[Greek] ἀδύνατος (adynatos), [Latin] impossibilis, [Latin] impotens: incapable, powerless, impossible; Mt.19:26, Mk.10:27, Lk.18:27, Acts 14:8, Rom.8:3, Rom.15:1, Heb.6:4,18, Heb.10:4, Heb.11:6
St. Paul Healing the Cripple at Lystra: painting by Karel Dujardin (1663)
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means unable, without strength, powerless, disabled, of no importance, impossible, unrealizable, unable, and feeble. Herodotus’ The Histories 9.60 states “But if, as may be, anything has befallen you which makes it impossible for you to aid us, do us the service of sending us your archers. We are sure that you will obey us knowing that you have been far more zealous.” Euripides’ Helen 811 states “You will hear. But to undertake impossibilities is no mark of wisdom.” Aristotle’s Athenian Constitution 49.4 states “The Council also inspects the Incapables; for there is a law enacting that persons possessing less than 3 minae and incapacitated by bodily infirmity from doing any work are to be inspected by the Council.” Herodotus’ The Histories 6.106 states “He told them what he had bee ordered to say, and they resolved to send help to the Athenians, but they could not do this, immediately for they were unwilling to break the law.”
Old Testament: This term means unable, needy, poor, oppressed, lowly, humble, impossible, and incompetent. But the poor from the edge of the sword and from the hand of the mighty, He saves (Job 5:15). Thou shall not wrest the judgment of my poor in His cause (Exo.23:6). Thou shalt no oppress a hired servant that is poor and needy (Deu.24:14) But man dies and lies prostrate (Job 14:10). And You save an afflicted people (2Sam.22:28). Let the weak man say, ‘I am a warrior’(Joel 3:10).
New Testament: This term means impossible, crippled, weakened, and failing. It is impossible to seek redemption for those who have turned away from the heavenly gift and the Holy Spirit. It is impossible for the blood of Old Testament sacrifices to take away sins. It is impossible to please and approach God without faith. It is impossible for humans to attain salvation by themselves. At Lystra Paul heals a lame and crippled man. The Law is powerless, weakened by the flesh.
Scripture:
“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible.’” Mt.19:26
In the Old Testament, wealth and material goods were considered a sign of God’s favor. Jesus claims that this type of wealth is a false sense of security. They were astonished when Jesus speaks of accumulating a more permanent spiritual treasure. Achievement of salvation is beyond human capability and depends solely on God’s goodness.
“At Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth, who had never walked.” Acts 14:8
Paul heals the crippled man. This is an opportunity for God’s grace to physically this man.
“For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats take away sins.” Heb.10:4
This scripture speaks to the ineffectual capacity of the Old Testament sacrifice to take away sins. Jesus offers Himself as a much superior sacrifice to take away sins.
Conclusion:
Dynamic, dynasty, impossible, impotent
It was interesting to discover the more nuanced meanings of this term. Such examples include disabled (ships), persons (of no importance), and undesirable (people). In light of the social-political structure of classes of people (powerful and wealthy, citizens, and slaves and the poor), I can see how this meaning would apply. Shipping was a very important industry in this Mediterranean culture. Incapables is a curious term for needy and incapable persons.
There are many Old Testament scriptural references pertaining to the down-trodden, humble, and oppressed. It was also interesting to discover the highly held Old Testament cultural preference for wealth. This Old Testament idea perhaps may have planted the seeds for the later notion of the “prosperity gospel” in current times (not in the New Testament era). Some could say Abraham was spiritually “rich” in his covenant with God. Therefore, one could also say wealth is also a blessing from God.
In the New Testament, the Old Testament sacrifice is less effective than the sacrifice offering from Jesus. In His providence, God uses Paul to provide a divine healing to the lame man. Jesus speaks against the Old Testament notion of wealth in talking about how one gets into heaven. Jesus claims that this material wealth is a false sense of security. Rather, Jesus claims that it is more important to gather spiritual treasures in heaven.
In my opinion, this notion of the “prosperity gospel” is a alteration (aberration) of the true meaning of the gospel message. A pastor (preacher) who has a mansion or a multi-million organization is not just a good look for others to see.
The Greeks called the needy and incapacitated Incapables. Hillary Clinton called Trump voters Deplorables. Now some are called worse names. These are examples of ridicule in any age. To say otherwise, would be impossible!
Update: We have now come into a time where powerful social media (tech) giants are beginning to censor, block and ban people (and followers) and articles (content information). As a result, many have flocked to other free speech platforms. Now these tech giants are working together to hinder this movement by restricting the downloading of apps and even potentially shutting off these platforms. These media tactics and practices feel like actions that are usually done by tyrannical and repressive regimes. It is very interesting to note that more and more people are making these same observations.
Many people feel worried, afraid, and helpless at this time in our country!
“Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.” Benjamin Franklin