Word of Faith - a Look at what the Bible says!

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

stonesoffire

Poetic Member
Nov 24, 2013
10,665
1,829
113
I've been presumptive about choices...all things are for our learning. And I've found the scripture all things work together for good for those who love the Lord, who are called according to His purposes.
 
Dec 2, 2016
1,652
26
0
Stunnedbygrace, having had experience in the area of healing and Paul's thorn in the flesh, with bible study and serious thought, I will offer what I have learned. I want you to know that I definitely have not got it all figured out...but here are some things I have learned. First, God is not for sick Christians, Jesus never met a sick person that wanted healing that He did not heal. Jesus never said to any person, "I want you to stay sick so you can witness to other sick folks". So the next question is, why are not all Christians healed? Since the church begin, believers have become sick and died, while other believers have been healed. It is still that way today. These things cannot really be explained. I have been healed by God and on other occasions I just had to ride out the sickness. My opinion is that life is suppose to be rough, so in most cases God allows the natural order of things to continue, but if He chooses, then He may intervene. The error in WOF is that they believe the supernatural actions of God can be caused to occur at their will(hence healing services)....NOT SO! God is God and He alone decides when the supernatural occurs. I have had some supernatural things occur that were remarkable...however they never happened because I did anything to cause them to occur. In the cause of Paul, Jesus was specific that the thorn remained BECAUSE of the great revelations given to him. That was a unique case because Paul had been given revelations like the rest of us did not receive. Also, Paul went to the Lord, and that is what we should all do regardless of the outcome.
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,786
2,959
113

" On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited." 2 Cor. 12:5-7


Let's just look at one word at a time, and see what it means, in the verse and the context. This is what I keep trying to tell you about copy and paste Strong's. Some of it just isn't right, or it is selective. And the last one is not even in the verse you quote! It is two verses earlier. The word above is "weaknesses" or ἀσθενείαις. It is a plural adverb.

"ὑπὲρ τοῦ τοιούτου καυχήσομαι, ὑπὲρ δὲ ἐμαυτοῦ οὐ καυχήσομαι εἰ μὴ ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις." 2 Cor. 12:5

"καὶ τῇ ὑπερβολῇ τῶν ἀποκαλύψεων. διὸ ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι, ἐδόθη μοι σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκί, ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ, ἵνα με κολαφίζῃ, ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι." 2 Cor. 12:7



Well, your definition of asthenes above, is not the whole story. Which I recognized the minute I saw it. In fact, it means SICKNESS, weakness. So, context tells the story. Bauer says of ἀσθενεία (asthenia):

1. A state of debilitating illness, sickness, disease. 2 Cor. 12:5 times of weakness, sickness.
2. incapacity for something, or experience of limitation (e.g.. 1 Cor. 15:43, 2 Cor. 11:34, etc.
3. lack of confidence, feeling of inadequacy. (eg1 Cor. 2:3, Romans 6:19, Romans 8:26)


So with of the above three definitions was Paul talking about? Incapacity or experience of limitation, lack of confidence, or feel of inadequacy? I have to doubt very much definitions 2 or 3 apply to Paul. He is talking about how God gave him something to keep him from being conceited, and it was not definitions 2 or 3.

The only one that really describes this definition, is #1. Paul had something wrong with him, and God really did allow it. And God had a purpose! And that Paul could "boast" in what God had done.

Sadly, this is very typical of cults. They take part of a definition or part of a verse, or exegete wrongly and twist it to say what it does not. Believe me, asthenes means sickness. And Paul definitely had a sickness, whether it was just eye problems or something else, the Bible does not say.

As for your wondering about what God uses, I will conclusively say the Bible says he uses ALL things for our good.

"And we know that ALL things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

So glad I serve a God who does not fit in some cult's box. God is much greater than your shallow definitions, which misuse Scripture.

I do wish you would take some real classes on Greek, learn to read it, and stop playing with inadequate sources, and again, listing a bunch of Greek words and definitions and not commenting on them. What do you mean by using asthenes, and not quoting the right verse, nor understanding the full meaning? Do you know what you mean? If you do, then please follow it through. Just as I have done. Better to deal with one word well, than 4 words shallowly.

As for the other post, I am working on it. I'm just so busy with Christmas right now, and it requires a lot of refuting. However I do appreciate the way you reformatted it so it is easy to read. Thanks!
 
Nov 12, 2015
9,112
823
113
I have tried to post but am exhausted after 23 hours of being awake. Was doing fine until now but am falling asleep no matter how badly I want to continue. Never enough hours in any day to look into all I want to, read all I want to, and respond to all I want to! It will have to wait until I sleep for a bit. I've read your answer and have looked up the references and words. Just can't stay awake to post. Have fallen asleep numerous times just posting this brief message. :D....:(
 

Cee

Senior Member
May 14, 2010
2,169
473
83
When I read the posts in this thread. They grieve my heart horribly. I probably won't be able to convince those who have their mind made up, but the truth needs to be spoken.

