In biblical times, the term "invalid" would refer to individuals who were physically incapacitated or suffering from chronic illness, rendering them unable to participate fully in the social and religious life of the community. The Bible provides several accounts of such individuals, highlighting both their struggles and the compassion shown to them by Jesus and others.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament law, as given to Moses, contains various regulations concerning those with physical ailments. Leviticus 21:17-23 outlines restrictions for priests with physical defects, emphasizing the importance of physical wholeness in the performance of priestly duties. However, these laws also underscore the community's responsibility to care for those who are physically impaired, as seen in the broader context of the Mosaic Law, which calls for justice and compassion towards the vulnerable (Deuteronomy 15:7-11).

New Testament Accounts

The New Testament provides numerous examples of Jesus' ministry to the invalids, demonstrating His authority over sickness and His compassion for the suffering. One of the most notable accounts is found in John 5:1-9, where Jesus heals a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years at the Pool of Bethesda. The man had been waiting for healing, unable to enter the pool when the water was stirred. Jesus, seeing his plight, simply commands him, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk" (John 5:8), and the man is immediately healed.

Another significant account is the healing of the paralytic in Capernaum, recorded in Mark 2:1-12. Here, Jesus not only heals the man's physical condition but also addresses his spiritual need by forgiving his sins, demonstrating the holistic nature of His ministry. This act also serves to affirm Jesus' divine authority, as He declares, "The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" (Mark 2:10).

Theological Implications

The healing of invalids in the New Testament is not merely a demonstration of Jesus' miraculous power but also a sign of the coming of God's kingdom, where restoration and wholeness are central themes. These acts of healing point to the ultimate redemption and restoration that believers anticipate in the eschatological fulfillment of God's promises.

Furthermore, the compassion shown by Jesus towards invalids serves as a model for Christian conduct. Believers are called to emulate Christ's love and care for the marginalized and suffering, reflecting the heart of God towards those in need. The early church continued this ministry of compassion, as seen in Acts 3:1-10, where Peter and John heal a man lame from birth, further illustrating the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit through the apostles.

Practical Application

In contemporary Christian practice, the accounts of Jesus healing invalids encourage believers to engage in ministries of healing and compassion. This includes both prayer for physical healing and practical support for those with chronic illnesses or disabilities. The church is called to be a community that embodies the love of Christ, providing support, inclusion, and dignity to all individuals, regardless of their physical condition.1. (a.) Having no force, effect, or efficacy; void; null; as, an invalid contract or agreement.

2. (a.) of no force, weight, or cogency; not valid; weak.

3. (n.) A person who is weak and infirm; one who is disabled for active service; especially, one in chronic ill health.

4. (n.) Not well; feeble; infirm; sickly; as, he had an invalid daughter.

5. (v. t.) To make or render invalid or infirm.

6. (v. t.) To classify or enroll as an invalid.

2673. katargeo -- to render inoperative, abolish
... idle , (" inoperative"); ie being of ( without force, completely brought ); done
away with, cause to and therefore abolish; make invalid, abrogate (bring to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2673.htm - 9k

114. atheteo -- to do away with what has been laid down, set aside
... laid down; to (disregard as spurious); nullify, make void; to break faith (); remove
out of an appointed (proper) place, ie reject as invalid; refuse to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/114.htm - 8k

3761. oude -- and not, neither
... included in 100. Thus if "A" (100 in the previous example) is invalid,
so is what (statement "B" -- 90, 80, 70). [Regardless of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3761.htm - 8k

5565. choris -- separately, separate from
... probably derived from 5561 , "an open or detached space") -- properly, apart from,
separated ("without"); (figuratively) , rendering something invalid or valid ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5565.htm - 7k

Jairus' Daughter and the Invalid Woman.
... Part Fifth. From Second Passover Until Third.(Time: One Year.) LVIII. Jairus'
Daughter and the Invalid Woman. (Capernaum, Same Day as Last.) ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lviii jairus daughter and the.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Add Anything to the Words in which the ...
... If therefore, the sacrament is not rendered invalid by addition or subtraction of
words, in like manner it seems that neither is it, if the words be pronounced ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 29.htm

Persons Converted from the Heresy of those who are Called ...
... Hefele. This synod here declares the baptism of the Montanists invalid, while in
the preceding canon it recognised as valid the baptism of the Novatians and ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon viii persons converted from.htm

On Matrimony
... Let me take an example of a fact that would render the marriage invalid or null
though the persons performing the ceremony might not be aware of it. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 26 on matrimony.htm

The Downfall, 1616-1621.
... The Jesuits had an amazing answer ready. For two reasons, they held, the
Letter of Majesty was invalid. It was invalid because it ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiv the downfall 1616-1621.htm

Biography
... They arrived home at Alderley in time for Christmas. Again in 1861 Susanna had a
serious illness which left her more or less of an invalid for some years. ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/biography.htm

Elliott
... From her thirty-second year until her death, which occurred September 22, 1871,
in her eighty-third year, she was a confirmed invalid and oftentimes a great ...
//christianbookshelf.org/nutter/hymn writers of the church/elliott.htm

The Fulton St. Prayer Meeting.
... He was a profane, hard-drinking man. He has since joined the church. 'All
hail the power of Jesus' name.'". RECOVERY OF AN INVALID. ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the fulton st prayer meeting.htm

Whether the Minister's Intention is Required for the Validity of a ...
... Therefore in this respect the sacrament would be invalid through want of intention.
On the contrary, What is unintentional happens by chance. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the ministers intention is.htm

Whether Children Can Bind Themselves by Vow to Enter Religion?
... vow to enter religion. On the contrary, That which is not done aright is invalid
without being annulled by anyone. But the vow pronounced ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether children can bind themselves.htm

Invalid (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Having no force, effect, or efficacy; void; null; as, an invalid contract
or agreement. ... 5. (vt) To make or render invalid or infirm. ...
/i/invalid.htm - 7k

Nurse (23 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To nourish at the breast; to suckle; to feed and tend, as an infant. 8.
(vt) To take care of or tend, as a sick person or an invalid; to attend upon. ...
/n/nurse.htm - 17k

Nonimmersionist
... baptism must have been performed originally by immersion only, and that the two
other forms of affusion and aspersion or sprinkling are invalid-that there can ...
/n/nonimmersionist.htm - 38k

Non-immersionist
... baptism must have been performed originally by immersion only, and that the two
other forms of affusion and aspersion or sprinkling are invalid-that there can ...
/n/non-immersionist.htm - 38k

Nullify (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (v.) To make void; to render invalid; to deprive of legal
force or efficacy. Multi-Version Concordance Nullify (8 Occurrences). ...
/n/nullify.htm - 8k

Null (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Of no legal or binding force or validity;
Of no efficacy; invalid; void; nugatory; useless. 2. (n ...
/n/null.htm - 7k

Unable (102 Occurrences)
... Luke 13:11 where a woman was present who for eighteen years had been a confirmed
invalid: she was bent double, and was unable to lift herself to her full height ...
/u/unable.htm - 35k

Impatience (1 Occurrence)
... or delay; eagerness for change, or for something expected; restlessness; chafing
of spirit; fretfulness; passion; as, the impatience of a child or an invalid. ...
/i/impatience.htm - 7k

Invading (2 Occurrences)

/i/invading.htm - 7k

Invalidate (1 Occurrence)

/i/invalidate.htm - 6k

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