Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I think that, in the context of the specific passage from Isaiah cited in the question (which speaks prophetically of Jesus (as the suffering Servant) being wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities), the manner in which His stripes are said to "heal" Christians is from a spiritual, rather than a physical, perspective by allowing those Christians (through faith in Him) to be spiritually reconciled to God, and to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life (although the risen, ascended, and glorified Christ can be a source of physical healing in this life, as well).

October 20 2018 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

n.l. pearson bible study teacher/revealer of the WORD

Isaiah tells us that Christ was wounded (understood) for our transgressions, crushed/bruised (understood) for our iniquities, on Him was the chastisement (strongly reprimanded, rebuked, punished) that brought us peace (understood), and with or by His stripes (beatings) we are healed.

There are many ways to be healed. Our minds need healing from anxiety. Philippians 4:7 says "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". Isaiah 26:3 says "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Our souls also need to be healed when we go through traumatic experiences. All this comes from that promise in Isaiah 53 and many other scriptures (see Psalms 1:1-4).

Our physical bodies are also healed. I spilled boiling soup over one of my hands years ago and it was horrible. Today, I cannot tell or remember which hand it was. This is because Psalm 139:14 says "...we are fearfully and wonderful made"- all of us whether we believe or not - the sun shines on the just and unjust. Jesus Himself healed many people during His time on earth and He continues to do the same for us who call upon His Name, have faith and receive. 

Even before Christ was crucified, he healed. Matthew 4:23 says that in Galilee "...Jesus healed every sickness and disease among the people". Matthew 4:24 says "News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them." There are many more body healing scriptures - The last one I'll mention is in James 5:14-16: "Is anyone among you sick? Let them call 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 the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." 

Also, there is an appointed time for all of us to leave this life on earth and transition to everlasting life.

Believe and have faith in God. Hebrews 9:26b-28: "But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."

October 20 2018 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

ainsley chalmers Medical Research Scientist, devoted family man.

God never does anything by halves. When scripture says "By His stripes we are healed" I believe that it means healed physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually unto salvation. In other God in Christ heals all aspects of our life. He is a good and wonderful God.

March 30 2019 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

Good question, Gregory! I think it's spiritual. "Healing is a metaphor for forgiveness here." bible.org 

About 60 years ago I was healed spiritually.

"The 'healing' in Isaiah 53:5 refers to the forgiveness of sins, NOT the healing of the body [1 Peter 2:24, one of my favorite verses in the Bible, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed."]; Ps. 103:3 -- as an interesting sideline to Psalm 103, "The word 'all' is found at least 9 times in the psalm (Ps 103:1-3, 6, 19, 21-22), for the psalm is a call for total commitment to God."). --Warren Wiersbe

Is it a coincidence that Moses cautioned the Jews 9 times in Deuteronomy not to forget God? I think not! "Sin is not only like a burden, but it is also like a sickness that only God can cure (Isa. 1:4-6; Jer. 30:12; Nah. 3:19)." --Warren Wiersbe

January 16 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

A Son

Jesus went to the whipping post for our healing in the flesh, thus "By His stripe We were healed", physically. He suffered temptation in the garden or gethsemane, and his soul was afflicted for our peace, soulish healing, peace. "I give you my peace, not as the world gives". He went to the cross and became sin, for cursed is he who dies on a tree. He became the curse, and gave His life, for our spiritual healing. Spirit, soul, and body healing for all who believe. This is not prosperity preaching, for unlike others who have incorporated this message into money gathering, I spread this message for free, the full gospel, with the signs and wonders following. As it is written, Romans 15:19 KJV
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

Anything less than the full gospel, is a gospel dead in the ditch of the Word. It is the Spirit of God in a human that makes a true disciple and believer. Stay in the middle of the road, not the ditch of the Word or the ditch of the Spirit. Be led by the Spirit, in alignment with His Word.

October 14 2019 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report