[B-Greek] Meaning of THERAPEUO

ann nyland nyland at tsn.cc
Wed Jan 12 02:56:50 EST 2005


Clay Bartholomew of this list has taken issue on another list with my 
comments on QERAPEUW on this list, specifically,
" ... In both the LXX and the
N.T. it [Qerapeuw] is the human word, whereas IAOMAI is the God word."

He objects on the basis that IAOMAI was used by Jesus. Perhaps I should have 
said IAOMAI is the DIVINE word - I myself do not see Jesus as "human". At 
any rate, these are not my own closely held views or my "observation" - 
these are the findings of current scholarship on Greek healing words of the 
NT, and those of Lousie Wells, printed in her definitive work of Greek 
healing words of the N.T.

Perahps it would be helpful if discussion of my words on this list took 
place on this list, not merely copied to another list of which I am not a 
member.

Ann Nyland

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert A Bayer" <robertbayer at juno.com>
To: <nyland at tsn.cc>
Cc: <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2005 1:54 PM
Subject: Re: [B-Greek] Meaning of THERAPEUO


> On Sun, 9 Jan 2005 15:22:27 +1100 "ann nyland" <nyland at tsn.cc> writes:
>
>> Hi Robert,
>> The papyri and inscriptions have added to our understanding of this
>> word, as  has Louise Wells of Australia's recent definitive work "The
> Greek
>> language  of Healing from Homer to New Testament Times", (Berlin:
>>Walter de Gruyter,  1998), see especially pp. 35, 39, 83, 510.
>
> As Ann knows this is a difficult book to obtain.  But I do have a request
> in for "Healing in the New Testament : insights from medical and
> Mediterranean" by  John J. Pilch.  Can any of you suggest for other
> resources, my Librarian might be able to obtain, that would help me
> better understand the meaning of QERAPEUW in the NT.
>
> I will append a questions I am asking to a summary of Ann's previous
> message.  Your assistance in answering this question would be most
> appreciated.
>
>> QERAPEUW describes the result of treatment which embraces physical
>> and psychological therapies, and usually involves a permanent change
>>of lifestyle - see, for example, IG >IV2 1, no. 126.
>
> <snip>
>
>> Isocrates, Aegineticus 11, 20-33 describes treatment, and
>> the resultant healing demands a response in the person who needs the
>> healing - this person takes an active part in the healing process. Note
> that
>> the opposite Greek word means "neglect". QERAPEUW  is associated with
>> hearing  the Word (both in pagan and NT contexts) and is often
> associated
>> with a  preaching context (again, bhoth in pagan and NT contexts).
>
>>It is ongoing: recovery may be rapid or slow. Diogenes Laertes says the
> terms >that Epicurus  used for things were "ordinary" terms. DL 10.13.
> Where >Epicurus uses QERAPEUW to mean heal, the healing agent is the
> LOGOS of >the philosopher.
>
> <snip>
>
>> QERAPEUW is linked with teaching and preaching. It is a continuous
>> process,  and is linked with changing one's way of life. L. Wells
> states,
>> "When  passive it (therapeuo) describes the result of God's healing
> logos,
>> but this result demands an active and ongoing response in the life of
> the
>> hearer of  the word. Thus humans can be both healed and themselves take
> an
>> active part  in the healing process." (op.cit., p. 119); "Therapeuo is
> the
>> visible effect  of teaching and preaching, the 'action' product of the
> message."
>
> <snip>
>
>> The use of QERAPEUW in the NT is most consistent with its uses from
>> earleir  centuries, and the person who was "healed" remained healed if
> they
>> contributed to their own "healing" (i.e. lifestyle).
>> Ann Nyland
>
>
> The QERAPEUW  of  Jesus and his disciples seemed to include preaching,
> teaching, and sometimes touching;  was their more to his QERAPEUW than
> this?
>
> Thanks for taking the time to read this.
> Your correspondence regarding this subject would be welcome and
> appreciated.
>
>
> God bless you,
> Bob Bayer
> Winchendon, MA USA
> 




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