HEALING [isbe]
HEALING - hel'-ing (marpe', te`alah, kehah): In the Old Testament this word is always used in its figurative sense; marpe', which literally means "a cure," is used in Jer 14:19 twice, and in Mal 4:2; te`alah, which literally means "an irrigation canal," here means something applied externally, as a plaster, in which sense it is used metaphorically in Jer 30:13; kehah occurs only in Nah 3:19 the King James Version and is translated "assuagings" in the Revised Version (British and American).In the New Testament 5 times the verb is therapeuo; once (Acts 10:38) iaomai; in the other passages it is either iama, as in 1 Cor 12:9-30, or iasis, as in Acts 4:22, derivatives from this verb
HEALING [bridgeway]
Ultimately God is the only one who can heal, because he is the only one who can undo the effects of sin. Sickness and suffering are characteristics of a world that has been spoiled by sin (Gen 3:16-19), and healing is part of God’s gracious work in caring for his wayward creatures (Exod 15:26; 2 Kings 1:3-4; Ps 103:3).Jesus’ miracles of healing showed his power over all the evil consequences of sin, and indicated that the kingdom of God had come (Matt 4:23; 8:17; 9:35; see MIRACLES). When that kingdom reaches its fulfilment in the new heavens and the new earth, all healing will be complete (Rev 22:1-4; cf. Rom 8:19-23).
Usually it is not possible to give a specific theological explanation of a particular suffering that a person experiences. However, in those cases where the suffering is a direct result of personal sin, God’s healing is a sign also of his forgiveness (Ps 32:1-5; 41:3-5,11-12; John 5:13-14; James 5:15-16; see SUFFERING).
God may choose to heal people miraculously (Num 12:1-15; 2 Kings 5:8-14; Matt 8:2-3; John 4:46-54; 5:8-9), or by normal processes (2 Kings 20:1-7; Phil 2:27-30; 2 Tim 4:20), or not at all, depending on his sovereign will (2 Cor 12:7-10). He may protect people from diseases or he may not (Exod 15:26; 32:35; Job 1:12; 2:5-6; Jer 24:10). On some occasions God may heal out of his love and compassion, without a request from the afflicted (Matt 14:14; Luke 4:40); on other occasions he may heal in response to the faith of the afflicted (Matt 9:27-30; Mark 5:34; 10:52; James 5:14-15). He heals those who have ordinary diseases and those who are demon possessed (Matt 8:16; Luke 4:41; see DISEASE; UNCLEAN SPIRITS).
Jesus gave his disciples a share in his healing powers, so that they could help him spread the message of the kingdom of God throughout Israel (Matt 10:5-8). These disciples continued this healing ministry in the early days of the church (Acts 3:1-11; 9:33-34). As the church spread, God gave similar gifts to other people (Acts 8:5-7; 14:9-10; 28:8-9). God’s desire was that, as such people used their healing gifts in cooperation with other gifts he had given to other people, the church would enjoy well balanced growth (1 Cor 12:9,11,28-31).
