There are two verses that point to a positive view of the practice of medicine: "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” (Matt 9:12 Mark 2:7 Luke 5:31). Second, you ask if the practice of medicine is condemned in the New Testament. This does not mean that every possible definition of the word phramekeia is condemned. The translators have chosen this definition because of the context. Each time, it is translated as ‘sorcery’ or ‘magic’ and it is something that is spoken of in negative terms. In the New Testament the word pharmekeia occurs three times (Gal 5:19-21 Rev 9:21 18:23). It does not refer to both of these things at the same time.
It can refer to magic, but it very often refers to the practice of medicine or what might be called healing arts (see Liddell and Scott, a Greek-English Lexicon). Which I am referring to will depend entirely on context generally, when someone uses the word ‘drugs’ they have a specific meaning in mind rather than all three. When I use the word “drugs” I can be referring to Tylenol (which can be purchased over the counter) or to prescription drugs (which require the oversight of a physician), but I can also be referring to illegal drugs (such as meth). I think there are really three questions here: one about translation, one about the practice of medicine, and one about interpretation for today.įirst, translation: The word pharmakeia is very much like our word for ‘drugs’: that is, it can refer to many things.
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