Topical Bible: Frailty
Topical Encyclopedia
Frailty, in the biblical context, refers to the inherent weakness and limitations of human beings, both physically and spiritually. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, highlighting the contrast between the finite nature of humanity and the infinite power and perfection of God.
Human Frailty in Scripture
The Bible frequently acknowledges the frailty of human life. In Psalm 39:4-5 , David prays, "Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is. Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You. Truly, each man at his best exists as but a breath." This passage underscores the brevity and fragility of human existence.
Similarly, in James 4:14 , the apostle James reminds believers of the transient nature of life: "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." This imagery of life as a mist or vapor captures the essence of human frailty.
Spiritual Frailty
Beyond physical limitations, the Bible also addresses spiritual frailty. Humanity's propensity to sin and fall short of God's glory is a recurring theme. Romans 3:23 states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This verse highlights the universal nature of sin and the spiritual weakness inherent in all people.
The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, further elaborates on this struggle with spiritual frailty. In Romans 7:18-19 , he writes, "For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do." This passage reflects the internal battle between the desire to live righteously and the weakness of the flesh.
God's Response to Human Frailty
Despite human frailty, the Bible assures believers of God's compassion and strength. Psalm 103:13-14 declares, "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust." God's understanding of human weakness is coupled with His mercy and grace.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9 , the apostle Paul shares God's response to his own weaknesses: "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." Here, Paul emphasizes that God's strength is made perfect in human weakness, offering hope and assurance to believers.
The Call to Dependence on God
Acknowledging human frailty leads to a greater dependence on God. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This call to trust in God rather than relying on one's own strength is a recurring biblical principle.
In Isaiah 40:29-31 , the prophet Isaiah offers encouragement to those who recognize their own limitations: "He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." This promise of renewed strength for those who rely on the Lord serves as a powerful reminder of God's provision in the face of human frailty.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) A physical, mental, or moral weakness; liableness to be broken or deceived.
2. (n.) A fault proceeding from weakness; foible; sin of infirmity.
Greek
769. astheneia -- weakness, frailty
... weakness, frailty. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: astheneia Phonetic
Spelling: (as-then'-i-ah) Short Definition: want of strength, weakness ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/769.htm - 7k
3153. mataiotes -- vanity, emptiness
... ace) Short Definition: vanity, purposelessness Definition: vanity, emptiness, unreality,
purposelessness, ineffectiveness, instability, frailty; false religion ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3153.htm - 6k
Library
Frailty and Folly.
... Hymns. Book 2. Composed on Divine Subjects. Hymn 2:32. Frailty and Folly. 1
How short and hasty is our life! How vast our souls' affairs! ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 2 32 frailty and folly.htm
February the Twenty-Seventh the Might of Frailty
... FEBRUARY The Twenty-seventh THE MIGHT OF FRAILTY. PSALM cv.23-36. That is
the wonder of wonders, that the Almighty God will use frail ...
/.../february the twenty-seventh the might.htm
Frailty and Folly.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 32 Frailty and folly. CM Frailty and folly. How short
and hasty is our life! How vast our souls' affairs! ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 32 frailty and folly.htm
Psalm 90 the Frailty and Shortness of Life.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 90 The frailty and shortness of life. v.5,10,12 SM.
The frailty and shortness of life. Lord, what a feeble piece. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 90 the frailty and.htm
Weak People Fall an Easy Prey to Heresy, which Derives Strength ...
... The Prescription Against Heretics. Chapter III."Weak People Fall an Easy Prey to
Heresy, Which Derives Strength from the General Frailty of Mankind. ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter iii weak people fall an.htm
Psalm 90:5. 5 10 12. SM The Frailty and Shortness of Life.
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 90:5. 5 10 12. SM The frailty and shortness
of life. 1 Lord what a feeble piece Is this our mortal frame! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 90 5 0 5 10 12.htm
Of the Weakness of Man.
... of its own accord passed to death, that it might be capable of receiving death itself,
which is the dissolution of nature, He gave to it frailty, which might ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap iv of the weakness of.htm
But Since the Fourth Passover of the Persecution Has Arrived...
... torments not to be borne, [2283] and stripes intolerable, and many other dreadful
afflictions, and afterwards have been betrayed by the frailty of the flesh ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon i but since the.htm
On the Nativity of John the Baptist the First Sermon
... Sermon. Of the spiritual Birth of Divine Grace in man from the ground of
humility and the acknowledgment of his own frailty. How ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon x on the nativity.htm
Since Then, in Reference to Our Hope of the Resurrection, Christ ...
... What frailty can you suppose to exist in a spiritual body? It is to rise in power;
how then is it again to be frail? If it is frail, how can it be in power? ...
/.../7 since then in reference.htm
Thesaurus
Frailty (1 Occurrence)
... deceived. 2. (n.) A fault proceeding from weakness; foible; sin of infirmity.
Multi-Version Concordance Frailty (1 Occurrence). Luke ...
/f/frailty.htm - 6k
Anthropology
... 2. Son of Man: The phrase ben-'adham, "son of man" (Numbers 23:19 Job 25:6 Ezekiel
2:3) is frequently found to denote man's frailty and unworthiness in the ...
/a/anthropology.htm - 38k
Spider (3 Occurrences)
... In Job 8:14 the spider's web is an emblem of frailty: "Whose confidence shall break
in sunder, and whose trust is a spider's web." Frailty or futility seems to ...
/s/spider.htm - 10k
Death (1610 Occurrences)
... It is true that death in Holy Scripture is often measured by the weakness and frailty
of human nature (Genesis 3:19 Job 14:1, 12 Psalm 39:5, 6; Psalm 90:5 ...
/d/death.htm - 68k
Vanity (100 Occurrences)
... vanities" (of idols); mataiotes, "emptiness," "transitoriness" (Romans 8:20, "The
creation was subjected to vanity," frailty, transitoriness); "emptiness ...
/v/vanity.htm - 39k
Vanities (14 Occurrences)
... vanities" (of idols); mataiotes, "emptiness," "transitoriness" (Romans 8:20, "The
creation was subjected to vanity," frailty, transitoriness); "emptiness ...
/v/vanities.htm - 12k
Infirmity (22 Occurrences)
... mind. 2. (n.) A personal frailty or failing; foible; eccentricity; a weakness
or defect. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. INFIRMITY. ...
/i/infirmity.htm - 15k
Earthly (39 Occurrences)
... It does, however, suggest a certain limitation or frailty; and in some passages,
the context gives the adjective epigeios an ethical color, though in the New ...
/e/earthly.htm - 22k
Resources
What was the reason behind Peter's denial of Jesus? | GotQuestions.org
How can I avoid being a doubting Thomas? | GotQuestions.org
What is the behemoth? | GotQuestions.org
Frailty: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com
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