15 Bible Verses about Powerlessness

Most Relevant Verses

Romans 8:3

For what the Law could not do [that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power] being weakened by the flesh [man’s nature without the Holy Spirit], God did: He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son],

Genesis 19:14

So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were [betrothed, and legally promised] to marry his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law he appeared to be joking.

Matthew 17:16-20

And I brought him to Your disciples, and they were not able to heal him.” And Jesus answered, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed at once. read more.
Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why could we not drive it out?” He answered, “Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and [if it is God’s will] it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Leviticus 26:37

They shall stumble over one another as if to escape from a sword when no one is chasing them; and you will have no power to stand before your enemies.

Deuteronomy 28:32

Your sons and daughters will be given to another people, while your eyes look on and long for them continually; but there will be nothing you can do.

Joshua 7:12

That is why the soldiers of Israel could not stand [and defend themselves] before their enemies; they turned their backs [and ran] before them, because they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from among you.

Judges 1:21

But the sons of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem; so the Jebusites have lived with the sons of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.

2 Chronicles 20:12

O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless against this great multitude which is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”

Isaiah 19:16

In that day the Egyptians will become like [helpless] women, and they will tremble and be frightened because of the waving of the hand of the Lord of hosts, which He is going to wave over them.

Jeremiah 50:37


“A sword against their horses and against their chariots
And against all the foreign troops that are in her midst,
And they will become [as weak and defenseless as] women!
A sword against her treasures, and they will be plundered!

Jeremiah 51:30


The mighty warriors of Babylon have ceased to fight;
They remain in their strongholds.
Their strength and power have failed;
They are becoming [weak and helpless] like women.
Their dwelling places are set on fire;
The bars on her gates are broken.

Nahum 3:13


Behold, your people are [as weak and helpless as] women in your midst!
The gates of your land are opened wide to your enemies;
Fire consumes the bars across your gates.

Isaiah 16:14

But now the Lord speaks, saying, “Within three years, as the years of a hired man [who will not serve longer than the agreed time], the glory of Moab will be degraded along with all the great population, and the remnant [that survives] will be very small and of no account.”

Job 6:13


“Is it that I have no help within myself,
And that success and wisdom have been driven from me?

From Thematic Bible


Powerlessness » Of men, often due to sin and unbelief » Israel could not stand before their enemies

Judges 1:21

But the sons of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem; so the Jebusites have lived with the sons of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.

Judges 2:14

So the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and He gave them into the hands (power) of plunderers who robbed them; and He sold them into the hands of their surrounding enemies, so that they could no longer stand [in opposition] before their enemies.

Leviticus 26:37

They shall stumble over one another as if to escape from a sword when no one is chasing them; and you will have no power to stand before your enemies.

Deuteronomy 28:32

Your sons and daughters will be given to another people, while your eyes look on and long for them continually; but there will be nothing you can do.

Joshua 7:12

That is why the soldiers of Israel could not stand [and defend themselves] before their enemies; they turned their backs [and ran] before them, because they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from among you.

Powerlessness » Of men, often due to sin and unbelief » Unbelief rendered the apostles helpless to contend with satanic forces

Mark 9:18

and whenever it seizes him [intending to do harm], it throws him down, and he foams [at the mouth], and grinds his teeth and becomes stiff. I told Your disciples to drive it out, and they could not do it.”

Powerlessness » Of men, often due to sin and unbelief » Apostasy produced a nation of cowards

1 Samuel 17:24

When the men of Israel all saw the man, they fled from him, and were very frightened.

Powerlessness » Of men, often due to sin and unbelief » Babylon enervated by idolatry

Jeremiah 51:30


The mighty warriors of Babylon have ceased to fight;
They remain in their strongholds.
Their strength and power have failed;
They are becoming [weak and helpless] like women.
Their dwelling places are set on fire;
The bars on her gates are broken.

Powerlessness » Of men, often due to sin and unbelief » A broken covenant stripped samson of his strength

Judges 16:17

Then [finally] he told her everything that was in his heart and said to her, “A razor has never been used on my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I will become weak and be like any [other] man.”

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