The term "disabled" refers to individuals who experience physical, mental, or sensory impairments that may limit their ability to perform certain activities or interact with the world around them. In the context of the Bible, disability is addressed in various ways, reflecting both the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and the compassionate response encouraged among believers.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, disabilities are often mentioned in the context of physical impairments. For example, Leviticus 21:16-23 outlines restrictions for priests with physical defects, emphasizing the importance of physical wholeness in the priestly service. However, these regulations are not indicative of a lack of worth or dignity for those with disabilities but rather reflect the ceremonial requirements of the time.

The account of Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan and grandson of King Saul, provides a poignant example of disability in the Old Testament. Mephibosheth was "lame in both feet" (2 Samuel 9:3) due to an accident in his childhood. Despite his disability, King David showed him kindness for the sake of Jonathan, restoring his family's land and inviting him to eat at the king's table (2 Samuel 9:7). This narrative highlights the value of compassion and inclusion.

New Testament Context

The New Testament presents a transformative view of disability through the ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus frequently healed individuals with various disabilities, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion. In Matthew 11:5 , Jesus describes His ministry: "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." These miracles not only restored physical abilities but also served as signs of the coming Kingdom of God.

In John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind, challenging the prevailing belief that disability was a direct result of personal or parental sin. Jesus declares, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God would be displayed in him" (John 9:3). This statement shifts the focus from blame to the potential for God's glory to be revealed through disability.

The early church continued this ministry of compassion and inclusion. In Acts 3, Peter and John heal a man lame from birth, emphasizing the power of Jesus' name and the continuation of His work through the apostles. The early Christian community is characterized by mutual care and support, as seen in Acts 2:44-45 : "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need."

Theological Implications

Theologically, disability in the Bible underscores the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The presence of disability in the biblical narrative invites believers to reflect on themes of suffering, redemption, and the hope of restoration. The promise of a new creation, where "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4), offers ultimate hope for those experiencing disability.

The biblical call to love and serve one another (Galatians 5:13) extends to all, including those with disabilities. The church is encouraged to be a community of inclusion, where each member is valued and has a role to play in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:22-26). This perspective challenges believers to advocate for and support individuals with disabilities, reflecting the love and compassion of Christ in tangible ways.(imp. & p. p.) of Disable.1311. diaphtheiro -- to destroy utterly, to spoil, corrupt
... corrupt, degenerate (disintegrate); waste away by the decaying influence of moral
(spiritual) impurity; " corrupt"; becoming disabled (morally depraved), "all ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1311.htm - 8k

Of Meditation: the First and Lowest Degree of Internal Prayer. ...
... less apt for meditation than men, and, by consequence, more fit for the more perfect
exercises of the will, by reason that they are more disabled in judgment ...
/.../chapter ii of meditation the.htm

The Form of Concord, Concluded.
... Art. II. Of Free Will."Man, in consequence of Adam's fall, has lost the divine image,
is spiritually blind, disabled, dead, and even hostile to God, and can ...
/.../creeds of christendom with a history and critical notes/ 46 the form of.htm

Moral Depravity.
... From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and
made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxiii moral depravity.htm

"For what the Law could not Do, in that it was Weak through the ...
... Sin entering upon man, utterly disabled him; and because the strength of that covenant
consisted in that mutual and joint concurrence of God's promise and ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon x for what the.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... The Uruk incident and outbreak of the war between Karduniash, Elam, and Assyria;
Elam disabled by domestic discords"Siege and capture of Babylon; Assur-bani ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria.htm

Ophites, Cainites, Sethites.
... of a second ??on with inferior ??ons; and afterwards, when he [8361] had been desirous
of forcing his way into the higher regions, had been disabled by the ...
/.../tertullian/against all heresies/chapter ii ophites cainites sethites.htm

Preparing to Depart
... It has always seemed to us to be the preferable way of leaving this world, not to
be long sick and disabled, a weariness to those who nurse us, and a torment ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/preparing to depart.htm

Preface
... There are, however, several instances where the writer's enthusiasm and personal
opinions have led him to unguarded language, or disabled him from realizing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolt/dionysius the areopagite/preface.htm

Essay iv. The Generous Spirit, Who, when Brought among the Tasks ...
... Some years after, both their ships being together close off Minorca and near Port
Mahon, a violent storm nearly disabled Lord Nelson's vessel, and in addition ...
/.../confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/essay iv the generous spirit.htm

The Epistles of St. Paul
... the 2nd century, and the impossibility of finding any one who had the genius to
personate the great apostle, are two things which have disabled fancy-criticism ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter viii the epistles of.htm

Disabled (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Disable. Multi-Version Concordance
Disabled (3 Occurrences). Matthew 19:12 There are men ...
/d/disabled.htm - 7k

Dirty (9 Occurrences)

/d/dirty.htm - 9k

Heavens (548 Occurrences)
... Matthew 19:12 There are men who from their birth have been disabled from marriage,
others who have been so disabled by men, and others who have disabled...
/h/heavens.htm - 49k

Jaw (6 Occurrences)
... teeth (malta`oth, "jaw teeth") of the young lions, O Yahweh." Let the wicked be
deprived of their ability for evil; let them at least be disabled from mischief ...
/j/jaw.htm - 11k

Jawbone (3 Occurrences)
... teeth (malta`oth, "jaw teeth") of the young lions, O Yahweh." Let the wicked be
deprived of their ability for evil; let them at least be disabled from mischief ...
/j/jawbone.htm - 10k

Lame (35 Occurrences)
... or muscle. 2. (superl.) To some degree disabled by reason of the imperfect
action of a limb; crippled; as, a lame man. 3. (superl ...
/l/lame.htm - 21k

Wreck (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) The destruction or injury of a vessel by being cast on shore, or on rocks,
or by being disabled or sunk by the force of winds or waves; shipwreck. ...
/w/wreck.htm - 8k

Invalid (3 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/i/invalid.htm - 7k

Fetter (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A chain or shackle for the feet; a chain by which an animal is confined
by the foot, either made fast or disabled from free and rapid motion; a bond; a ...
/f/fetter.htm - 8k

Temperate (6 Occurrences)
... seem beyond right reason." Basil: "To avoid excess on both sides, so as neither
by luxury to be confused, nor, by becoming sickly, to be disabled from doing ...
/t/temperate.htm - 12k

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