Hebraic Musing – Or
a “Greek Insight” - TELL THEM! (1st
Peter 3:15)
My good
friend and colleague, Kurt Johnson, has been publishing weekly “Greek Insights” for years. Here is a
classic example. If you enjoy it he would gladly add you to future
distributions. JohnsonKS@cox.net
Greek Insight - TELL THEM! 1st
Peter 3:15 says “…in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer
to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do
this with gentleness and respect…”
“Set
apart” is from the verb ἁγιάζω (hagiazow) and means “make holy.”
It’s in the imperative mood, indicating that this is a command and that anyone
can obey it if they choose to. The key idea here is to settle the matter in our
own hearts that only Christ is Lord. Do away with anything else—they’re
distracting idols. The act of setting apart Christ as Lord necessarily precedes
effective preparation and defense of the faith. Without Christ already made
holy in your heart, preparation and defense will be lukewarm and ineffective,
and possibly even wrong.
“Answer”
in “to give an answer” is from ἀπολογία (apologia)
and means “defense.” We get the English word “apologetics” from this. Peter
calls us not to initiate a defense, but to reply with a defense of the faith to
those who ask. When asked, tell them! But defending the faith is often not done
because it’s easier to assume that no one is asking than to recognize “ask”
signals in someone else. There are more ways to ask than the mere speaking of
the words. I believe we’re called to be alert to that.
Even
worse than missing an “ask” signal is the rationale that has gained widespread
acceptance even among those professing to be Christians. It is that “the mark
of tolerance is acknowledgement that people are free to believe and follow
whatever they want—as long as they are sincere they’re in fine shape as far as
God is concerned.” This rationale may be acceptable in the world of men, but
based on the Bible it stands in opposition. To accept this rationale is to
suggest that you don’t have to share the Word of God with anyone no matter how
Biblically ignorant their approach to life might be. