Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Strength vs Courage

I have been pondering this the past few days.  What is the difference between strength and courage?  In Joshua 1:9 God tells us, "have I not commanded/ordered you? Be strong and courageous/bold. Do not fear/be downhearted/tremble/be discouraged/be terrified. For I, the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go/with every step you take."

Can you be strong and not courageous?
Can you be courageous and weak?

Courage is defined as: The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.

Strength is defined as : the state or quality of being strong; force; power; vigor; the power to resist strain, stress, etc.; toughness; durability; the power to resist attack; impregnability; legal, moral, or intellectual force or effectiveness

From the Strong's definitions of the original words used in Joshua 1:9,
Strong means: strengthen, prevail, harden, , be courageous, be firm, be resolute, be sore, to prevail, be caught fast, be secure, to press, be urgent, to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense), to be severe, be grievous, sustain, encourage, to make bold, encourage,
to make rigid, make hard, to support, to repair, hold up, sustain, support, to withstand

And courage means: be strong, alert, brave, stout, bold, solid, hard, to strengthen, secure (for oneself), harden (heart), make firm, make obstinate, assure, to be determined, to make oneself alert, confirm oneself, persist in, prove superior to, to exhibit strength, be strong, feel strong

Some folks say strength and courage are mutually exclusive - I don't know if I agree.

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