The term "infirm" refers to a state of physical or mental weakness, often associated with illness or disability. In the biblical context, infirmity is frequently mentioned in relation to the healing miracles of Jesus Christ and the compassionate response of God towards human suffering.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, infirmities are often seen as a consequence of sin or disobedience, yet they also provide an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power and mercy. For instance, in Deuteronomy 28:27-29, infirmities are listed among the curses for disobedience to God's commandments. However, the Old Testament also emphasizes God's role as a healer. In Exodus 15:26, God declares, "I am the LORD who heals you," highlighting His willingness to restore health to His people.

New Testament Context

The New Testament presents a more direct engagement with infirmities through the ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus' healing of the infirm is a central aspect of His earthly ministry, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion. In Matthew 8:16-17 , it is written, "When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Him, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'He took on our infirmities and carried our diseases.'"

The Gospels record numerous instances where Jesus heals those with various infirmities, such as the paralytic (Mark 2:1-12), the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-34), and the blind man (John 9:1-12). These miracles not only reveal Jesus' compassion but also serve as signs of the coming Kingdom of God, where there will be no more suffering or pain.

Apostolic Teachings

The apostles continued the healing ministry of Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit. In Acts 3:1-10, Peter and John heal a man lame from birth, demonstrating the ongoing power of Jesus' name to overcome infirmities. The apostle Paul also speaks of infirmities in the context of spiritual strength. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 , Paul writes, "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Theological Implications

Infirmities in the Bible are not merely physical ailments but are often used to illustrate spiritual truths. They remind believers of human frailty and the need for divine intervention. The healing of infirmities by Jesus and the apostles serves as a foretaste of the ultimate redemption and restoration promised in the eschatological hope of Christianity. The presence of infirmities in the world is a reminder of the fallen state of creation, yet they also provide an opportunity for God's glory to be revealed through healing and grace.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to respond to infirmities with faith and prayer, seeking God's healing and comfort. James 5:14-15 instructs, "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick. The Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven." This passage underscores the importance of community support and the power of prayer in addressing infirmities.

In summary, the biblical perspective on infirmity encompasses both the physical and spiritual dimensions, offering hope and assurance of God's presence and power in the midst of human weakness.1. (a.) Weak; feeble; bedridden; as, an infirm body; an infirm constitution.

2. (a.) Weak of mind or will; irresolute; vacillating.

3. (a.) Not solid or stable; insecure; precarious.

4. (v. t.) To weaken; to enfeeble.

732. arrostos -- not strong, ie feeble, sickly
... not strong, ie feeble, sickly. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: arrostos
Phonetic Spelling: (ar'-hroce-tos) Short Definition: infirm, sick, ill ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/732.htm - 7k

772. asthenes -- without strength, weak
... without strength, weak. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: asthenes Phonetic
Spelling: (as-then-ace') Short Definition: weak, infirm, sick Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/772.htm - 8k

3486. yashesh -- aged, decrepit
... 3485, 3486. yashesh. 3487 . aged, decrepit. Transliteration: yashesh
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-shaysh') Short Definition: infirm. ...
/hebrew/3486.htm - 5k

Cure of the Infirm Woman on the Sabbath; the Pharisees ...
... Section 170. Cure of the Infirm Woman on the Sabbath; the Pharisees disconcerted.
(Luke, xiii., 10.)"Of the Dropsical Man. (Luke, xiv.). ...
/.../section 170 cure of the.htm

How Samuel when He was So Infirm with Old Age that He could not ...
... CHAPTER 3. How Samuel When He Was So Infirm With Old Age That He Could Not Take
Care Of The Public Affairs Intrusted Them To His Sons; And How Upon The Evil ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how samuel when.htm

It is no Extravagance, or Overstraining the Matter, when we Say...
... It is often said, that we are poor, infirm men, and not angels; and therefore
must be content with the poverty and infirmity of human virtues. ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-1-31 it is no extravagance.htm

Valentinus, Ptolemy and Secundus, Heracleon.
... Hence he made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and whatever is in them: for
which cause all things made by him are infirm, and frail, and capable of ...
/.../tertullian/against all heresies/chapter iv valentinus ptolemy and secundus.htm

Thus Far I have Made Answer About My Crimes, and Indeed in Defence ...
... after having been so long in coming to them; and also if he had not become somewhat
less robust through his long and toilsome journey, and too infirm to begin ...
/.../1 thus far i have.htm

There Also is Said at what Work the Apostle Wrought. ...
... be convicted, must be left unto God: yet neither of them fixeth a pernicious rule;
because a good servant of God both serves his manifestly infirm brother; and ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 22 there also is.htm

Another Account of the Strange Aberrations of Sophia, and the ...
... natural impulse of an ??on, although without form or shape, inasmuch as it had
apprehended nothing, and therefore was pronounced to be an infirm and feminine ...
/.../tertullian/against the valentinians/chapter x another account of the.htm

The Fourth Homily. On the Holy Theophany, or on Christ's Baptism.
... restored by the creature. The infirm is healed by the physician, and the
physician is not cured by the infirm. The poor man receives ...
/.../the fourth homily on the.htm

Our Bodies, However Mutilated Before or after Death, Shall Recover ...
... is a corpse? When is a man more infirm, than when he is entirely infirm?
When more palsied, than when quite motionless? Thus, for ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter lvii our bodies however mutilated.htm

This Perverse Doctrine Deprives Baptism of all Its Grace if ...
... Why then impose sanctity upon our most infirm and most unworthy flesh, either as
a burden or as a glory? ... Why burden the infirm, or glorify the unworthy? ...
/.../chapter xxviii this perverse doctrine deprives.htm

Infirm (25 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Weak; feeble; bedridden; as, an infirm body; an
infirm constitution. ... Multi-Version Concordance Infirm (25 Occurrences). ...
/i/infirm.htm - 13k

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

Fired (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Fired (3 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 11:29 Who is infirm,
and I am not infirm? who is stumbled, and I am not fired; (YLT). ...
/f/fired.htm - 7k

Casting (54 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Matthew 10:8 infirm ones be healing, lepers be cleansing, dead be raising,
demons be casting out -- freely ye did receive, freely give. (YLT). ...
/c/casting.htm - 22k

Whenever (123 Occurrences)
... 12:10 wherefore I am well pleased in infirmities, in damages, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses -- for Christ; for whenever I am infirm, then I am ...
/w/whenever.htm - 36k

Infirmities (17 Occurrences)

/i/infirmities.htm - 11k

Infinitude

/i/infinitude.htm - 12k

Nurse (23 Occurrences)
... suckles an infant not her own. (b) A person, especially a woman, who has
the care of the sick or infirm. 2. (n.) One who, or that ...
/n/nurse.htm - 17k

Unsound (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not sound; not whole; not solid; defective; infirm;
diseased. Multi-Version Concordance Unsound (1 Occurrence). ...
/u/unsound.htm - 6k

Ones (687 Occurrences)
... Matthew 10:8 infirm ones be healing, lepers be cleansing, dead be raising, demons
be casting out -- freely ye did receive, freely give. (YLT). ...
/o/ones.htm - 35k

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