The posts in this thread are completely wrong for a few reasons.

1. They assert that you don't need faith to be healed, but Scripture tells differently.
2. They assert that those who believe God will heal people are "scammers" and take people's money.
3. They assert that sickness is a sign that you're saved. Jesus didn't get sick, was He saved? He DID get persecuted, He did suffer for the GOSPEL. He didn't suffer to prove He was a Son. He suffered for the GOSPEL. Huge difference. His love lead Him to the cross. Not a sickbed.

Suffering is because of people persecuting those who stand up for God. Suffering is not getting a flat tire, it's not struggling with finances, suffering happens because we love those who don't love us. It has NOTHING to do with marital issues, sickness, or whatever else negative thing in people's life they think is "God's love for them". The only exception is if your spouse isn't a believer. Then you're suffering for the gospel!

The IDEA that God gives sickness is so wrong. Jesus healed people of sickness that God gave them? That gives you a divided Kingdom. Every GOOD gift is from God. You can't look at OT Scriptures to translate NT Scripture. That's just lack of understanding we are in a New Covenant.

Mark 5:25And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.

This woman IN SCRIPTURE actually is shown to have suffered much and been made poor because she followed man's way and not God's way. And she didn't get better, she got worse. God bless doctors, but their bills are astronomical.

27
She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.

This woman had heard about Jesus, heard that people were being made well. So she BELIEVED in her heart that she would be made well. But it wasn't until she TOUCHED Him that she was made well.

Listen, Jesus didn't seek her out. She sought Him out.

29And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?"

Jesus according to Scripture didn't even know she was being healed! Until He felt the power go out of His body. So it was HER faith not His that healed her. It was HER intention to be made well not His that according to Scripture.

31
And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say,‘Who touched me?’” 32And he looked around to see who had done it.

Jesus had people TOUCHING Him. A whole crowd was pressed up against Him, but this woman touched Him in faith, believing she would be made well. It was her faith that connected her to the power in Christ. It was her seeking Him. It was her intentionality to touch Him with faith that made Him turn around and say who touched me?

33
But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

This woman sought out Jesus, she believed in her heart she would be healed by Him, and she touched Him in faith while everyone else touched Him not recognizing the power in Him. Faith caught His attention. And like the Scripture says here, faith made her well and healed her of her disease.

The idea that faith isn't needed for healing is against Scripture. The posts in this thread are minimizing faith. They say if you don't receive it's because God doesn't want you to have it. But Jesus says different.

Matt 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
 
Last edited:

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,149
30,296
113
Suffering is because of people persecuting those who stand up for God. Suffering is not getting a flat tire, it's not struggling with finances, suffering happens because we love those who don't love us. It has NOTHING to do with marital issues, sickness, or whatever else negative thing in people's life they think is "God's love for them". The only exception is if your spouse isn't a believer. Then you're suffering for the gospel!

...

Mark 5:25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.

This woman IN SCRIPTURE actually is shown to have suffered much
....
I hope you see how you have just contradicted both yourself and Scripture.
 

Cee

Senior Member
May 14, 2010
2,169
473
83
I hope you see how you have just contradicted both yourself and Scripture.
Thank you for your comment, but I don't think I've contradicted myself. If anything you've clarified it.

She wasn't suffering for the gospel. What people like to say is that suffering is suffering for the gospel. And that's not true there is a difference between suffering and suffering for the gospel. Jesus suffered for the gospel at the hands of men not sickness. This lady suffered at the hands of sickness and Jesus set her free.
 

Cee

Senior Member
May 14, 2010
2,169
473
83
A lot of people are suffering like this woman today, but unlike her they don't believe in their heart that He will make them well.

And just to add one more point.

I don't blame people for their lack of faith. I am simply saying that Scripture teaches that faith receives from God. Jesus told His disciples that their lack of faith was the issue with someone not being made well by their prayer. So Scripture teaches 2 things.

1. Faith receives from God
2. Faith can come through the one receiving or the one praying

Because of this, if someone doesn't get better, I blame my own faith and pray to God for a greater understanding of who He is in me. I don't tell people they need faith, etc. If I didn't have it, who am I to blame them? I understand we are all in process, we are learning and growing in understanding who Christ is, I've been seeking to know Him in a greater way as Healer more than most people I've met. I've spent years of my life praying for sick people and seen radical miracles, but the truth is don't always see people healed. I am being matured in love daily.

Like the disciples I am wrestling with unbelief in areas, but I keep pressing forward and believing. And I see way more people set free by believing He will set them free than if I don't. Jesus had perfect faith and all got healed. He is my example. And He is the perfect image of God. And He set everyone free. That means the issue isn't on His end, but on mine.

