Infirmities, as referenced in the Bible, encompass a range of physical, mental, and spiritual weaknesses or ailments that afflict humanity. The concept of infirmities is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting the fallen state of the world and the human condition. Throughout Scripture, infirmities are depicted not only as physical ailments but also as spiritual and moral weaknesses that require divine intervention and healing.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, infirmities are often associated with physical ailments and diseases. The Hebrew word "חֳלִי" (choli) is frequently used to describe sickness or disease. For instance, in Deuteronomy 7:15, God promises the Israelites that He will remove all sickness from them if they obey His commandments: "And the LORD will remove from you all sickness, and He will not lay upon you any of the terrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but He will inflict them on all who hate you."

Infirmities in the Old Testament are sometimes seen as a consequence of sin or disobedience, as illustrated in the curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28. However, they are also occasions for God to demonstrate His power and mercy, as seen in the healing narratives of the prophets, such as Elisha's healing of Naaman's leprosy (2 Kings 5).

New Testament Context

The New Testament expands on the concept of infirmities, emphasizing both physical and spiritual dimensions. The Greek word "ἀσθένεια" (astheneia) is commonly used to denote weakness or infirmity. Jesus Christ's ministry is marked by numerous healings, underscoring His authority over physical and spiritual ailments. In Matthew 8:17, the healing ministry of Jesus is linked to the prophecy of Isaiah: "He Himself took our infirmities and carried our diseases."

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the theme of infirmities, particularly in the context of human weakness and reliance on God's strength. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul speaks of a "thorn in the flesh," a personal infirmity that he asked God to remove. God's response highlights the sufficiency of divine grace: "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me."

Spiritual Infirmities

Beyond physical ailments, the Bible also addresses spiritual infirmities, which refer to moral and ethical weaknesses. These are often depicted as struggles against sin and the flesh. Hebrews 4:15 speaks of Jesus as the High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses, having been tempted in every way, yet without sin: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin."

Role of Faith and Prayer

Faith and prayer are central to addressing infirmities in the biblical narrative. James 5:14-15 encourages believers to pray for the sick, promising that "the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick." This underscores the belief in God's power to heal and the importance of communal support and intercession.

Conclusion

Infirmities, as depicted in the Bible, serve as a reminder of human frailty and the need for divine intervention. They highlight the compassionate nature of God, who provides healing and strength to those who seek Him. Through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, believers are assured of God's power to overcome both physical and spiritual infirmities, offering hope and restoration to a broken world.(n.) Plural of Infirmity.3663. homoiopathes -- of like feelings or affections
... Spelling: (hom-oy-op-ath-ace') Short Definition: of like feelings Definition: of
like feelings, having similar passions and feelings, of like infirmities. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3663.htm - 6k

769. astheneia -- weakness, frailty
... Word Origin from asthenes Definition weakness, frailty NASB Word Usage ailments
(1), diseases (1), ill (1), illness (1), infirmities (1), sickness (3 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/769.htm - 7k

Of Defects or Infirmities
... CHAPTER XVIII Of Defects or Infirmities. Of Defects or Infirmities Should
we either wander among externals, or sink into dissipation ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter xviii of defects or.htm

Psalm 90 Part 2 Infirmities and Mortality the Effect of Sin.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 90 PART 2 Infirmities and mortality the effect of
sin. v.8-12 CM. Infirmities and mortality the effect of sin. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 90 part 2 infirmities.htm

May the Seventeenth My Bodily Infirmities
... MAY The Seventeenth MY BODILY INFIRMITIES. JOHN ix.1-12. An infirmity becomes
doubly burdensome when we give it a false interpretation. ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/may the seventeenth my bodily.htm

The Appearance of what Infirmities one who Lives in a Coenobium ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XLI. The appearance of what infirmities one who lives
in a Coenobium ought to exhibit. And that you may be ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xli the appearance of.htm

"Most Gladly Therefore Will I Rather Glory in My Infirmities, that ...
... "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of
Christ may rest upon me." " 2 Cor. 12:9. ... Until the voice of my infirmities. ...
/.../waring/hymns and meditations/most gladly therefore will i.htm

October 22. "Touched with the Feeling of Our Infirmities" (Heb. Iv ...
... OCTOBER 22. "Touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Heb. iv. 15).
"Touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Hebrews 4:15). ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /october 22 touched with the.htm

April 23. "An High Priest Touched with the Feeling of Our ...
... APRIL 23. "An high priest touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Heb. ... 15).
"An high priest touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Hebrews 4:15). ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /april 23 an high priest.htm

Yet You must Arm Yourself with Expectations of their Infirmities
... THE FIRST CENTURY 84 Yet you must arm yourself with expectations of their
infirmities. Yet you must arm yourself with expectations ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/84 yet you must arm.htm

Our Lord Helps Her to Become a Nun. Her Many Infirmities.
... Chapter IV. Our Lord Helps Her to Become a Nun. Her Many Infirmities. 1.
In those days, when I was thus resolved, I had persuaded ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter iv our lord helps.htm

Psalm 90:3. 8 11 9 10 12. 2D Part. CM Infirmities and Mortality ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 90:3. 8 11 9 10 12. 2d Part. CM Infirmities
and mortality the effect of sin; or, Life, old age, and preparation for death. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 90 3 0 8 11 9.htm

Infirmities (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Infirmity. Multi-Version Concordance
Infirmities (17 Occurrences). Matthew 8:17 that it ...
/i/infirmities.htm - 11k

Sicknesses (15 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Matthew 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,
saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. ...
/s/sicknesses.htm - 10k

Infirmity (22 Occurrences)
... British and American) has "diseases," which is a better rendering of the Greek noson,
used here, than the King James Version "infirmities." (2) Imperfections ...
/i/infirmity.htm - 15k

Infirm (25 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am ...
/i/infirm.htm - 13k

Often (74 Occurrences)
... of'-n (puknos, "thick," "close"): An archaic usage for "frequent": "Thine often
infirmities" (1 Timothy 5:23); compare "by often rumination" (Shakespeare, As ...
/o/often.htm - 29k

Strength (517 Occurrences)
... (KJV BBE DBY WBS). Romans 15:1 And we ought -- we who are strong -- to bear the
infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves; (See NAS). ...
/s/strength.htm - 38k

Overshadow (4 Occurrences)
... 12:9 but His reply has been, "My grace suffices for you, for power matures in weakness."
Most gladly therefore will I boast of my infirmities rather than ...
/o/overshadow.htm - 7k

Joanna (3 Occurrences)
... She was one of the "women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities" which
"ministered unto him (King James Version, ie Jesus, or "them" the Revised ...
/j/joanna.htm - 8k

Gathering (71 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:15 But the report concerning him spread much more, and great multitudes came
together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. (See NAS). ...
/g/gathering.htm - 28k

Grievous (73 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 12:10 In fact I take pleasure in infirmities, in the bearing of insults,
in distress, in persecutions, in grievous difficulties--for Christ's sake ...
/g/grievous.htm - 31k

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