Weakness, physical

Causes of human physical weakness

Sin

Romans 8:3 KJV 1900

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

See also Ps 90:10; Ro 5:6; Heb 5:2

Divine action

Ge 32:25 Through wrestling with God, Jacob carried a physical reminder for the rest of his life.

See also Ge 32:32; Heb 11:21

Disobedience

Judges 16:20 KJV 1900

And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him.

See also Jdg 16:7; Jdg 16:11; Jdg 16:13; Jdg 16:17; Job 18:7; Eze 7:17; Eze 21:7; 1 Co 11:30

Satanic action

2 Corinthians 12:7 KJV 1900

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

See also Is 14:12; Mk 9:17–18; Lk 13:11

Disease or disability

Ps 6:2; Ps 31:9–10; Jn 5:7; Ga 4:13–14

Weakness from birth

Acts 3:2 KJV 1900

And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

Weakness in old age

Genesis 27:1 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.

See also 2 Sa 19:34–37; 1 Ki 1:1

Persecution

2 Corinthians 11:30 KJV 1900

If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

See also Nu 11:14–15; 1 Ki 19:3–6; Mt 26:38; Mt 27:32 The physical weakness of Jesus Christ after flogging led to Simon carrying the cross; Ac 14:19–20; 1 Co 2:3 Weakness and fear are often associated; 2 Co 11:23–29

Being faced with opposition

Nu 13:18; 2 Sa 3:29; Ne 6:9

Corporate weakness

2 Chronicles 20:12 KJV 1900

O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

See also Le 26:36; Jdg 6:15; 2 Sa 3:1; La 1:6

Believers’ responsibility to the weak

Acts 20:35 KJV 1900

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

See also Ps 41:1; Eze 34:4; Ro 14:1; Ro 15:1; 1 Co 8:9; 1 Co 9:22; 1 Th 5:14

The weakness of God

2 Corinthians 13:4 KJV 1900

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

See also 1 Co 1:25; Heb 4:15