In biblical times, the term "invalid" refers to individuals who were afflicted with various physical ailments or disabilities, rendering them unable to fully participate in the daily activities of life. The Bible provides several accounts of invalids, highlighting both their struggles and the compassion shown to them by Jesus and others.

Old Testament Context

While the Old Testament does not frequently use the term "invalid," it does address various physical ailments and disabilities. Levitical laws provided guidelines for those with physical imperfections, particularly concerning their participation in religious rituals (Leviticus 21:16-23). These laws underscored the importance of ritual purity but also reflected the challenges faced by those with disabilities in ancient Israelite society.

New Testament Accounts

The New Testament offers more direct references to invalids, particularly in the Gospels, where Jesus' ministry often involved healing the sick and disabled. One of the most notable accounts is found in the Gospel of John, where Jesus heals a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. The man was lying by the Pool of Bethesda, hoping for healing (John 5:1-9):

> "One man there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and realized that he had spent a long time in this condition, He asked him, 'Do you want to get well?' 'Sir,' the invalid replied, 'I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am on my way, someone else goes down before me.' Then Jesus told him, 'Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.' Immediately the man was made well, and he picked up his mat and began to walk."

This passage illustrates not only the physical healing provided by Jesus but also His deep compassion and willingness to restore individuals to wholeness.

Compassion and Healing

The ministry of Jesus is marked by numerous healings of invalids, demonstrating His authority over physical ailments and His compassion for those suffering. In Matthew 9:2-7, Jesus heals a paralytic, emphasizing the connection between physical healing and spiritual forgiveness:

> "Some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, 'Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.' At this, some of the scribes said to themselves, 'This man is blaspheming!' But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, 'Why do you harbor evil in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, "Your sins are forgiven," or to say, "Get up and walk"? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...' Then He said to the paralytic, 'Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.' And the man got up and went home."

This account highlights the holistic nature of Jesus' healing, addressing both physical and spiritual needs.

The Role of Faith

Faith plays a crucial role in the healing of invalids in the New Testament. In many instances, Jesus acknowledges the faith of those seeking healing, as seen in the healing of the paralytic in Capernaum (Mark 2:1-12) and the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-34). These accounts emphasize the importance of faith in receiving healing and restoration.

The Early Church

The early Christian community continued the ministry of healing, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles. Peter and John healed a man lame from birth at the temple gate called Beautiful (Acts 3:1-10), demonstrating the ongoing power of Jesus' name to heal and restore.

Conclusion

The biblical accounts of invalids reveal a consistent theme of compassion, faith, and divine intervention. Through these narratives, the Bible underscores the value and dignity of every individual, regardless of physical condition, and the transformative power of faith and divine healing.

Prayers Answered
... A lady, who had led for many years a life of faith, caring for orphans and invalids,
was led one day in thought to wish that she might devote all her money to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/prayers answered.htm

Miracles of Healing Unsolicited.
... To refuse is to destroy the gift. His cure is not for such as choose to be
invalids. ... Who but invalids need like miracles wrought in them? ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/iv miracles of healing unsolicited.htm

The Battle of Thermopylae.
... Leonidas retains the Thebans."Xerxes attacks him."Terrible combat."Death of
Leonidas."Stories of the battle."The two invalids."Xerxes views the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter ix the battle of.htm

Of Patience Generally; and Tertullian's Own Unworthiness to Treat ...
... And so to discuss about that which it is not given one to enjoy, will be, as it
were, a solace; after the manner of invalids, who since they are without health ...
/.../tertullian/of patience/chapter i of patience generally and.htm

On Smart Novelists and the Smart Set
... weak. Nietzsche, on the other hand, attributes to the strong man that scorn
against weakness which only exists among invalids. It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xv on smart novelists and.htm

Healed by Divine Power
... As he and I were the invalids of the family, we naturally sympathized a great deal
with each other, opened our hearts to each other, shared all our troubles ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter ix healed by divine.htm

The Fifth Word from the Cross
... This is the besetting sin of invalids"to become absorbed in their own miseries
and to make all about them the slaves of their caprices. ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xviii the fifth word.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... The ship was crowded with passengers, most of whom were poor consumptive individuals
and other invalids, fleeing from the cold blasts of England's winter to ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 16.htm

Letter vii. --A Holy Community.
... They replied that there were hardly ever any invalids amongst them, and that
very few died young, most of them living to be over eighty. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter vii a holy community.htm

Tarbula, the Sister of Symeon, and Her Martyrdom.
... As invalids easily give credit to the most repulsive representations, the queen
believed the charge, and especially because it emanated from the Jews, since ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xii tarbula the sister of.htm

Invalids (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Invalids (2 Occurrences). Mark 6:13 Many demons they expelled,
and many invalids they anointed with oil and cured. (WEY). ...
/i/invalids.htm - 6k

Invasion (1 Occurrence)

/i/invasion.htm - 7k

Invalidating (1 Occurrence)

/i/invalidating.htm - 6k

Teraphim (14 Occurrences)
... sent by Saul to seize David, Michal his wife prepared one of the household teraphim,
putting on it the goat's-hair cap worn by sleepers and invalids, and laid ...
/t/teraphim.htm - 13k

Expelled (16 Occurrences)
... seen in Israel." (WEY). Mark 6:13 Many demons they expelled, and many invalids
they anointed with oil and cured. (WEY). Mark 16:9 ...
/e/expelled.htm - 11k

Pergamos (1 Occurrence)
... To the temple of the latter, invalids from all parts of Asia flocked, and there,
while they were sleeping in the court, the god revealed to the priests and ...
/p/pergamos.htm - 12k

Pergamum (2 Occurrences)
... To the temple of the latter, invalids from all parts of Asia flocked, and there,
while they were sleeping in the court, the god revealed to the priests and ...
/p/pergamum.htm - 12k

Cured (62 Occurrences)
... cured them; and (WEY). Mark 6:13 Many demons they expelled, and many invalids
they anointed with oil and cured. (WEY). Mark 10:52 ...
/c/cured.htm - 23k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus