Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextIllness, in the biblical context, refers to a state of physical or mental unwellness that affects individuals. It is often seen as a consequence of living in a fallen world, where sin has introduced suffering and imperfection into human existence. The Bible addresses illness in various ways, including its causes, responses to it, and the hope for healing.
Causes of IllnessThe Bible presents multiple perspectives on the causes of illness. In some instances, illness is depicted as a direct result of sin or disobedience. For example, in
Deuteronomy 28:58-61, God warns the Israelites that if they do not obey His commandments, He will bring upon them "extraordinary plagues, severe and lasting plagues, and miserable and chronic sicknesses."
However, not all illness is attributed to personal sin. The account of Job illustrates that suffering and illness can occur even to the righteous. Job's afflictions were not due to his own wrongdoing but were part of a divine test (Job 1-2). Similarly, in
John 9:1-3, when Jesus heals a man born blind, He clarifies that the man's blindness was not due to his sin or his parents' sin, but so that "the works of God might be displayed in him."
Responses to IllnessThe Bible encourages various responses to illness, including prayer, faith, and seeking medical help.
James 5:14-15 advises, "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 use of medical remedies is also acknowledged. In
Isaiah 38:21, a poultice of figs is applied to King Hezekiah's boil as part of his healing process. The Apostle Paul advises Timothy to "use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments" (
1 Timothy 5:23), indicating an understanding of practical health measures.
Healing and MiraclesHealing is a significant theme in the Bible, with numerous accounts of miraculous healings performed by Jesus and the apostles. Jesus' ministry was marked by acts of healing, demonstrating His compassion and divine authority.
Matthew 4:23 states, "Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people."
The apostles continued this ministry of healing, as seen in
Acts 3:6-8, where Peter heals a lame man at the temple gate. These miracles served as signs of the coming Kingdom of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Suffering and God's SovereigntyWhile the Bible acknowledges the reality of illness, it also emphasizes God's sovereignty and purpose in suffering.
Romans 8:28 assures believers that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." Illness can be a means through which individuals grow in faith, develop perseverance, and experience God's grace.
The ultimate hope for believers is the promise of a future where there will be no more sickness or pain.
Revelation 21:4 offers this assurance: "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."
ConclusionThe Bible provides a comprehensive view of illness, acknowledging its presence in the world while offering hope and guidance for those who suffer. Through faith, prayer, and the promise of eternal healing, believers are encouraged to trust in God's plan and His ultimate victory over all forms of suffering.
Topical Bible Verses
Psalm 34:17-20The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
Topicalbible.orgRevelation 21:1-7
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
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Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
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Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
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John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
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Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed you in the belly I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you, and I ordained you a prophet to the nations.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The condition of being ill, evil, or bad; badness; unfavorableness.
2. (n.) Disease; indisposition; malady; disorder of health; sickness; as, a short or a severe illness.
3. (n.) Wrong moral conduct; wickedness.
Greek
4912. sunecho -- to hold together, to hold fast, pass. to be...... to be seized (by
illness). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sunecho Phonetic
Spelling: (soon-ekh'-o) Short Definition: I press together, confine, compel
...769. astheneia -- weakness, frailty
... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: astheneia Phonetic Spelling:
(as-then'-i-ah) Short Definition: want of strength, weakness,illness Definition:...
3119. malakia -- softness, weakness
... weakness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: malakia Phonetic Spelling:
(mal-ak-ee'-ah) Short Definition: weakness,illness Definition: weakness...
732. arrostos -- not strong, ie feeble, sickly
... 732 (from 1 , "not" and 4517 , "leave, depart") -- properly, aillness -- literally,
one "that will"; ill-health. Word Origin from alpha (as a neg....
3553. nosema -- sickness
... Cognate: 3553 (a neuter noun derived from 3554 , "a chronicillness") -- a disease
(sickness) viewed in terms of its (especially mental torment)....
2323. therapeuo -- to serve, cure
... I heal. 2323 -- properly, , reversing a physical condition to restore a person
having anillness (disease, infirmity). [2323 (), the...
2322. therapeia -- attention, medical service
... Cognate: 2322 -- healing, focusing on the reversal of the physical condition (illness,
disease) itself carrying the responsibility of fully serving the Lord...
Strong's Hebrew
1741. devay --illness... 1740, 1741. devay. 1742 .
illness. Transliteration: devay Phonetic Spelling:
(dev-ah'ee) Short Definition: loathsome. Word Origin
...2483. choli -- sickness
... Word Origin from chalah Definition sickness NASB Word Usage affliction (1), disease
(2), grief (1), griefs (1),illness (3), sick (1), sickness (14...
Library
Illness from Changes in the Weather
...Illness from Changes in the Weather. In the spring of 1853 he suffered much
from the variableness of the season. The mode in which...
Kalli'sIllness and Death
... Kalli'sIllness and Death. With respect to the fatal attack under which
he soon sunk, it has to be mentioned, that he had gone out...
Illness and Death of Theodosius the Elder.
... Book V. Chapter XXVI."Illness and Death of Theodosius the Elder. The
Emperor Theodosius was in consequence of the anxiety and...
Illness and Patience of the Saint. The Story of a Priest whom She...
... Chapter V.Illness and Patience of the Saint. The Story of a Priest Whom
She Rescued from a Life of Sin. 1. I forgot to say how, in...
A Hymn on Recovery from SevereIllness
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCIII A HYMN ON RECOVERY FROM SEVERE
ILLNESS. C. Smart. When Israel's ruler on the royal bed....
Letter i. --Rules to be Observed inIllness.
... FIFTH BOOK: FRESH TRIALS, SUFFERINGS AND PRIVATIONS. Letter I."Rules to be Observed
inIllness. Onillness and its uses. Rules to be observed....
Death of Martha Yeardley, and John Yeardley's Journey to Norway.
... The following memorandum, touchingly descriptive of herillness and death, was
penned by her bereaved husband, probably soon after her decease....
Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel
... Visit from John Kirkham Liverpool Quarterly Meeting Public meeting at Wray Visit
of Ann Jones Journey to Leeds Death of Joseph WoodIllness of Elizabeth...
Also this Holy Hermit, Richard, Out of the Abundance of his...
... who had once been a recluse at Auderby in the diocese of York, on the very day of
the Lord's Supper was so overcome by a grave attack ofillness that for...
Pious Little Peter.
... PETER MELVILLE, from the commencement of hisillness, received much satisfaction
from reading the Bible and other serious books; and after the first month or...
Thesaurus
Illness (15 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) Disease; indisposition; malady; disorder of health; sickness; as, a short
or a severe
illness.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Illness (15 Occurrences).
...Sickness (40 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The quality or state of being sick or diseased;
illness; disease or malady. 2. (n.) Nausea; qualmishness...
Sick (117 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Affected with disease of any kind;
ill; indisposed; not in health. SeeIllness. 2. (superl...
Adonijah (28 Occurrences)
... 14:28; Ant, VII, ix, 1). In the year following David's fortieth year there was ample
room for the rebellions of Absalom and of Sheba, theillness of David, the...
Hezekiah (124 Occurrences)
... That was also the year of Hezekiah's deadlyillness (2 Kings 20 Isaiah 38), when
for a time we know not how long he would be incapacitated for active...
Ill (137 Occurrences)
... Luke 4:40 At sunset all who had friends suffering from anyillness brought them
to Him, and He laid His hands on them all, one by one, and cured them....
Nebuchadnezzar (90 Occurrences)
... to the effect that it was presented by Nebuchadnezzar to the great temple at Borsippa
as a votive offering on account of his recovery from a terribleillness....
Qualm (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A sudden feeling ofillness, faintness, or
nausea; an agony. 2. (n.) Sickness; disease; pestilence; death....
Longing (40 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Philippians 2:26 I send him because he is longing to see you all and is
distressed at your having heard of hisillness. (WEY DBY YLT NAS RSV)....
Gershom (16 Occurrences)
... Exodus 2:22; 18:3). On his way to Egypt with his family, in obedience to the command
of the Lord, Moses was attacked by a sudden and dangerousillness (4:24-26...
Resources
What does the Bible say about Bipolar Disorder / Manic Depression? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about dissociative identity disorder? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about hypochondria or being a hypochondriac? | GotQuestions.orgIllness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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