Lexical Summary chólos: Lame Original Word: χωλός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance lameApparently a primary word; "halt", i.e. Limping -- cripple, halt, lame. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition lame, halt, maimed NASB Translation lame (14). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5560: χωλόςχωλός, χωλη, χωλόν, from Homer down, the Sept. for פִּסֵּחַ, lame: Acts 3:2, 11 Rec.; Topical Lexicon Term and Conceptχωλός (Strong’s 5560) designates one whose feet or legs are impaired, hence “lame” or “crippled.” In Scripture it appears both literally—describing physical disability—and figuratively—illustrating spiritual or moral deficiency. The term occurs fourteen times across the Gospels, Acts, and Hebrews. Summary of New Testament Occurrences 1. Miracles of Jesus: Matthew 11:5; 15:30–31; 21:14; Luke 7:22; John 5:3 These settings reveal a consistent theme: the coming of the Kingdom reverses human brokenness, summons radical compassion, and warns against sin’s crippling effects. Miracles of Jesus: Messianic Credentials Jesus cites Isaiah 35:6 when He tells John’s disciples, “the lame walk” (Matthew 11:5; Luke 7:22). Physical restoration authenticates His messianic identity and signals the dawn of the promised age. Other passages reinforce the point: crowds lay “the lame, the blind, the mute, the maimed” at His feet and “He healed them” (Matthew 15:30–31). Even in the sanctity of the temple precincts, “The blind and the lame came to Him…and He healed them” (Matthew 21:14), underlining that no place is off-limits to redemptive power. John 5: Bethesda and Human Helplessness At the pool called Bethesda “a great number of the sick, the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed were lying in the colonnades” (John 5:3). The scene exposes the pervasive helplessness of fallen humanity, awaiting divine intervention. Jesus’ healing of one man there illustrates sovereign grace that singles out and restores. Parables: Inclusion of the Marginalized In the parable of the Great Banquet, the host commands, “Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind” (Luke 14:13), and later, “Bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame” (Luke 14:21). χωλός here symbolizes those society overlooks. Kingdom hospitality embraces the physically and socially disadvantaged, foreshadowing the gospel’s global reach to all who will come. Apostolic Ministry: Continuation of Jesus’ Works • Acts 3:2-10—Peter heals a man “lame from birth” at the Beautiful Gate, resulting in public wonder and a gospel proclamation. These signs confirm that the risen Christ continues His work through the Spirit-empowered church (Acts 1:1; Hebrews 2:3-4). Discipleship Warnings: Sin’s Crippling Power Jesus employs χωλός metaphorically: “It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire” (Matthew 18:8; cf. Mark 9:45). Radical self-denial is preferable to spiritual ruin; unchecked sin leaves a soul permanently incapacitated. Pastoral Exhortation: Strengthening the Weak Hebrews exhorts, “Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed” (Hebrews 12:13). The church must remove barriers—whether discouragement, false teaching, or lovelessness—that hinder the weak. Spiritual orthopedics fosters healing, not further injury. Old Testament Background and Fulfillment Isaiah foresaw a day when “the lame will leap like a deer” (Isaiah 35:6). David welcomed the lame of Saul’s house (2 Samuel 9), illustrating covenant kindness. In the prophets, Jerusalem’s restoration includes the gathering of the lame (Micah 4:6-7; Zephaniah 3:19). New Testament fulfillments in Christ and His body verify Scripture’s unity. Historical Context First-century Palestine offered no social safety net for the disabled; most lame persons resorted to street begging (Acts 3:2). Temple restrictions (2 Samuel 5:8; later rabbinic expansions) added stigma. Jesus’ and the apostles’ healing of the lame not only relieved physical suffering but also restored worship access and communal dignity. Theological Significance 1. Revelation of Messiah: Physical healings validate prophetic claims. Practical Ministry Implications • Integrate accessible structures and compassionate service for the disabled. Thus χωλός, though a single adjective, threads through the New Testament as a vivid emblem of the Savior’s restorative reign and the Church’s call to extend it in word and deed. Forms and Transliterations εχώνευσαν εχώνευσε εχώνευσεν κεχωματισμένας χωλά χωλοι χωλοί χωλοὶ χωλον χωλόν χωλὸν χωλος χωλός χωλὸς χωλού χωλους χωλούς χωλοὺς χωλων χωλών χωλῶν χώμα χωμαρίμ χώματι χώματος χωνεύεται χωνευθήναι χωνευθήσεσθε χώνευμα χωνεύματα χωνεύσας χωνεύσει χωνεύσεις χώνευσιν χωνεύσω χωνευτά χωνευτή χωνευτήριον χωνευτηρίου χωνευτηρίω χωνευτοί χωνευτοίς χωνευτόν χωνευτούς χωνευτών χωνεύων choloi choloì chōloi chōloì cholon cholón cholòn cholôn chōlon chōlón chōlòn chōlōn chōlō̂n cholos cholòs chōlos chōlòs cholous choloús choloùs chōlous chōloús chōloùsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 11:5 Adj-NMPGRK: ἀναβλέπουσιν καὶ χωλοὶ περιπατοῦσιν λεπροὶ NAS: RECEIVE SIGHT and [the] lame walk, KJV: and the lame walk, INT: receive sight and lame walk lepers Matthew 15:30 Adj-AMP Matthew 15:31 Adj-AMP Matthew 18:8 Adj-AMS Matthew 21:14 Adj-NMP Mark 9:45 Adj-AMS Luke 7:22 Adj-NMP Luke 14:13 Adj-AMP Luke 14:21 Adj-AMP John 5:3 Adj-GMP Acts 3:2 Adj-NMS Acts 8:7 Adj-NMP Acts 14:8 Adj-NMS Hebrews 12:13 Adj-NNS Strong's Greek 5560 |
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