C.
 
Last edited:
H

HisHolly

Guest
Anything the enemy can do to deceive folks into thinking God won't do something, he'll do... this thread has Gods desire, will and power so watered down... faith comes by hearing.. since they auto tune all this out,well faith for it won't come... scripture after scripture of people sending for a Prophet or in the NT folks going to Jesus who were not the lost sheep of Israel... All got healing .....
 
Nov 12, 2015
9,112
823
113
Thank you wanderer. I am considering this and need more information, so I will ask my second question. What do the men who teach you say concerning Job and how God gave permission to satan to bring bodily sickness to him?
 
L

LaurenTM

Guest
Anything the enemy can do to deceive folks into thinking God won't do something, he'll do... this thread has Gods desire, will and power so watered down... faith comes by hearing.. since they auto tune all this out,well faith for it won't come... scripture after scripture of people sending for a Prophet or in the NT folks going to Jesus who were not the lost sheep of Israel... All got healing .....

does it bother you at all there Holly that this post of yours is one big fat lie?

I don't go around calling people liars on this forum although I have certainly seen quite a few call others liars

but you know, I cannot let this post pass...for me, this thread has gone way past any sort of helpful info and has been spammed by a died in the wool WOFer who claims WOF is not the craziness it used to be

however, having checked out Hagin's site, I would not agree with that at all...statements like Jesus took on satan's nature...by Hagin, for example, are the sort of WOF heresy that SANE Christians decry

now what you say in this post of yours is a BLATANT and IMPOSSIBLE to prove lie because myself and EVERY OTHER SINGLE CHRISTIAN ON THIS SITE WHO CONFIRMS THE TRUTH OF SCRIPTURE says exactly the opposite of what you have us saying

who do you think you are? you post silly stupid things with half verses that you twist to say what you make them say and when you are called on it, you say you did not do it even though what you wrote is staring us all in the face

I don't think you have a clue about God's desire...I think you are writing about your own desire...and I also think you would do us all a favor if you studied scripture more and judged others less

if what you faith experts say would be true, no one would be saved...faith does come by hearing...who is auto tuning that out?

what kind of mind do you have that cannot accept the fact that every single one of us in this thread has stated we do believe that God heals?

I think you auto-tune out whatever does not fit your very narrow and bigoted little mindset

and you can quote me
 
L

LaurenTM

Guest
When I read the posts in this thread. They grieve my heart horribly. I probably won't be able to convince those who have their mind made up, but the truth needs to be spoken.

The posts in this thread are completely wrong for a few reasons.

1. They assert that you don't need faith to be healed, but Scripture tells differently.
2. They assert that those who believe God will heal people are "scammers" and take people's money.
3. They assert that sickness is a sign that you're saved. Jesus didn't get sick, was He saved? He DID get persecuted, He did suffer for the GOSPEL. He didn't suffer to prove He was a Son. He suffered for the GOSPEL. Huge difference. His love lead Him to the cross. Not a sickbed.

Suffering is because of people persecuting those who stand up for God. Suffering is not getting a flat tire, it's not struggling with finances, suffering happens because we love those who don't love us. It has NOTHING to do with marital issues, sickness, or whatever else negative thing in people's life they think is "God's love for them". The only exception is if your spouse isn't a believer. Then you're suffering for the gospel!

The IDEA that God gives sickness is so wrong. Jesus healed people of sickness that God gave them? That gives you a divided Kingdom. Every GOOD gift is from God. You can't look at OT Scriptures to translate NT Scripture. That's just lack of understanding we are in a New Covenant.

Mark 5:25And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.

This woman IN SCRIPTURE actually is shown to have suffered much and been made poor because she followed man's way and not God's way. And she didn't get better, she got worse. God bless doctors, but their bills are astronomical.

27
She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.

This woman had heard about Jesus, heard that people were being made well. So she BELIEVED in her heart that she would be made well. But it wasn't until she TOUCHED Him that she was made well.

Listen, Jesus didn't seek her out. She sought Him out.

29And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?"

Jesus according to Scripture didn't even know she was being healed! Until He felt the power go out of His body. So it was HER faith not His that healed her. It was HER intention to be made well not His that according to Scripture.

31
And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say,‘Who touched me?’” 32And he looked around to see who had done it.

Jesus had people TOUCHING Him. A whole crowd was pressed up against Him, but this woman touched Him in faith, believing she would be made well. It was her faith that connected her to the power in Christ. It was her seeking Him. It was her intentionality to touch Him with faith that made Him turn around and say who touched me?

