Brief Overview of θεραπεία (Strong’s G2322: therapeia)

Introduction

Understanding Greek words in Biblical studies provides deeper insight into the text and context of the Scriptures. The Greek word θεραπεία (therapeia) is particularly significant, as it relates to concepts of healing, care, and service. This term is frequently used in the New Testament, often in the context of miraculous healings performed by Jesus and the apostles. Beyond its Biblical use, θεραπεία also offers a glimpse into ancient Greek culture, where it denoted a broader sense of service and care, reflecting the multifaceted nature of Greek thought on health, restoration, and the divine.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: θεραπεία (therapeia), [ther-ah-PI-ah]
• Etymology: Derived from the root word θεραπεύω (therapeuo), meaning “to serve,” “to care for,” or “to heal.”
• Part of Speech: Noun, feminine
• Grammatical Details: First declension noun
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• Healing – Refers to the process or act of restoring health.
• Cure – Denotes a remedy or treatment.
• Service – Implies care or attention given to others, often used in contexts where healing or medical care is provided.
• Attendance – Can also mean waiting upon or attending to someone, especially in a therapeutic or healing context.

Similar Words: θεραπεία is closely related to θεραπεύω (therapeuo, [ther-ah-PYOO-oh]), which means “to heal” or “to care for.” While θεραπεία is a noun that describes the act or process of healing or service, θεραπεύω is the corresponding verb that focuses on the action of healing or serving. Another related term is ἴασις (iasis, [EE-ah-sis]), meaning “healing” or “remedy,” which is more specific to the actual cure or restoration process.

Further Insights: θεραπεία is a first declension feminine noun in Greek. The following table shows its full declension:

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek: Understanding Greek Grammar: A Beginner’s Guide.

Lexicon Insights

• BDAG: Defines θεραπεία primarily as “healing” or “cure,” emphasizing its use in contexts where physical restoration is required. It also mentions “service” as a secondary meaning, particularly in contexts where caregiving or attendance is implied.
• Thayers: Offers a detailed definition of θεραπεία as “healing” or “cure” and notes that it can also mean “household attendance” or “domestic service,” providing a broader understanding of the term in Greek culture and literature.
• Vines: Explains that θεραπεία comes from θεραπεύω, meaning “to serve” or “to heal.” Vines highlights its frequent New Testament usage in connection with acts of healing, particularly those performed by Jesus and the apostles.
• LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): Notes the broader classical Greek usage of θεραπεία to mean “service,” “care,” “attendance,” or “healing.” It suggests that the term can also imply a form of worship or devotion, reflecting its versatile use in ancient literature.
• Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Lists θεραπεία as “healing,” “cure,” and “service,” underlining its application both in physical healing and broader service contexts, such as those found in the New Testament.

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Related Scripture References

• Luke 9:11 – “But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing [θεραπεία] those who had need of healing.”
• Revelation 22:2 – “In the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing [θεραπεία] of the nations.”

Classical Usage

Summary of θεραπεία (G2322)

θεραπεία (therapeia), meaning “healing,” “cure,” “service,” or “attendance,” is a word that offers significant insights into both Biblical texts and classical Greek literature. In the New Testament, it often refers to the miraculous healing performed by Jesus and the apostles, symbolizing divine power and compassion. However, its broader use in classical texts highlights its meaning as “service” or “care,” underscoring the Greek understanding of healing not just as a physical act but as a holistic approach to service and devotion. The term thus encapsulates a key aspect of Greek culture, where the concepts of healing, service, and divine care are intertwined.

Did You Know?

Did you know? The word θεραπεία is the root of the modern English term “therapy.” While today “therapy” generally refers to treatment for physical or mental health, in ancient Greece, θεραπεία encompassed a broader range of meanings, including service to the gods, acts of caregiving, and the art of healing. The multifaceted nature of the term highlights how intertwined the concepts of health, service, and spirituality were in ancient times.