What does the Bible say about sickness?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that sickness is a painful reality in a fallen world, yet God remains compassionate, sovereign, and near to his people, using even suffering to strengthen faith and point them to the hope of final restoration. James 5:14-15 calls believers to pray for the sick and seek the church's care, while Psalms 41:3 portrays the Lord as sustaining those on their sickbeds. Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 2:24 center our deepest healing in Christ, who bore sin and reconciles us to God. Romans 5:3-4 reminds us that trials can produce endurance and hope. Though God may heal in this life, Revelation 21:4 promises the complete end of pain, death, and sorrow in the new creation.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- 3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers.
- Romans 5:3-4
[3] Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance; [4] and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope:
- James 5:14-15
[14] Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, [15] and the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
- 1 Peter 2:24
who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.
- Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, But a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
- Psalms 41:3
Yahweh will sustain him on his sickbed, And restore him from his bed of illness.
- Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.
- Revelation 21:4
He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away."
- Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.
- Exodus 15:26
and he said, "If you will diligently listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and will pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Yahweh who heals you."
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- See AFFLICTION
- See DISEASE
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Sent by God Deuteronomy 28:59-61; Deuteronomy 32:39; 2 Samuel 12:15; Acts 12:23
- The devil sometimes permitted to inflict Job 2:6; Job 2:7; Luke 9:39; Luke 13:16
- Often brought on by intemperance Hosea 7:5
- Often sent as a punishment of sin Leviticus 26:14-16; 2 Chronicles 21:12-15; 1 Corinthians 11:30
- One of God’s four sore judgments on a guilty land Ezekiel 14:19-21
- God
- Promises to heal Exodus 23:25; 2 Kings 20:5
- Heals Deuteronomy 32:39; Psalms 103:3; Isaiah 38:5; Isaiah 38:9
- Exhibits his mercy in healing Philippians 2:27
- Exhibits his power in healing Luke 5:17
- Exhibits his love in healing Isaiah 38:17
- Often manifests saving grace to sinners during Job 33:19-24; Psalms 107:17-21
- Permits saints to be tried by Job 2:5; Job 2:6
- Strengthens saints in Psalms 41:3
- Comforts saints in Psalms 41:3
- Hears the prayers of those in Psalms 30:2; Psalms 107:18-20
- Preserves saints in time of Psalms 91:3-7
- Abandons the wicked to Jeremiah 34:17
- Persecutes the wicked by Jeremiah 29:18
- Healing of, lawful on the Sabbath Luke 13:14-16
- Christ compassionate those in Isaiah 53:4; Matthew 8:16; Matthew 8:17
- Christ healed
- Being present Mark 1:31; Matthew 4:23
- Not being present Matthew 8:13
- By imposition of hands Mark 6:5; Luke 13:13
- With a touch Matthew 8:3
- Through the touch of his garment Matthew 14:35; Matthew 14:36; Mark 5:27-34
- With a word Matthew 8:8; Matthew 8:13
- Faith required in those healed of, by Christ Matthew 9:28; Matthew 9:29; Mark 5:34; Mark 10:52
- Often incurable by human means Deuteronomy 28:27; 2 Chronicles 21:18
- The Apostles were endued with power to heal Matthew 10:1; Mark 16:18; Mark 16:20
- The power of healing
- One of the miraculous gifts bestowed on the early Church 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Corinthians 12:30; James 5:14; James 5:15
- Saints
- Acknowledge that, comes from God Psalms 31:1-8; Isaiah 38:12; Isaiah 38:15
- Are resigned under Job 2:10
- Mourn under, with prayer Isaiah 38:14
- Pray for recovery from Isaiah 38:2; Isaiah 38:3
- Ascribe recovery from, to God Isaiah 38:20
- Praise God for recovery from Psalms 103:1-3; Isaiah 38:19; Luke 17:15
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See also
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