33
But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

This woman sought out Jesus, she believed in her heart she would be healed by Him, and she touched Him in faith while everyone else touched Him not recognizing the power in Him. Faith caught His attention. And like the Scripture says here, faith made her well and healed her of her disease.

The idea that faith isn't needed for healing is against Scripture. The posts in this thread are minimizing faith. They say if you don't receive it's because God doesn't want you to have it. But Jesus says different.

Matt 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.


Cee, respectfully because I do not believe you are trying to insult, unlike Holly who seems to enjoy it, you have a comprehension problem

NO ONE believes God no longer heals...we ALL believe God does heal

however, healing is not the major disagreement with WOF...although it is a big one...it is their crazy doctrine that contains things like Jesus took on the nature of satan and similar that is so bat crap crazy you don't even know how to respond to it other than with disgust

so, you folks REALLY need to seek God about why you keep saying we don't have enough faith, or we don't have any faith or whatever other slur you care to hurl at us

FYI, I just prayed for one of my dogs...yeah I pray for everything...that became wildly sick a couple of days ago...projectile vomiting...dragging around...could not keep a thing down...and I was scared cause he is 9 and that could mean a number of things...but I prayed WITH FAITH CAUSE GOD HEARS US WHEN WE COME TO HIM WITH OUR LITTLE BUNDLE OF FAITH OR HOWEVER MUCH HE IN HIS GRACE AND MERCY HAS ALLOTED TO US...AND HE GIVES MORE AS WE ASK...and asked my heavenly Father to heal this dog that I love and this dog, 2 days later, is perfectly fine, keeping all food down, no temp and is back to acting perfectly normal! Praise God!

and I will go further and tell you what is behind that...I have been doing quite a bit of spiritual 'warfare' praying lately and it is my experience that the devil (through his demons and even people, Christians included) will attack in the places that are the weakest...that will include pets...I have been at this for years, so I do know what I am talking about

you know, people who don't normally fight will fight..disagreements over nothing will occur...but you just keep praying and ask God to take care of all those things and He does...

you people who think you are so all fired godly and spiritual, do not know the half of what it is you think you know!

I don't talk about my 'experiences' or how holy I think I am....but I could probably attest to far more then you folks who continually say we have no faith

you cannot read or you deliberately lie when you say those things because we have not said them

so which is it? are you liars or do you just have really poor comprehension skills?

should I brag and boast about what I have experienced spiritually speaking? would that help?

gosh gee cheeze whiz I really do not think so

it's enough! either respond to what people actually write...or get outta here! and by outta here, I mean go study until you understand that WOF is a lie from hell and people have died because of it

however, God does heal...even for faith like a grain of mustard seed!
 
Last edited:

wanderer6059

Senior Member
Oct 27, 2013
1,282
57
48
"On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited." 2 Cor. 12:5-7


Let's just look at one word at a time, and see what it means, in the verse and the context. This is what I keep trying to tell you about copy and paste Strong's. Some of it just isn't right, or it is selective. And the last one is not even in the verse you quote! It is two verses earlier. The word above is "weaknesses" or ἀσθενείαις. It is a plural adverb.

"ὑπὲρ τοῦ τοιούτου καυχήσομαι, ὑπὲρ δὲ ἐμαυτοῦ οὐ καυχήσομαι εἰ μὴ ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις." 2 Cor. 12:5

"καὶ τῇ ὑπερβολῇ τῶν ἀποκαλύψεων. διὸ ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι, ἐδόθη μοι σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκί, ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ, ἵνα με κολαφίζῃ, ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι." 2 Cor. 12:7



Well, your definition of asthenes above, is not the whole story. Which I recognized the minute I saw it. In fact, it means SICKNESS, weakness. So, context tells the story. Bauer says of ἀσθενεία (asthenia):

1. A state of debilitating illness, sickness, disease. 2 Cor. 12:5 times of weakness, sickness.
2. incapacity for something, or experience of limitation (e.g.. 1 Cor. 15:43, 2 Cor. 11:34, etc.
3. lack of confidence, feeling of inadequacy. (eg1 Cor. 2:3, Romans 6:19, Romans 8:26)


So with of the above three definitions was Paul talking about? Incapacity or experience of limitation, lack of confidence, or feel of inadequacy? I have to doubt very much definitions 2 or 3 apply to Paul. He is talking about how God gave him something to keep him from being conceited, and it was not definitions 2 or 3.

The only one that really describes this definition, is #1. Paul had something wrong with him, and God really did allow it. And God had a purpose! And that Paul could "boast" in what God had done.

Sadly, this is very typical of cults. They take part of a definition or part of a verse, or exegete wrongly and twist it to say what it does not. Believe me, asthenes means sickness. And Paul definitely had a sickness, whether it was just eye problems or something else, the Bible does not say.

As for your wondering about what God uses, I will conclusively say the Bible says he uses ALL things for our good.

