### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek lemma κυλλός (kyllós, `{{G2948}}`) describes a physical state of severe impairment. Its etymological root is connected to κυλιόω (kyliōo, `{{G2947}}`), meaning "to roll" or "to wallow," suggesting an underlying concept of instability or a "rocking about" motion. This etymological nuance gives rise to its primary definition: "crippled" or "maimed." Specifically, κυλλός refers to a significant disability of the limbs, whether hands or feet, indicating a loss of proper function or a severe deformity. It conveys a state of being physically incapacitated, distinct from other forms of disability like blindness or deafness, focusing squarely on the inability to use one's limbs effectively. The term implies a permanent and often visible limitation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κυλλός appears infrequently in the New Testament, primarily within the Synoptic Gospels, and serves two distinct but related functions:
* **Describing Physical Ailment and Healing:** In [[Matthew 15:30-31]], κυλλός is listed among various physical infirmities (lame, blind, mute) brought to Jesus for healing. "Great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, so that the crowd wondered, when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel." Here, κυλλός describes individuals whose limbs were severely impaired, and their miraculous restoration to wholeness by Jesus underscores His divine authority and compassion. The context highlights the comprehensive nature of Jesus' healing ministry, encompassing all forms of human brokenness.
* **Metaphorical Usage for Radical Discipleship:** In two parallel passages, Jesus employs κυλλός metaphorically to emphasize the absolute priority of spiritual life over physical wholeness. In [[Matthew 18:8]], Jesus states, "And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire." Similarly, [[Mark 9:43]] reads, "And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire." In these contexts, being "maimed" (κυλλός) serves as a stark image to convey the radical commitment required to avoid sin and secure eternal life. It is a hyperbole demanding a willingness to sacrifice anything, even something as vital as a limb, to escape spiritual destruction.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{G5560}}` χωλός (chōlos):** Often translated "lame," this term frequently appears alongside κυλλός in lists of ailments (e.g., [[Matthew 15:30]]). While κυλλός generally implies a more severe, perhaps congenital or permanently deformed, state of a limb, χωλός refers to a broader range of lameness or limping, which could be due to various causes. The distinction, though subtle, suggests κυλλός points to a more fundamental and perhaps visually apparent impairment.
* **`{{G2947}}` κυλιόω (kyliōo):** The verbal root from which κυλλός is derived, meaning "to roll" or "to wallow." This etymological link reinforces the sense of instability or lack of proper control associated with a maimed limb.
* **Healing and Restoration:** κυλλός is intimately linked with the theme of divine healing, as Jesus' miracles frequently involved restoring those with such impairments. This connects to broader concepts of God's redemptive power and the inbreaking of His Kingdom.
* **Sin and Sacrifice:** In its metaphorical usage, κυλλός is juxtaposed with the concept of sin and the radical demands of discipleship. It highlights the call to self-denial and the prioritization of spiritual purity over physical comfort or wholeness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κυλλός (kyllós) is multifaceted. Firstly, in the context of Jesus' healing ministry, the presence of the "maimed" among those He healed underscores the **comprehensive and transformative power of God's Kingdom**. Jesus' ability to restore such severe physical brokenness demonstrates His sovereignty over all human infirmity and the effects of a fallen world. These healings are not merely acts of compassion but powerful signs of the Messiah's arrival, fulfilling prophetic expectations of a time when the physically afflicted would be made whole. They point to a holistic salvation that encompasses the physical body as well as the soul.
Secondly, the metaphorical use of κυλλός in Jesus' teachings on radical discipleship (e.g., [[Matthew 18:8]], [[Mark 9:43]]) carries profound ethical weight. By urging His followers to be willing to enter eternal life "maimed" rather than whole but bound for destruction, Jesus emphasizes the **absolute priority of spiritual integrity and eternal life over any earthly possession or physical perfection**. This hyperbolic language highlights the extreme seriousness of sin and the uncompromising demands of following Christ. It challenges believers to a level of commitment that is willing to "cut off" anything—no matter how precious or integral it seems—that causes them to stumble spiritually. This underscores a theology of costly discipleship and the infinite value of salvation.
### Summary
The Greek word κυλλός (kyllós, `{{G2948}}`) denotes someone who is "maimed" or "crippled," specifically referring to a severe impairment of the hands or feet, rooted in the concept of instability. In the New Testament, κυλλός functions in two significant ways. Descriptively, it identifies individuals whom Jesus miraculously healed, showcasing His divine power to restore physical brokenness and demonstrating the comprehensive nature of His redemptive work ([[Matthew 15:30-31]]). Metaphorically, Jesus employs κυλλός to convey the radical demands of discipleship, urging followers to prioritize spiritual purity and eternal life above all else, even if it means a willingness to "enter life maimed" rather than succumb to sin and face eternal condemnation ([[Matthew 18:8]], [[Mark 9:43]]). Thus, κυλλός powerfully illustrates both the compassionate, restorative power of Christ and the uncompromising, transformative call to follow Him with absolute devotion.
TRV