Do you know why DIFFERENT Greek words are translated HEAL?

Mark Virkler's picture

Submitted by Mark Virkler on July 31, 2023 - 17:26

I want an instant miracle healing. If God utilizes a process for healing me, do I still celebrate this as a healing?

Did you know that there are two different Greek words for healing? Plus there is another word (dunamis), which is normally translated as “power,” yet is occasionally translated as either "mighty work" or "miracle." All three of these words are found in the two examples below:

Jesus

  • Could do no mighty work (dunamis) there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed (therapeuō) them. And He wondered at their unbelief (Mk. 6:1-6).
  • Since faith works by love (Gal 5:6), and Jesus experienced scorn and disbelief in His hometown, the flow of power (dunamis) was thwarted.
  • Jesus was still able to provide therapeutic cures. 

Paul

  • Laid his hands on him and healed (iaomia) him (Acts 28:8 NKJV). This appears to be an instantaneous healing.
  • The rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed (therapeua - Acts 28:9 NKJV).  
  • Wow, two different words for healing are being used in this story.

Shades of meanings between these two words (the words are not mutually exclusive)

  1. Iaomai – healing appears to more often be an instantaneous healing, powered by dunamis.
  2. Therapeuo – healing appears to more often be a process of healing. We get the word therapeutic from this word, so it involves various remedies which could be classified under the category of “gifts of healings” (1 Cor. 12:28). Verses with therapeuo in them mention several modalities. These are: laying on hands (Lk. 4:40 NASB), anointing with oil (Mk. 6:13 NASB), and leaves which bring healing (Rev. 22:2 NASB).

In other places in the Bible, we find many cures or remedies which might be classified under gifts of healings. For example:

  1. Fasting - health springs forth speedily (Isa. 58:6-8)
  2. A merry heart - good like a medicine (Prov. 17:22)
  3. Casting out demons - man was healed (Matt. 12:22)
  4. Confessing sins - become healed  (Jas. 5:16)
  5. Little wine for stomach's sake (1 Tim. 5:23)
  6. Many more…

Dig deeper with these two free health training opportunities this month

Related Resources: 

How to Be Emotionally Free!   How to Be Empowered by the Holy Spirit!   How to Enjoy Vibrant Health!   
Add new comment

Add new comment

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Results

Results 61 - 70 of 488

Pages

Supernatural Church

Supernatural Church

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 62 Pages

This book is designed to be used in a 13-week new members' class of a church which is pursuing intimacy with the Holy Spirit. As people come to your church, they come with many different theological backgrounds and expectations as to what church ought to be like. It is crucial that you align these people's hearts and minds as they join the church, or they will end up pulling in many different directions and causing division.

Price: $9.95
Talking With Jesus - Front Cover

Talking with Jesus

by Evelyn Klumpenhouer

A full year of daily devotionals in which the Holy Spirit “opens up” Scripture!

These short, powerful devotionals for every day of the year are easy to read in less than two minutes. Each daily verse (with reference) is followed by God speaking directly to you concerning that verse. These inspiring messages provide an incredibly uplifting way to begin each day.

"Were not our hearts burning within us…while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?" (Lk. 24:32).

Price: $14.95

The Faith Zone

by Steve Long and Mark Virkler

Click here for Kindle version.

IF ONLY I HAD A LITTLE MORE FAITH...

Have you ever thought that before? Most of us have thought it, or even heard it from others, at some point in our lives. But what exactly is faith anyway? And how do we get more of it? And if we did get more of it, could we actually move mountains into the sea?

Price: $15.99

The Utter Relief of Holiness

How God's Goodness Frees Us from Everything That Plagues Us - by John Eldredge

What a relief it would be to be set free from all that plagues us -- the inner struggle with anger, or contempt, the habitual sins. Is such an experience possible?

Price: $5.00
Through the Bible

Through the Bible

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 142 Pages

Listening to God through Scripture! Were not our hearts burning within us while He was...explaining the Scriptures to us (Lk. 24:32)?  This book will guide you in letting God reveal truth to you as you meditate on the stories and teaching of those who have gone before you. Your heart will be set afire by God!

Price: $19.95
Twenty Key Biblical Principles for Management

Twenty Key Biblical Principles for Management

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 111 Pages

Does the Bible contain principles which should be followed if you are managing a business, a church or a home? Do the most successful businesses, churches and homes follow these principles? The answer to both questions is, "Yes!" Do you know what these key principles are for successful management? If not, this book is for you. The book is designed with quick, easy evaluation worksheets provided for each of the 20 principles.

Price: $12.95
Wading Deeper Into the River of God

Wading Deeper Into the River of God

by Mark Virkler | 212 Pages

This book is the story of Mark’s personal journey toward revelation knowledge. With his trademark transparency and humor, you’ll identify with his challenges along the way and rejoice in his breakthroughs as he endeavors to continually wade deeper into the river of God.

Price: $16.95

When Heaven Touches Earth

by Greig, Virkler, Rogers, Goll, Fuller | 140 Pages

The central theme of this book is that average Christian believers can learn to exercise the eyes of their hearts and receive Spirit-led visions to worship in heaven, to receive the Lord's healing of their hearts, His authority, and His strategies to bring heaven down to earth (Matt. 6:10). Heavenly encounters initiated and led by Jesus with angels and those who have gone before us may sometimes be a part of these visionary experiences, as they were in Scripture.

Price: $14.95

Your Extraordinary Life! - case of 52

by Mark & Patti Virkler | 197 Pages | $14.99 Retail (Per Copy)

Purchase a case of 52 at ONLY $4.79 each - Distribute widely - Impact future generations of Christians

Can you imagine starting new believers off with the Holy Spirit! What if the first thing you were taught as a newborn Christian was how to connect easily and daily with the Holy Spirit Who was living inside you, anointing you, empowering you and transforming you?

Price: $249.08

Counseled by God Complete Discounted Package

2 books, 13 sessions on 6 CDs and 6 DVDs, save 15%

Recently Released – 35th Anniversary Edition

The foremost training series in the world teaching you how to become emotionally whole by hearing the voice of the Wonderful Counselor (Isa. 9:6)! This is your best value, putting all the tools in your hands you will need to ensure this message bears fruit in your life and equipping  you to share it with others.

Price: $115.00

Pages