### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek term `{{G5560}}` *chōlós* is an adjective primarily denoting a physical condition of impairment in the legs or feet, rendering an individual "halt," "limping," or "lame." Its core meaning refers to an inability to walk properly or at all, implying a state of debilitation. This word captures the essence of a physical disability that directly impacts mobility. While its usage in the New Testament is almost exclusively literal, describing those with physical infirmities, the state of lameness itself often carried social and religious implications in the ancient world, signifying vulnerability, dependence, and sometimes exclusion. The term does not inherently carry a metaphorical sense of spiritual lameness, but its literal meaning serves as a powerful backdrop for understanding divine intervention and restoration.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{G5560}}` *chōlós* appears frequently in the Gospels and Acts, predominantly in contexts describing miraculous healings performed by Jesus and His apostles. In the Synoptic Gospels, the healing of the lame is consistently listed among the signs of the Messiah's coming and the inbreaking of the Kingdom of God. For instance, when John the Baptist's disciples inquire about Jesus's identity, Jesus responds by citing the very works He performs: "the blind receive their sight and the lame walk" [[Matthew 11:5]] (also [[Luke 7:22]]). This fulfills Old Testament prophecy, particularly [[Isaiah 35:6]], which foretells a time when "the lame man will leap like a deer."
Notable instances include:
* **Mass Healings:** Jesus frequently healed large numbers of lame individuals, often alongside the blind and other infirm, demonstrating His divine authority and compassion ([[Matthew 15:30-31]], [[Matthew 21:14]]). The presence of the lame coming to Jesus in the temple and being healed underscores His accessibility and power.
* **The Man at the Pool of Bethesda:** While the specific word *chōlós* is not used to describe the man directly in [[John 5:3]], the context of his inability to walk for 38 years clearly places him in this category, and Jesus's command to "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk" [[John 5:8]] is a direct act of healing lameness.
* **The Lame Man at the Beautiful Gate:** This is perhaps the most iconic New Testament account involving *chōlós*. A man "lame from birth" [[Acts 3:2]] is miraculously healed by Peter and John in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. His subsequent leaping and walking [[Acts 3:8]] serve as a powerful public testimony to the resurrection and power of Christ, leading to widespread astonishment and many conversions ([[Acts 3:10]]). This event highlights the public, undeniable nature of the healing of the lame as a sign.
* **The Healing in Lystra:** Paul heals a man "lame from birth" who had "never walked" [[Acts 14:8]], causing the crowds to proclaim Paul and Barnabas as gods. This miracle again underscores the immediate and undeniable nature of the healing of lameness as a divine sign.
These occurrences consistently present *chōlós* as a state of physical inability that is miraculously overcome by divine power, serving as a tangible manifestation of God's redemptive work.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term `{{G5560}}` *chōlós* is often found in close association with other words describing physical infirmities, forming a common cluster of disabilities that Jesus and the apostles healed. These include:
* `{{G5185}}` *typhlos* (blind): Frequently paired with *chōlós* in lists of those healed ([[Matthew 11:5]], [[Matthew 15:30-31]]).
* `{{G2974}}` *kōphos* (deaf/mute): Also often listed alongside the lame and blind ([[Matthew 15:30-31]]).
* `{{G770}}` *astheneō* (to be weak, sick): A more general term for physical ailment, under which lameness could be categorized.
* `{{G5198}}` *hygiēs* (healthy, sound, well): This word denotes the state of wholeness and soundness that is restored to the lame through healing, emphasizing the complete reversal of their condition ([[John 5:6]], [[John 5:9]], [[John 5:11]], [[John 5:14]], [[John 7:23]]).
In the Old Testament, the concept of lameness (Hebrew: `{{H6455}}` *pisseaḥ*) carried significant religious implications. According to Mosaic Law, individuals with physical blemishes, including lameness, were excluded from serving as priests ([[Leviticus 21:18]]) and from offering certain sacrifices ([[Deuteronomy 15:21]]). This underscores a theological emphasis on physical perfection in the worship of a holy God. Furthermore, lame individuals were sometimes used as a symbol of scorn or exclusion, as seen when the Jebusites taunt David, claiming "the blind and the lame will repel you" in defense of Jerusalem ([[2 Samuel 5:6]]). The prophetic vision of the lame leaping ([[Isaiah 35:6]]) thus represents a profound reversal of exclusion and a sign of ultimate restoration.
### Theological Significance
The healing of the lame holds profound theological significance within the biblical narrative:
* **Messianic Fulfillment and Divine Authority:** The ability to make the lame walk was a clear sign of the Messiah's identity and the inbreaking of God's Kingdom, directly fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. Jesus's miracles over physical disabilities, including lameness, demonstrated His unique authority over creation and the effects of sin.
* **Compassion and Inclusion:** Jesus's consistent willingness to heal the lame highlights His profound compassion for the marginalized and suffering. In a society where lameness often led to social exclusion and dependence on alms, Jesus's acts of healing brought not only physical restoration but also social reintegration and dignity. This signifies God's heart for the vulnerable and His desire to include all in His redemptive plan, contrasting with Old Testament ceremonial exclusions.
* **Spiritual Restoration and New Creation:** While *chōlós* primarily refers to a physical condition, the miraculous healing points to a deeper spiritual reality. Just as Christ brings physical wholeness to the lame, He also brings spiritual restoration to those who are spiritually "lame" or unable to walk in God's ways due to sin. The restoration of the lame foreshadows the ultimate new creation, where all physical and spiritual brokenness will be eternally removed, and believers will walk in perfect health and righteousness in God's presence.
* **Evangelistic Proof:** The public and undeniable nature of healing the lame served as powerful evidence for the truth of the Gospel message, compelling many to believe, as seen in the aftermath of Peter's healing of the man at the Beautiful Gate ([[Acts 3:9-10]]).
### Summary
The Greek term `{{G5560}}` *chōlós* precisely describes a person who is "lame," "halt," or "crippled," unable to walk properly due to a physical impairment. In the New Testament, its primary significance lies in its role as a key indicator of divine power and the inbreaking of God's Kingdom through Jesus Christ and His apostles. The healing of the lame, often alongside the blind and deaf, served as a direct fulfillment of Old Testament messianic prophecies, demonstrating Jesus's authority, compassion for the marginalized, and His ability to restore wholeness. These miracles not only brought physical healing and social reintegration but also functioned as powerful signs, validating the Gospel message and pointing to the ultimate spiritual restoration and new creation found in Christ.
TRV