INFIRMITY (in-ferrul-t51, (Heb. makk al-aw', sickness, Prov. xviii:14; Gr. eureeveLa, as ihen'i-ah, weakness or frailty of body).
(1) Disease or weakness of the body (Lev. xii: 2; I Tim. v:23).
(2) Outward afflictions, reproaches, persecu tions, and temptations (Heb. v:2; 2 Cor. xii:5, to).
(3) Spiritual weakness, and defects in grace (Rom. vi:t9). Fallings and mistakes committed through surprise and want of spiritual courage and strength (Rom. xv:1).
The weakness of God is stronger than men; the contemned method of salvation through the death of Christ, is more effectual to render men holy and happy, than all the supposedly wise schemes of men (1 Cor. i:25). The weakness and infirmity of Christ, were his frail human na ture, and the various reproaches, temptations, and troubles, he was compassed with (2 Cor. xiii :4 ; Heb. v:2). The weakness of the ceremo nial law, which occasioned its abolition, was its insufficiency to justify, sanctify, or save men (Heb. vii:18). Christ took our infirmities upon
him, and bare our sickness; he bare the punish ment of our iniquity ; he tenderly sympathizes with his people, and testified his affection, by curing the distressed (Matt. viii :17; Heb. iv :15). The Holy Ghost helps our infirmities; lie gradu ally heals our spiritual diseases; and notwith standing them, enables us to worship and serve God (Rom. viii :26). We ought to bear with the infirimities of the zueak, exercising patience and love towards the weak, notwithstanding their in firmities, and by kindly endeavoring to strengthen them (Rom. xv:i). The saints glory and take pleasure in infirmities and troubles, not in them selves, but as they are the means of glorifying God, and the occasions of his communicating strength to them 0 Cor. xii:5, to).