A couple of years ago, I read a question that someone asked a Christian site. She asked “Why don’t y’all believe in healing ministries?” For some reason, this question stuck with. I would like to answer that question here on this blog.
The scripture that most healing ministries refer to as their authority for their ministry is James 5:14-15. This scripture states:
- (14) Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (15) And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
When I first decided to look at healing ministries, I went to online healing ministries sites to get an understanding of what they believe. I looked at James 5:14-15 carefully. Initially, it appears pretty straightforward. It does say that if anyone is sick (verse 14), let the elders pray over him and that the prayer of the faith (verse 15) will save the one who is sick. The scripture is abundantly clear. I can’t make it say something else just because I want it to. I looked a little closer by looking at the Greek. The next couple of paragraphs are a bit technical but please bear with me for it will become clear why I am discussing the two Greek words that we translate into English as “sick.”
The word “sick” in verse 14 is the Greek word asthenéō.1 This Greek word means “specifically, to be infirm in the body, i.e., to be sick, to suffer from disease or the consequences thereof. However, in verse 15, a different Greek word is used, kámnō, which is translated as “sick” as well. However, it has a different meaning. This Greek work means “When used in connection with asthenéō, to be sick, it suggests the common accompaniment of sickness, weariness of mind which may hinder physical recovery.”2
Asthenéō is found in scripture 36 times in 32 verses whereas kámnō is only used in 2 verses, 3 times. Asthenéō is a word used with respect to a physical ailment whereas kámnō is used with respect to weariness. The other verse where kámnō is used is Hebrews 12:3 which states:
- Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
I have highlighted the words that are the translation of the Greek word kámnō.
I wanted to make clear that the two words that are translated as “sick” DO NOT have the same meaning. We can use the same word in English to have a different meaning. For instance if I were to say “I’m so sick of listening to that music every day,” it is clear that I am saying that I am “weary” of listening to that music every day. No one would misunderstand me to mean that I have a physical ailment that may require medical attention. However, if I were to say “I am sick and cannot go to work today” it is clear that I am speaking of a physical ailment. However, in the Greek, there are actually two words to describe what is being conveyed.
As to the question why I don’t believe in healing ministries – it just is not supported by scripture. The very scripture that healing ministries use do not support their teaching. Does the Lord heal? Of course He does. The purpose the Apostles were able to heal was to authenticate that they were God’s messengers. They were establishing the Church. (The discussion of miracles will be another post). In any event, they did not have a healing ministry. Healing ministries are dangerous and even deadly as I have discussed here. If a person is not healed, the excuse is that the sick person did not have enough faith.
1 Corinthians 12:9 is another verse used by faith healers as proof that they are empowered by God to heal. This verse was directed at the Apostles and not the general Christian population. 2 Corinthians 12:12 confirms that signs, wonders miracles were a means to substantiate their apostleship.
Physical healings were rare in the Old Testament. In fact, it is only during the time of Jesus and during the time of His apostles that there was a surge of healings. Interestingly, Paul was not healed. In Philippians 2:27, Paul’s friend, Eaphroditus was not healed through a healing by Paul or anyone but instead, God had mercy and healed him. No healing ministry was involved. When Timothy was ill, Paul did not heal him but instead told him to take some wine 1 Timothy 5:23. This corroborates the fact that healings were not a dedicated ministry but, in fact, a means to verify that an apostle was God’s messenger.
Healing ministries were never part of the Church and did not gain popularity until the early part of the 20th century. Healing ministries was never a ministry in the New Testament unlike today where healing ministers dedicate themselves to healing others. There has not been any medically verifiable healings. When Christian watch groups have asked for verifiable medical history before and after, somehow there is some excuse why it can’t be provided.
I wonder why these healing ministries don’t visit children’s hospitals across the nation making sure that the little ones have a chance to grow up. I don’t have to wonder why – it is because they are not authentic and don’t have the ability to heal.
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8 comments
Melody Johnson
November 28, 2011 at 3:17 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I like how you explain about the word “sick” and it makes sense. I do not believe in the healing ministries. I searched all my bible versions and commentary and not one of them explain James 15:14-15 in the same way you have and it is frustrating. I believe what you have written mostly because it makes sense to me, even though I do not know how to study the greek like you do. This summer our pastor changed the Bible he preaches from to the ESV because he says it is very accurate. I can’t see how it is anymore accurate than the rest now because it says “sick” in both places also. Thanks for your sharing your insight.
Tishrei
November 29, 2011 at 5:03 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hi Melody,
The two translations that I use most is the NASB & the ESV though I do read others. I don’t know why the translators did not use a different English word to convey what was being stated especially since the two words do have a different meaning. This is one of the reasons I am a huge believer in word studies. I speak two languages so I am very conscious that something can be lost in translation.
As to studying the Greek, I am by no stretch of the imagination a Greek scholor — I am a lay person with no training. I have several programs that I use to help me such as eSword — I downloaded several dictionaries in eSword to help me. Margaret mentioned a few that she uses.
I’m glad this post helped you — it sure helped me to understand as I was doing the research.
Margaret
November 29, 2011 at 8:19 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Tishrei,
This was very well explained so that any and everyone should be able to understand these truths. Thank you for yet another well-presented post. I had not checked out the Greek in these verses and really appreciate your research in this area.
Melody, for those who want to check out Greek and Hebrew word meanings, you can go to places like biblos.com, blueletterbible.org, and biblegateway.com. They are fun to use. You can look up Bible verses and then click on the link to words you want to learn about and it will tell you the Greek and Hebrew meanings. Like Tishrei said, there are many ways of using a word that can give it a different meaning.
God has so much to teach us in His word and I think there’s a very good reason why He is making so many word translation tools available to us these days. As Tishrei pointed out, all these false healing ministries are a more recent thing. Also, with people from all nations traveling around and settling in other countries, we see all sorts of false religious beliefs springing up as they mix heathen religions with Christianity.
The Bible tells us to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and this is one way to grow. Thanks again, Tishrei.
Tishrei
November 29, 2011 at 8:11 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hi Margaret,
I think we live in a blessed time with respect to our modern bible tools. I have several programs on my computer that I use — Bible Works, eSword and The Word. They are excellent aids in helping me with my bible studies.
Those online aids that you posted about — I have used those as well especially when I’m not at home and I need to look up something.
Kent
November 29, 2011 at 1:57 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hey Blog Lady T.,
Great exegesis, as usual.
I do believe that God heals physical ailments through petitional prayer, and sometimes He does not.
However, that’s different than “Healing Ministries”. There I think what you have charlatans tring to sell spiritual gifts (the mirror image of Simon trying to buy them, but for similar reasons). Even if James did not say what you show he does and we could interpret his words in the English, these “ministries” would still be scams.
Tishrei
November 29, 2011 at 8:14 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hi Kent,
EXACTLY — God heals physical ailments through petional prayer not going to some person who thinks he has some power to heal.
Those scams sure make these “preachers” a ton of money. I can’t imagine what they’re going to say when they stand before God.
BLT!
Kent
November 30, 2011 at 2:37 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
They’re not going to say anything. I mean, maybe “Lord, Lord” but i kind of doubt it.
Sandy
December 27, 2011 at 10:07 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
This teaching sure gives me food for thought. My pastor would not agree with you as he would have to rethink his healing ministry. I don’t know what to believe. I would like to encourage you to write more as I find your writings very helpful.