In the context of the Bible, the term "weakling" is not explicitly used in most translations, including the Berean Standard Bible . However, the concept of weakness, particularly in terms of physical, spiritual, or moral frailty, is addressed throughout Scripture. The Bible often contrasts human weakness with divine strength, emphasizing reliance on God rather than on human capabilities.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of weakness is often associated with human frailty and the need for God's strength. For example, in Isaiah 40:29 , it is written, "He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak." This passage highlights God's provision for those who are physically or spiritually weak, underscoring the belief that true strength comes from the Lord.

The account of Gideon in Judges 6-7 illustrates how God can use those who perceive themselves as weak to accomplish His purposes. Gideon initially sees himself as the least in his family and his clan as the weakest in Manasseh (Judges 6:15). Yet, God chooses him to lead Israel to victory over the Midianites, demonstrating that divine strength can manifest through human weakness.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently addresses the theme of weakness, particularly in his letters to the Corinthians. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 , Paul writes, "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Here, Paul embraces his weaknesses as opportunities for Christ's power to be displayed, teaching that reliance on God's grace is paramount.

The concept of spiritual weakness is also addressed in Romans 8:26 , where Paul writes, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words." This passage reassures believers that the Holy Spirit aids them in their spiritual frailty, interceding on their behalf.

Moral and Ethical Weakness

The Bible also speaks to moral and ethical weakness, urging believers to seek strength in God to overcome sin and temptation. In Matthew 26:41 , Jesus advises His disciples, "Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak." This admonition highlights the human tendency toward moral weakness and the necessity of vigilance and prayer.

Community and Support

The early Christian community is encouraged to support those who are weak. In 1 Thessalonians 5:14 , Paul instructs, "And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone." This directive emphasizes the importance of mutual support and patience within the body of Christ, recognizing that all believers may experience times of weakness.

Conclusion

While the term "weakling" may not be directly found in the Bible, the Scriptures provide a comprehensive understanding of human weakness and the divine strength available to believers. Through reliance on God, the power of Christ, and the support of the Christian community, individuals can find strength in their times of weakness.1. (n.) A weak or feeble creature.

2. (a.) Weak; feeble.

The Last Agony
... him to have died on his palace threshold than to have skulked away in the dark between
the shelter of the 'two walls.' But he was a poor weakling, and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the last agony.htm

Introduction
... Since the thoughts of mortals are weakling and our purposes are prone to fail; for
the body that is corruptible weighs down soul, and mind with its store of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter one introduction.htm

School Days
... thirty miles a day on foot, day after day, you football players and baseball players,
you trained athletes, and say whether it is the work of a weakling or of ...
/.../greater things the story of saint stanislaus kostka /chapter v school days.htm

Fearlessness.
... Carnality, the source of cowardice, has been removed, and the weakling is turned
into a Lord Nelson for bravery, and a Savonarola for faithfulness to men's ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter vi fearlessness.htm

Then, Again, Every one is Ready with the Argument that all Things. ...
... For even the weakling has no strong dread of death as a debt he knows is due by
him; while the wise man does not look with contempt on pleasure, regarding it ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter ii then again every.htm

Jacob's Waking Exclamation
... he was but a babe in grace; his ready yielding to his mother's craft proves his
want of advanced piety; and it is no trifling thing for a weakling to be taken ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/jacobs waking exclamation.htm

Be Brave
... BE BRAVE. Be brave. Only the brave are strong. The coward is a weakling; if he has
strength, he dares not use it. We must be brave, for life is a battle. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk forty-six be brave.htm

Endless Praise.
... And for ever,. Shall the golden harps resound. There shall I rehearse the story,.
How a weakling faint and worn,. Was o'er rocks and through deep waters,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/morris/favourite welsh hymns/lvii endless praise.htm

Eudoxia's Statue
... reasonably satisfied. Further than this, she was mated to an indolent weakling,
and had asserted over him an immense dominance. If ...
/.../chapter xlvii eudoxias statue.htm

Concerning Satan and Death
... S., Thou, Death, from God, hast gotten thy might: I alone by none am I helped, when
I lead men to sin."9. D., Thou, O Evil-One, like a weakling: while like a ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lii concerning satan and.htm

Weakling (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A weak or feeble creature. 2. (a.) Weak;
feeble. Multi-Version Concordance Weakling (1 Occurrence). ...
/w/weakling.htm - 6k

Weaklings (1 Occurrence)

/w/weaklings.htm - 6k

Weak-handed (1 Occurrence)
Weak-handed. Weakest, Weak-handed. Weakling . Multi-Version Concordance
Weak-handed (1 Occurrence). ... Weakest, Weak-handed. Weakling . Reference Bible.
/w/weak-handed.htm - 6k

Empire (8 Occurrences)
... never again to be united. The western half rapidly degenerated before barbaric
hordes and weakling rulers. The western provinces and ...
/e/empire.htm - 80k

Nonimmersionist
... largely into the church and it was held that no unbaptized child could be saved,
the practice arose of encouraging the baptism of all weakling infants by nurses ...
/n/nonimmersionist.htm - 38k

Non-immersionist
... largely into the church and it was held that no unbaptized child could be saved,
the practice arose of encouraging the baptism of all weakling infants by nurses ...
/n/non-immersionist.htm - 38k

Hezekiah (124 Occurrences)
... though really its consistency and strength looked like a supine passivity, would
lead his restlessly scheming nobles to regard him as a pious weakling; and not ...
/h/hezekiah.htm - 72k

View (86 Occurrences)
... largely into the church and it was held that no unbaptized child could be saved,
the practice arose of encouraging the baptism of all weakling infants by nurses ...
/v/view.htm - 81k

Roman (26 Occurrences)
... never again to be united. The western half rapidly degenerated before barbaric
hordes and weakling rulers. The western provinces and ...
/r/roman.htm - 101k

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