What does the Bible say about strength and weakness?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that God meets His people in weakness, gives strength for faithful obedience, and calls them to depend on His grace rather than themselves. He promises His sustaining presence in Isaiah 41:10 and renews those who wait for Him in Isaiah 40:28-31. Christ’s strength is displayed most clearly when believers acknowledge their need, for His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). Philippians 4:13 speaks of contented endurance through Christ’s strength, not self-reliance. God gives His children a Spirit of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7), and invites them to draw near for mercy and timely help (Hebrews 4:16).
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Isaiah 41:10 6 votes
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
- Philippians 4:13 6 votes
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10 6 votes
Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 5 votes
He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
- Isaiah 40:28-31 4 votes
Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? The everlasting God, Yahweh, the Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint. He isn’t weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might. Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young men utterly fall; but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
- 2 Timothy 1:7 3 votes
For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
- Ephesians 6:10 2 votes
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
- Romans 12:2 2 votes
Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
- Hebrews 13:5 2 votes
Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”
- Hebrews 4:16 2 votes
Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about strength and weakness and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about strength and weakness