"And we know that ALL things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

So glad I serve a God who does not fit in some cult's box. God is much greater than your shallow definitions, which misuse Scripture.

I do wish you would take some real classes on Greek, learn to read it, and stop playing with inadequate sources, and again, listing a bunch of Greek words and definitions and not commenting on them. What do you mean by using asthenes, and not quoting the right verse, nor understanding the full meaning? Do you know what you mean? If you do, then please follow it through. Just as I have done. Better to deal with one word well, than 4 words shallowly.

As for the other post, I am working on it. I'm just so busy with Christmas right now, and it requires a lot of refuting. However I do appreciate the way you reformatted it so it is easy to read. Thanks!
ok lets look at this one word then, and the context it is used in throughout the bible grammatically.



from my Thayer's Greek Lexicon


ἀσθενείαις
(from Herodotus down), want of strength, weakness, infirmity;


a. of Body; α. its native weakness and frailty: 1 Corinthians 15:43; 2 Corinthians 13:4. β. feebleness of health; sickness: John 5:5; John 11:4; Luke 13:11, 12; Galatians 4:13 (ἀσθένεια τῆς σαρκός); Hebrews 11:34; in plural: Matthew 8:17; Luke 5:15; Luke 8:2; Acts 28:9; 1 Timothy 5:23.


b. of Soul; want of the strength and capacity requisite α. to understand a thing: Romans 6:19 (where ἀσθένειαν τῆς σαρκός denotes the weakness of human nature). β. to do things great and glorious, as want of human wisdom, of skill in speaking, in the management of men: 1 Corinthians 2:3. γ. to restrain corrupt desires; proclivity to sin: Hebrews 5:2; Hebrews 7:28; plural the various kinds of this proclivity, Hebrews 4:15. δ. to bear trials and troubles: Romans 8:26 (where read τῇ ἀσθένεια for Rec. ταῖς ἀσθενείαις); 2 Corinthians 11:30; 2 Corinthians 12:9; plural the mental (?) states in which this weakness manifests itself: 2 Corinthians 12:5, 9f.

the grammatical and biblical written context is of bearing trials and persecution, not sickness. the is especially defined by the usage of the word in the context of it in the verses before. your definition even partially says this.

1. A state of debilitating illness, sickness, disease. 2 Cor. 12:5 times of weakness, sickness.
2. incapacity for something, or experience of limitation (e.g.. 1 Cor. 15:43, 2 Cor. 11:34, etc.

so the context here would be of weakness due to the trials and persecution. not sickness.

the part i highlighted in blue is where your fault lies, you assume by your understanding and not by what was written. and you can see if flawed because God never would do that. and there is no NT reference to God letting someone be tormented to keep them from pride. on the contrary, even if he allowed(God does not give you a messenger from satan, the devil does that, and thats some hellish thinking to think God would give you that.) the devil would not stop you from being conceited of prideful, he wants that, he wants you to live in self. what the devil was trying to suppress was the revelation, because by the revelation it brought paul beyond measure, or lifted him up. the revelation was pauls message of righteousness. and our right position or standing in God, that is our lifted up(beyond measure) in Him. the thorn was tho keep him down and to try and prevent that righteous revelation from spreading.
so by the context of weakness due to persecution we seen the definition of the thorn is from a relational point, that means; human opposition and persecution that often followed Paul in his ministry. by extent physical responses; an disfigurement or disability from the beatings, stoning, and whip. or moral temptation that constantly plagued the apostle from the extremes he faced. thats why when he petitioned Christ his response was my good-will, loving-kindness, favor: that is the favor of Christ, assisting and strengthening his followers and ministers to bear their troubles. the written context of the whole passage clearly stats that it is not sickness that paul was effected but but, opposition to his message.

the context is trials and persecution. i am not saying paul never got sick, but he never suffered sickness the way you are trying to imply he did. there is no biblical context for that. and honestly you say its a cult twisting the word, on the contrary, its not that because this is truth. what is happening here is this notion of healing in Gods word brings offence to you through the face that you lost a loved one. and i am sorry, but know external event in any of our lifes change the words definitions, no matter how hard we seek to. what was written was clear, paul didn't suffer sickness, and you cant use the thorn to justify people suffering it to.
 

wanderer6059

Senior Member
Oct 27, 2013
1,282
57
48

wanderer6059

Senior Member
Oct 27, 2013
1,282
57
48
2. incapacity for something, or experience of limitation (e.g.. 1 Cor. 15:43, 2 Cor. 11:34, etc.

and are you using a bible with a 34th verse in 2 cor 11:34. or is that from bauer, or a typo, just trying to clarify, i just saw that.
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
and last how could the clothing, the handkerchiefs of a constantly sick man heal the sick. you can't say it, you don't have the scriptural support no matter how hard you try and to twist it to another context.

