ἴασις

a cure, healing

Definition

ἴασις refers to the act or result of healing, specifically a cure or restoration to health. In the New Testament, it consistently denotes divine healing, particularly through the power of Jesus or the apostles. In Luke 13:32, Jesus speaks of performing 'healings' (ἰάσεις) as part of his ministry, indicating completed acts of restoration. In Acts 4:22 and 4:30, the term describes the notable healing of the lame man, emphasizing the miraculous nature and public witness of the cure.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only three times in the New Testament, all within narratives highlighting Jesus's and the apostles' miraculous power. It is used in Luke 13:32 within Jesus's defense of his ministry, and in Acts 4:22 and 4:30 concerning the apostolic healing that served as a powerful sign to the Jewish authorities and the early church. The usage pattern shows it applied to specific, notable instances of physical restoration that authenticated God's messengers.

Etymology

Derived from the verb ἰάομαι (iaomai, G2390), meaning 'to heal' or 'to cure.' The noun form ἴασις directly signifies the process or result of that healing action. It is part of a word family in Greek focused on medical and restorative treatment.

Semantic Range

ἴασις is theologically significant as it points to God's power to restore wholeness, a sign of the inbreaking kingdom of God through Jesus (Luke 13:32). These healings are not merely medical but are testimonies to Jesus's identity and the authority given to the apostles (Acts 4:22, 30). Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting that these acts are divine 'cures' that validate the gospel message and demonstrate God's compassion.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, healing was often associated with temples of Asclepius or other divine figures. The New Testament's use of ἴασις for Jesus's and the apostles' acts directly contrasts with these pagan contexts, presenting Yahweh as the true source of healing and Jesus as the unique agent of God's restorative power.

θεραπεία (therapeia, G2322) — often denotes service or medical treatment, with a broader sense of care. σωτηρία (sōtēria, G4991) — means 'salvation' or 'deliverance,' encompassing spiritual and sometimes physical wholeness, broader than just healing. ἴαμα (iama, G2386) — another noun for 'healing' or 'cure,' used interchangeably in some contexts (e.g., 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28).

Word Details

Scripture References