All human strength derives from God. Among non-believers, strength may become a source of arrogant self-confidence, the oppression of others or rebellion against God.
The strength of the ungodly
Physical prowess
1 Samuel 17:4–10 See also Numbers 13:31–33
Then a champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out from the Philistine camp. He was six cubits and a span in height, and he had a bronze helmet on his head. He wore a bronze coat of mail weighing five thousand shekels, and he had armor of bronze on his legs and a javelin of bronze slung between his shoulders. The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. In addition, his shield bearer went before him. And Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and array yourselves for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not servants of Saul? Choose one of your men and have him come down against me. If he is able to fight me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and work for us.” Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day! Give me a man to fight!”
Intelligence
1 Corinthians 1:22 The Gentile world relies on fallen reason rather than revelation. See also Acts 17:19–21, Acts 17:32; Colossians 2:8
Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom,
Political and military might
Psalm 20:7 See also Genesis 10:8–12; Psalm 33:16; Isaiah 31:1, Isaiah 36:18–20
Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
Prosperity
Psalm 49:6 See also Jeremiah 49:4; Luke 12:18–19; 1 Timothy 6:17
They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches.
The ultimate futility of human strength
1 Corinthians 1:25 See also 2 Chronicles 32:7–8; Psalm 49:17, Psalm 146:3; Ecclesiastes 5:15; Isaiah 30:1–3; Luke 12:20; 1 Corinthians 1:19–20, 1 Corinthians 2:6; 1 Timothy 6:7; James 1:11
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
Negative consequences of human strength
Arrogant self-confidence
Genesis 11:4 See also 1 Samuel 17:41–44; Psalm 52:1 Boasting betrays the source of people's confidence; Isaiah 36:8–9; Daniel 4:30; Luke 18:9–12; Galatians 6:13; Philippians 3:3
“Come,” they said, “let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.”
Violence and oppression
Psalm 52:7 See also Genesis 4:23–24; Exodus 1:11–14, Exodus 5:10–14; Judges 6:2, Judges 6:6; Psalm 37:14, Psalm 73:3–8; Isaiah 5:8; James 5:4–6
“Look at the man who did not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his wealth and strengthened himself by destruction.”
The physical strength of some godly men
2 Samuel 23:20 parallel 1 Chronicles 11:22 Benaiah; 1 Chronicles 11:20–21 Abishai; Hebrews 11:32–34
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.