11God did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul, 12so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and the diseases and evil spirits left them.
Its not the man who heals, but God.

So the man does not have to be a healthy superman. God is doing the work, remember?
 

wanderer6059

Senior Member
Oct 27, 2013
1,282
57
48
Its not the man who heals, but God.

So the man does not have to be a healthy superman. God is doing the work, remember?
thats true but then why would it leave paul unhealed of a sickness? he toched it just like all the others, from my study anytime God that when God heals in the Gospels he tended to heal all. so why would paul be left unhealed?
 

wanderer6059

Senior Member
Oct 27, 2013
1,282
57
48
ok lets look at this one word then, and the context it is used in throughout the bible grammatically.



from my Thayer's Greek Lexicon


ἀσθενείαις
(from Herodotus down), want of strength, weakness, infirmity;


a. of Body; α. its native weakness and frailty: 1 Corinthians 15:43; 2 Corinthians 13:4. β. feebleness of health; sickness: John 5:5; John 11:4; Luke 13:11, 12; Galatians 4:13 (ἀσθένεια τῆς σαρκός); Hebrews 11:34; in plural: Matthew 8:17; Luke 5:15; Luke 8:2; Acts 28:9; 1 Timothy 5:23.


b. of Soul; want of the strength and capacity requisite α. to understand a thing: Romans 6:19 (where ἀσθένειαν τῆς σαρκός denotes the weakness of human nature). β. to do things great and glorious, as want of human wisdom, of skill in speaking, in the management of men: 1 Corinthians 2:3. γ. to restrain corrupt desires; proclivity to sin: Hebrews 5:2; Hebrews 7:28; plural the various kinds of this proclivity, Hebrews 4:15. δ. to bear trials and troubles: Romans 8:26 (where read τῇ ἀσθένεια for Rec. ταῖς ἀσθενείαις); 2 Corinthians 11:30; 2 Corinthians 12:9; plural the mental (?) states in which this weakness manifests itself: 2 Corinthians 12:5, 9f.

the grammatical and biblical written context is of bearing trials and persecution, not sickness. the is especially defined by the usage of the word in the context of it in the verses before. your definition even partially says this.

1. A state of debilitating illness, sickness, disease. 2 Cor. 12:5 times of weakness, sickness.
2. incapacity for something, or experience of limitation (e.g.. 1 Cor. 15:43, 2 Cor. 11:34, etc.

so the context here would be of weakness due to the trials and persecution. not sickness.

the part i highlighted in blue is where your fault lies, you assume by your understanding and not by what was written. and you can see if flawed because God never would do that. and there is no NT reference to God letting someone be tormented to keep them from pride. on the contrary, even if he allowed(God does not give you a messenger from satan, the devil does that, and thats some hellish thinking to think God would give you that.) the devil would not stop you from being conceited of prideful, he wants that, he wants you to live in self. what the devil was trying to suppress was the revelation, because by the revelation it brought paul beyond measure, or lifted him up. the revelation was pauls message of righteousness. and our right position or standing in God, that is our lifted up(beyond measure) in Him. the thorn was tho keep him down and to try and prevent that righteous revelation from spreading.
so by the context of weakness due to persecution we seen the definition of the thorn is from a relational point, that means; human opposition and persecution that often followed Paul in his ministry. by extent physical responses; an disfigurement or disability from the beatings, stoning, and whip. or moral temptation that constantly plagued the apostle from the extremes he faced. thats why when he petitioned Christ his response was my good-will, loving-kindness, favor: that is the favor of Christ, assisting and strengthening his followers and ministers to bear their troubles. the written context of the whole passage clearly stats that it is not sickness that paul was effected but but, opposition to his message.

the context is trials and persecution. i am not saying paul never got sick, but he never suffered sickness the way you are trying to imply he did. there is no biblical context for that. and honestly you say its a cult twisting the word, on the contrary, its not that because this is truth. what is happening here is this notion of healing in Gods word brings offence to you through the face that you lost a loved one. and i am sorry, but know external event in any of our lifes change the words definitions, no matter how hard we seek to. what was written was clear, paul didn't suffer sickness, and you cant use the thorn to justify people suffering it to.
i'm going to add more of my study references to help this too.

