Paul instructed Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach's sake and he left Trophimus sick in Miletus. Why didn't he just pray for them to be healed? https://www.pexels.com/el-gr/photo/6267374/
[2Ti 4:20 NKJV] 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, but Trophimus I have left in Miletus sick.
[Some argue that because Paul didn’t heal Trophimus while he was with him, the numerous promises of healing the sick in the new Testament must not apply at times, however, there are other reasons besides this apparent failure of God’s Word that may be responsible for this situation. Reasons can include: 1) double-mindedness; 2) a source of unbelief; 3) a messenger of Satan; 4) lack of knowledge of God’s Word; 5) traditions and teachings of men that negate portions of God’s Word; and 6) other reasons that may have interfered with Trophimus’ healing. Only God knows for sure why Trophimus wasn’t healed and Timothy had to take a little wine for his stomach ailment.]
[Mar 16:18 NKJV] 18 "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
[1Ti 5:22-23 NKJV] 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure. 23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your frequent infirmities.
[Here Paul tells Timothy not to drink the water, yet Mark records that Jesus said you can drink any deadly thing and it shall not harm you. What is the harmony of these two passages? Could it be Timothy had unbelief and a hard heart like the disciples had? Perhaps a messenger for Satan, or other reasons was inhibiting his healing. Scripture doesn’t say. Still it is better to stand on the Scriptures promising healing in faith rather than to discount those passages because of our external circumstances. This passage does provide support for taking wise advantage of the blessing of remedies and medicine you may have available rather than always relying on a miracle answer to prayer. Remember, Paul’s traveling companion was Luke, a medical doctor, who recorded Paul’s ministry in the book of Acts so it is not wrong or unbelief to take advantage of the blessing of medicine and vaccines. It is wrong however to replace our reliance on God for healing, with the things of this world. And if you find yourself in a country or situation without access to medical technology, you know where to turn – God’s promises.]
[Act 28:8 NKJV] 8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.
[Here is an instance where Paul laid hands on Publius and healed him from dysentery, a disease often contracted from drinking the water, likely the same disease Timothy was suffering from. Is God the variable in these passages or is man?]
[Num 23:19 NLT] 19 God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?
[Heb 6:17 NLT] 17 God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind.
[God is unchanging therefore Man must be the variable. But we know that both Timothy and Publius did not die from dysentery. For more on praying for healing see tip 35) How to Pray for Healing & Salvation.]
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