Sermon for Sunday, September 8, 2024

Healing (θεραπεία)

Revelation 22:1–6 (NIV): 22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

θεραπεία-therapeia- feminine noun-

1. service, rendered by anyone to another.

2. special medical service, curing, healing: Luke 9:11; Revelation 22:2, ([Hippocrates], Plato, Isocrates, Polybius).

3. by metonymy, household, i. e. body of attendants, servants, domestics: Matthew 24:45 R G; Luke 12:42 (and often so in Greek writings; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 469; for עֲבָדִים, Genesis 45:16).[1]

Luke 9:11       When the crowds found out about it, they followed him. So he welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing (therapeias | θεραπείας | gen sg fem).

Luke 12:42     And the Lord said, “Who, then, is the faithful and wise steward, whom the master will put in charge of his servants (therapeias | θεραπείας | gen sg fem), to give the food ration at the proper time?

Revelation 22:2          through the middle of the city’s main street. On each side of the river was the tree of life producing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And its leaves were for the healing (therapeian | θεραπείαν | acc sg fem) of the nations.[2]

Genesis 45:14–24 (NRSV): 14 Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.

16 When the report was heard in Pharaoh’s house, “Joseph’s brothers have come,” Pharaoh and his servants were pleased. 17 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: load your animals and go back to the land of Canaan. 18 Take your father and your households and come to me, so that I may give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you may enjoy the fat of the land.’ 19 You are further charged to say, ‘Do this: take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives, and bring your father, and come. 20 Give no thought to your possessions, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours.’ ”

21 The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons according to the instruction of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey. 22 To each one of them he gave a set of garments; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver and five sets of garments. 23 To his father he sent the following: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain, bread, and provision for his father on the journey. 24 Then he sent his brothers on their way, and as they were leaving he said to them, “Do not quarrel along the way.”

Matthew 24:42–51 (NLT): 42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

45 “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 47 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 48 But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ 49 and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 50 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, 51 and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.


[1] “G2322 – therapeia – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv).” Blue Letter Bible. Accessed 3 Sep, 2024. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2322/kjv/tr/0-1/

[2] https://www.billmounce.com/greek-dictionary/therapeia

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