Definition: And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up [herself].

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that verse from Luke 13:11. It’s a really powerful and thought-provoking passage about suffering and compassion. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Situation: “A woman which had a spirit of infirmity…” – This describes someone who is deeply unwell and experiencing significant pain. “Spirit of infirmity” suggests a persistent, debilitating condition that’s not easily healed. “…and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up [herself].” – This is the core of the verse. The woman is completely slumped over, unable to stand or move forward. It's like she's trapped in a position of profound suffering. What it’s saying – A Message about God’s Perspective: Jesus is telling us that God sees this woman as suffering much more severely than we do. He’s highlighting a situation where our problems and difficulties are often viewed through a very different lens than ours. Here's the important takeaway: God understands suffering. It’s not just about our pain; it’s about God's awareness of the pain that exists in the world, even when we don’t see it. Our problems are often smaller than God’s. Jesus is saying that our struggles and difficulties – things like illness, grief, loneliness, or hardship – aren’t as significant to him as the suffering of someone with a deep, persistent spirit of infirmity. It's about perspective: The verse encourages us to look beyond our own problems and consider how we might be impacting others. It prompts us to think about empathy and compassion for those who are struggling. In essence, it’s a reminder that God sees the whole picture – including the suffering of others – and responds with love and concern. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Talk about the context of this passage in the Bible? Relate it to a specific story or theme?