Text Analysis
Strong's Transliteration Greek English Morphology
5228 [e] hyper ὑπὲρ Concerning Prep
3588 [e] tou τοῦ - Art-GMS
5108 [e] toioutou τοιούτου such a man, DPro-GMS
2744 [e] kauchēsomai καυχήσομαι, I will boast; V-FIM-1S
5228 [e] hyper ὑπὲρ Concerning Prep
1161 [e] de δὲ however Conj
1683 [e] emautou ἐμαυτοῦ myself, PPro-GM1S
3756 [e] ou οὐ not Adv
2744 [e] kauchēsomai καυχήσομαι I will boast, V-FIM-1S
1487 [e] ei εἰ if Conj
3361 [e] mē μὴ not Adv
1722 [e] en ἐν in Prep
3588 [e] tais ταῖς the Art-DFP
769 [e] astheneiais ἀσθενείαις. weaknesses. N-DFP


Greek Texts

Nestle GNT 1904
ὑπὲρ τοῦ τοιούτου καυχήσομαι, ὑπὲρ δὲ ἐμαυτοῦ οὐ καυχήσομαι εἰ μὴ ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις.
Westcott and Hort 1881
ὑπὲρ τοῦ τοιούτου καυχήσομαι, ὑπὲρ δὲ ἐμαυτοῦ οὐ καυχήσομαι εἰ μὴ ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις.
Westcott and Hort / [NA27 variants]
ὑπὲρ τοῦ τοιούτου καυχήσομαι, ὑπὲρ δὲ ἐμαυτοῦ οὐ καυχήσομαι εἰ μὴ ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις.
RP Byzantine Majority Text 2005
Ὑπὲρ τοῦ τοιούτου καυχήσομαι· ὑπὲρ δὲ ἐμαυτοῦ οὐ καυχήσομαι, εἰ μὴ ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις μου·
Greek Orthodox Church 1904
ὑπὲρ τοῦ τοιούτου καυχήσομαι, ὑπὲρ δὲ ἐμαυτοῦ οὐ καυχήσομαι εἰ μὴ ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις μου.
Tischendorf 8th Edition
ὑπὲρ τοῦ τοιούτου καυχήσομαι, ὑπὲρ δὲ ἐμαυτοῦ οὐ καυχήσομαι εἰ μὴ ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις μου.
Scrivener's Textus Receptus 1894
ὑπὲρ τοῦ τοιούτου καυχήσομαι· ὑπὲρ δὲ ἐμαυτοῦ οὐ καυχήσομαι, εἰ μὴ ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις μου.
Stephanus Textus Receptus 1550
ὑπὲρ τοῦ τοιούτου καυχήσομαι ὑπὲρ δὲ ἐμαυτοῦ οὐ καυχήσομαι εἰ μὴ ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις μου

ἀσθενείαις (astheneiais) — 4 Occurrences


2 Corinthians 12:5 N-DFP
GRK: ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις
NAS: except in regard to [my] weaknesses.
KJV: in mine infirmities.
INT: in the weaknesses


2 Corinthians 12:9 N-DFP
GRK: ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις μου ἵνα
NAS: about my weaknesses, so
KJV: in my infirmities, that the power
INT: in the weaknesses of me that


2 Corinthians 12:10 N-DFP
GRK: εὐδοκῶ ἐν ἀσθενείαις ἐν ὕβρεσιν
NAS: I am well content with weaknesses, with insults,
KJV: in infirmities, in
INT: I take pleasure in weaknesses in insults


Hebrews 4:15 N-DFP
GRK: συμπαθῆσαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ἡμῶν πεπειρασμένον
NAS: sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who
KJV: of our infirmities; but
INT: to sympathize with the weaknesses of us has been tempted

b. of Soul; want of the strength and capacity requisite α. to understand a thing: Romans 6:19 (where ἀσθένειαν τῆς σαρκός denotes the weakness of human nature). β. to do things great and glorious, as want of human wisdom, of skill in speaking, in the management of men: 1 Corinthians 2:3. γ. to restrain corrupt desires; proclivity to sin: Hebrews 5:2; Hebrews 7:28; plural the various kinds of this proclivity, Hebrews 4:15. δ. to bear trials and troubles: Romans 8:26 (where read τῇ ἀσθένεια for Rec. ταῖς ἀσθενείαις); 2 Corinthians 11:30; 2 Corinthians 12:9; plural the mental (?) states in which this weakness manifests itself: 2 Corinthians 12:5, 9f.


 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,786
2,959
113
ok lets look at this one word then, and the context it is used in throughout the bible grammatically.



from my Thayer's Greek Lexicon


ἀσθενείαις
(from Herodotus down), want of strength, weakness, infirmity;


a. of Body; α. its native weakness and frailty: 1 Corinthians 15:43; 2 Corinthians 13:4. β. feebleness of health; sickness: John 5:5; John 11:4; Luke 13:11, 12; Galatians 4:13 (ἀσθένεια τῆς σαρκός); Hebrews 11:34; in plural: Matthew 8:17; Luke 5:15; Luke 8:2; Acts 28:9; 1 Timothy 5:23.


