations that showcase God's power (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Etymology

Derived from the alpha-privative prefix ἀ- (meaning 'not' or 'without') combined with the root *sthen- (meaning 'strength'). It is related to the adjective ἀσθενής (asthenēs, G772), meaning 'weak' or 'sick.' The core concept is a fundamental lack or deprivation of strength, power, or capacity.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it highlights the human condition of limitation and dependence, which contrasts with God's power. In the Gospels, Jesus' healing of ἀσθένεια demonstrates his messianic authority over sickness, fulfilling prophecy (Matthew 8:17). For Paul, human weakness is the very platform upon which God's grace and power are perfected, a central paradox of the Christian life (2 Corinthians 12:9). Understanding this term enriches reading by revealing that 'weakness' in the biblical sense is not merely a problem to be solved but often the context for divine strength.

In the first-century Greco-Roman world, physical illness (ἀσθένεια) was often viewed with stigma and could be associated with divine disfavor or moral failing. Jesus' and the apostles' ministry of healing directly confronted these cultural assumptions, demonstrating compassion and asserting God's kingdom as a restoration of wholeness.

νόσος (nosos, G3554) — Often a more specific term for disease or sickness. μαλακία (malakia, G3119) — Can mean 'sickness' or 'softness,' sometimes used interchangeably for illness. ἀσθενής (asthenēs, G772) — The adjective form meaning 'weak' or 'sick.'

Word Details

Scripture References