Strong as he is (meanings)

[Alexey86]

The second one says Bill is as strong as John.

That's why I asked 'Would 2a work if I compared two different people?'

[jutfrank]

Would 2a work if I compared two different people?

Strong as John is, Bill can lift it easily.

No, that doesn't make sense. You'd need to preface the sentence with Being to have any chance of being understood. But anyway, don't.

I've also found this example: As smart as she is, she is equally funny. (Huffington Post) Is it correct? I see no contrast here.

Yes, there's no contrast there. That's a very unusual use of the pattern, but I can't say it's incorrect.

"Sick as he is, he will want to go with you"

Yes, that's a decent example, as it shows the contrast nice and clearly. Still, I'd prefer it with though in place of as.

[Alexey86]

No, that doesn't make sense. What do you mean to compare?

I compare John with Bill. Isn't Strong as John is, Bill can lift it easily equal to Being as strong as John is, Bill can lift it easily?

[Piscean]

No.

[Alexey86]

No, that doesn't make sense. You'd need to preface the sentence with Being to have any chance of being understood. But anyway, don't.

Do you mean the sentence doesn't make sense even with being, or what?

[jutfrank]

Do you mean the sentence doesn't make sense even with being, or what?

I meant that you'd need to say Being as strong as John is, Bill can lift it easily to have a chance of being understood.

But anyway, don't was my way of telling you not to say that.

[Alexey86]

But anyway, don't was my way of telling you not to say that.

How should I change the sentence?

[jutfrank]

How should I change the sentence?

I assume you mean this:

Bill can lift it just as easily as John can.

[Alexey86]

I assume you mean this:

Bill can lift it just as easily as John can.

This variant is slightly different in meaning from the being one. To my ear, John can implies that John has in fact lifted it, while the being variant doesn't. Of course, I might be just hard of hearing. I'm just talking about your particular example. I understand that if someone replies 'I can' to 'Can you help me?', it doesn't imply this person has helped the one who asks before.

[Piscean]

Once again, you are trying to read too much into straightforward words.