b. of Soul; want of the strength and capacity requisite α. to understand a thing: Romans 6:19 (where ἀσθένειαν τῆς σαρκός denotes the weakness of human nature). β. to do things great and glorious, as want of human wisdom, of skill in speaking, in the management of men: 1 Corinthians 2:3. γ. to restrain corrupt desires; proclivity to sin: Hebrews 5:2; Hebrews 7:28; plural the various kinds of this proclivity, Hebrews 4:15. δ. to bear trials and troubles: Romans 8:26 (where read τῇ ἀσθένεια for Rec. ταῖς ἀσθενείαις); 2 Corinthians 11:30; 2 Corinthians 12:9; plural the mental (?) states in which this weakness manifests itself: 2 Corinthians 12:5, 9f.

the grammatical and biblical written context is of bearing trials and persecution, not sickness. the is especially defined by the usage of the word in the context of it in the verses before. your definition even partially says this.

1. A state of debilitating illness, sickness, disease. 2 Cor. 12:5 times of weakness, sickness.
2. incapacity for something, or experience of limitation (e.g.. 1 Cor. 15:43, 2 Cor. 11:34, etc.

so the context here would be of weakness due to the trials and persecution. not sickness.

the part i highlighted in blue is where your fault lies, you assume by your understanding and not by what was written. and you can see if flawed because God never would do that. and there is no NT reference to God letting someone be tormented to keep them from pride. on the contrary, even if he allowed(God does not give you a messenger from satan, the devil does that, and thats some hellish thinking to think God would give you that.) the devil would not stop you from being conceited of prideful, he wants that, he wants you to live in self. what the devil was trying to suppress was the revelation, because by the revelation it brought paul beyond measure, or lifted him up. the revelation was pauls message of righteousness. and our right position or standing in God, that is our lifted up(beyond measure) in Him. the thorn was tho keep him down and to try and prevent that righteous revelation from spreading.
so by the context of weakness due to persecution we seen the definition of the thorn is from a relational point, that means; human opposition and persecution that often followed Paul in his ministry. by extent physical responses; an disfigurement or disability from the beatings, stoning, and whip. or moral temptation that constantly plagued the apostle from the extremes he faced. thats why when he petitioned Christ his response was my good-will, loving-kindness, favor: that is the favor of Christ, assisting and strengthening his followers and ministers to bear their troubles. the written context of the whole passage clearly stats that it is not sickness that paul was effected but but, opposition to his message.

the context is trials and persecution. i am not saying paul never got sick, but he never suffered sickness the way you are trying to imply he did. there is no biblical context for that. and honestly you say its a cult twisting the word, on the contrary, its not that because this is truth. what is happening here is this notion of healing in Gods word brings offence to you through the face that you lost a loved one. and i am sorry, but know external event in any of our lifes change the words definitions, no matter how hard we seek to. what was written was clear, paul didn't suffer sickness, and you cant use the thorn to justify people suffering it to.

So besides Thayer being totally old and outdated, by the discovery of numerous papryi he he didn't believe in Biblical inerrancy, and used commentaries of non-believers.

"Rather unfortunately, Thayer's Lexicon became obsolete quickly as Gustav Adolf Deissmann's work with the Egyptian papyri was soon to revolutionize New Testament and Koine Greek Lexicography with the publication of his Bible Studies: Contributions Chiefly from Papyri and Inscriptions to the History of the Language, the Literature, and the Religion of Hellenistic Judaism and Primitive Christianity published in 1901 (2nd edition 1909) and also Light from the Ancient East: the New Testament Illustrated by Recently Discovered Texts of the Graeco-Roman World London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1910. These books and similar ones that followed helped confirm and sometimes correct inadequate definitions of many words in the Greek New Testament. With this new and valuable information for studying the Greek of the New Testament, Thayer's Lexicon became a victim of history, being published less than a decade before this papyri revolution.[SUP][3][/SUP]
In February 1891 Thayer published a lecture in which he expressed disagreement with the position of Biblical inerrancy, asserting that his own acceptance of various errors of history and science in the Bible did not materially detract from his belief in the overall soundness of Christianity."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Henry_Thayer

So no, we won't be discussing what Thayer's Lexcon says. Over 126 years old, and obsolete before it was ever used. Why? Because of WRONG DEFINITIONS! No reputable seminary ever uses Thayer's. Well, unless they want to prove something which isn't true!
 

Angela53510

Senior Member
Jan 24, 2011
11,786
2,959
113
2. incapacity for something, or experience of limitation (e.g.. 1 Cor. 15:43, 2 Cor. 11:34, etc.

and are you using a bible with a 34th verse in 2 cor 11:34. or is that from bauer, or a typo, just trying to clarify, i just saw that.

I guess you could say a typo. I put two verses together.

#2 was supposed to read:

Hebrews 11:34; 2 Cor. 11:30.

Thanks for catching the mistake.