Impair
Jump to: Webster'sConcordanceThesaurusLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "impair" in the Bible is not directly mentioned by the term itself, but the idea of impairment—whether physical, spiritual, or moral—can be found throughout the Scriptures. Impairment often refers to a weakening or diminishing of strength, function, or integrity, and the Bible addresses various forms of impairment and their implications for individuals and communities.

Physical Impairment

Physical impairments are frequently mentioned in the Bible, often in the context of healing and divine intervention. Jesus' ministry was marked by numerous healings of those with physical impairments, demonstrating His compassion and authority. For example, in Matthew 9:27-30 , Jesus heals two blind men: "As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out, 'Have mercy on us, Son of David!' When He had gone indoors, the blind men came to Him, and He asked them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' 'Yes, Lord,' they answered. Then He touched their eyes and said, 'According to your faith will it be done to you.' And their eyes were opened."

The Old Testament also addresses physical impairments, often in the context of the Levitical laws. Leviticus 21:17-23 outlines restrictions for priests with physical defects, emphasizing the importance of holiness and purity in worship: "Speak to Aaron, saying: None of your descendants throughout their generations who has a defect may approach to offer the food of his God. No man who has any defect may approach: no man who is blind, lame, disfigured, or deformed..."

Spiritual Impairment

Spiritual impairment is a significant theme in the Bible, often depicted as a result of sin and disobedience to God. The fall of humanity in Genesis 3 illustrates the spiritual impairment that entered the world through sin, resulting in separation from God. Romans 3:23 states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," highlighting the universal nature of spiritual impairment.

The Bible provides a remedy for spiritual impairment through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Acts 3:19 calls for repentance: "Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away." Through Christ's atoning sacrifice, believers are restored to spiritual wholeness and reconciled to God.

Moral Impairment

Moral impairment is addressed in the Bible as a deviation from God's righteous standards. The prophets frequently called out the moral failings of Israel, urging the people to return to God's ways. Isaiah 1:4 laments, "Oh, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children of corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him."

The New Testament continues this theme, urging believers to live lives of moral integrity. Ephesians 4:22-24 instructs, "You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Restoration and Hope

The Bible offers hope and restoration for all forms of impairment. God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ provides healing and renewal. Revelation 21:4 promises a future without impairment: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away."

In summary, while the Bible does not use the term "impair" explicitly, it addresses the concept through various narratives and teachings, offering guidance, healing, and hope for those experiencing physical, spiritual, or moral impairments.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (v. t.) To make worse; to diminish in quantity, value, excellence, or strength; to deteriorate; as, to impair vision, character, the mind, value.

2. (v. t.) To grow worse; to deteriorate.

3. (a.) Not fit or appropriate.

4. (n.) Diminution; injury.

Library

Letter cxix. To Maximus, Bishop of Antioch, by the Hand of Marian ...
... the privileges of the third See in Christendom [485] give you every confidence in
action, privileges which no intrigues shall in any way impair: because my ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter cxix to maximus bishop.htm

On Mourning for the Dead
... If we confine it to this particular occasion, it does not impair, but greatly assist,
our imperfect reason; pain, either of body or mind, acting quicker than ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 135 on mourning for.htm

The Use of Money
... induce us to enter into, or to continue in, any employ, which is of such a kind,
or is attended with so hard or so long labour, as to impair our constitution. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 50 the use of.htm

The Notion of Inability.
... This difficulty cannot really impair the liberty of the will. If it could, it would
destroy, or so far impair, moral agency and accountability. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxiii the notion of.htm

Attributes of Selfishness.
... in sleeping; others in lounging and idleness.' others are gossippers; others love
exercise, and indulge that propensity others study and impair health, and ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xviii attributes of selfishness.htm

Introduction
... This, however, does not impair the value of the separate parts, each division being
complete in itself; and we cannot but rejoice that, as he was not permitted ...
/.../the epistle of paul to the philippians practically explained/introduction.htm

Introductory Notice.
... of technical theology, and enables those who have little sympathy with them to set
them one against another on some points, and so to impair their value as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on the pallium/introductory notice.htm

Christian Morals. Part I.
... HE that is chast and continent not to impair his strength, or honest for
fear of contagion, will hardly be heroically virtuous. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/christian morals part i.htm

Of Uncharitable Truth.
... to be of a lower form of guilt than the former, yet as to the kind, they equally
agree in the definition of Detraction, since tis possible to impair a man's ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section vi of uncharitable truth.htm

When Therefore the Faithful Mother of a Faithful Son Departed ...
... For this thing, which with savage rage was done to the bodies of Martyrs, if it
could any whit hurt them, to impair the blessed resting of their most ...
/.../augustine/on care to be had for the dead /7 when therefore the faithful.htm

Thesaurus
Impair (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To make worse; to diminish in quantity, value, excellence, or strength;
to deteriorate; as, to impair vision, character, the mind, value. ...
/i/impair.htm - 7k

Injure (16 Occurrences)
... (vt) To do harm to; to impair the excellence ... (c) To slander, tarnish, or impair,
as reputation or character. (d) To impair or diminish, as happiness or virtue. ...
/i/injure.htm - 11k

Waste (668 Occurrences)
... 5. (v.) To wear away by degrees; to impair gradually; to diminish by constant
loss; to use up; to consume; to spend; to wear out. ...
/w/waste.htm - 37k

Wear (56 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To impair, waste, or diminish, by continual attrition, scraping, percussion,
on the like; to consume gradually; to cause to lower or disappear; to spend ...
/w/wear.htm - 25k

Imnites (1 Occurrence)

/i/imnites.htm - 7k

Impaired (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Impair. Multi-Version Concordance
Impaired (1 Occurrence). Ezra 4:13 Be it known now unto ...
/i/impaired.htm - 6k

Fret (9 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To impair; to wear away; to diminish. 5. (vt) To make rough, agitate, or
disturb; to cause to ripple; as, to fret the surface of water. ...
/f/fret.htm - 13k

Rust (7 Occurrences)
... 10. (vt) To cause to contract rust; to corrode with rust; to affect with rust
of any kind. 11. (vt) To impair by time and inactivity. Int. ...
/r/rust.htm - 11k

Reduce (13 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) To bring to any inferior state, with respect to rank, size, quantity, quality,
value, etc.; to diminish; to lower; to degrade; to impair; as, to reduce ...
/r/reduce.htm - 11k

Ruin (135 Occurrences)
... To bring to ruin; to cause to fall to pieces and decay; to make to perish; to bring
to destruction; to bring to poverty or bankruptcy; to impair seriously; to ...
/r/ruin.htm - 37k

Resources
What does it mean to guard your heart? | GotQuestions.org

Medical marijuana - what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to grow in grace? | GotQuestions.org

Impair: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Impacting the World for Christ
Top of Page
Top of Page