Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, the term "impotent" is often used to describe individuals who are physically weak or disabled, lacking strength or power. This condition is frequently depicted in the New Testament, where Jesus performs miracles of healing, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion.Biblical References: 1. John 5:2-9 : One of the most notable accounts of an impotent man is found in the Gospel of John. At the Pool of Bethesda, a multitude of disabled individuals, including the blind, lame, and paralyzed, awaited healing. Among them was a man who had been impotent for thirty-eight years. Jesus, seeing him lying there and knowing his long-term condition, asked, "Do you want to get well?" The man explained that he had no one to help him into the pool when the water was stirred. Jesus then commanded him, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk." Immediately, the man was healed, took up his mat, and walked. This miracle not only restored the man's physical ability but also served as a testament to Jesus' power over infirmity. 2. Acts 3:1-10 : Another significant instance is the healing of the lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful. Peter and John encountered a man who had been lame from birth, begging for alms. Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, declared, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!" The man was instantly healed, leaping up and praising God. This miracle, performed in the name of Jesus, affirmed the apostles' authority and the power of faith in Christ. Theological Significance: The healing of impotent individuals in the Bible underscores several key theological themes: · Divine Compassion and Authority: Jesus' willingness to heal the impotent reflects His deep compassion for human suffering and His authority over physical ailments. These miracles are signs of the inbreaking of God's kingdom, where restoration and wholeness are realized. · Faith and Obedience: The accounts often highlight the role of faith and obedience in the process of healing. The impotent man's response to Jesus' command to "get up" and the lame man's reaction to Peter's declaration demonstrate the importance of trusting in God's power and acting upon His word. · Spiritual Symbolism: Physical impotence can also symbolize spiritual weakness or inability. Just as Jesus heals physical infirmities, He offers spiritual healing and strength to those who recognize their need and turn to Him in faith. · Witness to the Gospel: The miraculous healings serve as powerful testimonies to the truth of the Gospel. They draw attention to the message of salvation and the transformative power of Jesus Christ, leading many to faith and glorifying God. In summary, the biblical portrayal of impotent individuals and their healing is a profound demonstration of God's love, power, and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. These narratives invite believers to trust in God's ability to restore and renew, both physically and spiritually. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) Not potent; lacking power, strength, or vigor, whether physical, intellectual, or moral; deficient in capacity; destitute of force; weak; feeble; infirm.2. (a.) Wanting the power of self-restraint; uncontrolled; ungovernable; violent. 3. (a.) Wanting the power of procreation; unable to copulate; also, sometimes, sterile; barren. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia IMPOTENTim'-po-tent (astheneo, adunatos): The verb signifies "to be without strength," and derivatives of it are used in John 5:3, 7 the King James Version and Acts 4:9 to characterize the paralyzed man at Bethesda and the cripple at the Temple gate. For the same condition of the Lystra lame man the word adunatos is used, which is synonymous. In these cases it is the weakness of disease. In this sense the word is used by Shakespeare (Love's Labor Lost, V, ii, 864; Hamlet, I, ii, 29). The impotent folk referred to in the Epistle of Jeremy (Baruch 6:28) were those weak and feeble from age and want; compare "impotent and snail-paced beggary" (Richard III, IV, iii, 53). Greek 193. akrates -- powerless, impotent ... powerless, impotent. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: akrates Phonetic Spelling: (ak-rat'-ace) Short Definition: lacking self-control, inclined to ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/193.htm - 7k 770. astheneo -- to be weak, feeble 102. adunatos -- unable, powerless 772. asthenes -- without strength, weak 3499. nekroo -- to put to death 2135. eunouchos -- a eunuch Strong's Hebrew 3808. lo -- not... 1), cheaply* (1), disregarded* (1), except (1), failed* (1), false* (1), futile* (1), gone (1), ignorant* (1), illiterate* (1), impotent* (1), incapable* (1 ... /hebrew/3808.htm - 7k 3524. kabbir -- great, mighty, much Library August the Twenty-Fifth Impotent Enemies Again in John v. 2, Etc. , on the Five Porches, Where Lay a Great ... More than Conquerors Whether a Spell Can be an Impediment to Marriage? The Third Miracle in John's Gospel Jesus Life-Giver and Judge. Paul and Barnabas in Lystra. "O Wretched Man that I Am!" Wilt Thou be Made Whole? At the Unknown' Feast in Jerusalem, and by the Pool of Bethesda. Thesaurus Impotent (5 Occurrences)... 3. (a.) Wanting the power of procreation; unable to copulate; also, sometimes, sterile; barren. 4. (n.) One who is impotent. Int. ...IMPOTENT. ... /i/impotent.htm - 9k Unable (102 Occurrences) Omnipotence (2 Occurrences) Womb (84 Occurrences) Withered (46 Occurrences) Walked (178 Occurrences) Imposture (1 Occurrence) Impoverish (3 Occurrences) Impossible (31 Occurrences) Folk (9 Occurrences) Resources What is the definition of idolatry? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is truth? | GotQuestions.org What is Plantinga's free will defense, and how does it address the problem of evil? | GotQuestions.org Impotent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Impotent (5 Occurrences)John 5:3 John 5:7 Acts 4:9 Acts 14:8 Isaiah 16:14 Subtopics Related Terms |