ἀσθένημα (G771) — Greek Lexicon

ἀσθένημα

asthénēma

G771 noun

SILEX Entry

Root ἀσθεν- to be weak, to lack strength, to be deficient

Definition

A weakness, deficiency, or limitation, whether physical, moral, or mental; most often denotes some kind of incapacity or failing, typically in reference to the human condition. In Hellenistic Greek, commonly refers to a bodily weakness or sickness, but in certain contexts (such as Rom 6:19 and Rom 8:26), the term also denotes a weakness of character or inability in a moral or spiritual sense (e.g., a limitation or incapacity to do what is right or desired). May refer to a scruple of conscience, but more broadly to any inability, frailty, or hindrance.

Semantic Range

bodily weakness, physical incapacity, moral or spiritual incapacity, limitation, scruple of conscience, infirmity, frailty, imperfection

Root / Etymology

Derived from the verb ἀσθενέω (to be weak, to lack strength), itself from the adjective ἀσθενής (weak, powerless), from ἀ- (privative prefix, 'not') + σθένος (strength, power). The suffix -μα denotes the result or object of the action, thus 'that which is a weakness.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Ἀσθένυμα is a rare term, found primarily in later Koine contexts, with attestation in the New Testament only. Its more common cognates are ἀσθένεια (weakness, sickness) and ἀσθενής (weak, powerless). In Romans 6:19 and Romans 8:26, Paul uses the term to articulate the human inability to live righteously or to pray adequately apart from divine assistance, extending the term's semantic range beyond merely physical frailty. In Septuagint and wider Hellenistic Greek, the related nouns more often refer to bodily ailments, but ἀσθένυμα brings out the result or manifestation of weakness, whether in the body or (by extension) the moral/inner life. English translations often render it as 'infirmity,' which may obscure the breadth of the term; it can mean any lack, incapacity, or frailty, not only medical conditions. Not to be confused with moral failing as 'sin'—rather, it connotes the inability or limitation underlying action or will.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀσθενέω; a scruple of conscience:--infirmity.

Root Family

ἀσθένημα (asthenēma) — weakness, deficiency, incapacity, infirmity

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G771-01`	ἀσθενήματα	asthenemata	`N ACC N PL`	weaknesses	weaknesses	1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G771-01`	Romans 15:1	ἀσθενήματα	asthenemata	`N ACC N PL`	weaknesses	weaknesses

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