By His Wounds We Are Healed

In Hank Hankegraff’s Christianity in Crisis, he wrote, one of the Faith movement’s favourite proof texts is the wonderfully true Isaiah 53:5, which says, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Contrary to Faith teachings, it is common knowledge that the Hebrew word raphah often refers to spiritual rather than physical healing. For example, when the prophet Jeremiah says, “Return, O faithless sons; I will heal [raphah] your faithlessness,” he is obviously not referring to physical healing (Jeremiah 3:22 NASB).

Isaiah could hardly make it more clear that he has spiritual healing in mind when he writes that the Messiah (Christ) was to be pierced for our transgressions and crushed for out iniquities (Isaiah 53:5)

Peter builds on this understanding when he writes, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness by his wounds, you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:24, 25, emphasis added). Peter theme here could not be more clearly stated. Peter makes it plain that the healing referred to in Isaiah 53:5 is spiritual, not physical.

But let us suppose, for the sake of argument, that Isaiah 53:5 did refer to physical healing. Even so, it wouldn’t reach the panacea the Faith Teachers claim it does, for such interpretation carries an unwelcome corollary.

If healing is in the atonement and is accessed by faith, then those who die due to lack of faith must remain in their sins, they die without hope. Why? Because if both healing and salvation are included in this passage, they must be accessed in the same way. And of one does not have enough faith to make oneself well, it follows that he cannot have enough faith to be saved. Therefore those who die physically due to lack of faith must also wind up in hell for the same reason. But I doubt you will hear the Faith Teachers proclaim this point any times soon, since relatives and friends of the deceased are not like to applaud teachers of such a melancholy doctrine.

No, it is clear that Isaiah 53:5 does not have physical healing in view. Interestingly, however, the verse immediately preceding it does speak of healing for the body. Here Isaiah writes, “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.” Physical healing here is not only clear in context, but is it also affirmed by the Gospels, where it is given an important qualification. Matthew writes, “When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah; ‘he took up our infirmities and carried out diseases.’ ”(Matthew 8:16, 17, emphasis added).

Thus the healing mentioned in Isaiah was fulfilled during the healing ministry of Christ – before His atonement on the cross! – and consequently does not quarantine our healing today.

In his book, Money , Possessions and Eternity, Randy Alcorn goes on to add,

If you've prayed for healing and not received it, take heart-you're in good company! Not only was Paul himself not healed, but he also had to leave Trophimus in Miletus be­cause of sickness (2 Timothy 4:20). His beloved friend Epaphroditus was gravely ill (Philippians 2:24-30). His son in the faith, Timothy, had frequent stomach disorders, for which Paul didn't tell him to "claim healing" but to drink a little wine for medicinal purposes (1 Timothy 5:23). Those who claim enough faith can be healed" apparently have greater faith than Paul and his mis­sionary associates.


Please do not be mistaken that I am against praying for healing. Beside demonstrating that the interpretation of Isaiah 53:5 is incorrect. I would to highlight that in James 5:14-16, "Is anyone of you sick? Let them call on the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. and the prayer offered in faith will make them well, the Lord will raise them up..If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore, confess our sins to each other and pray for each other so that we are healed." However, when we do not get healed, we should continue to trust God.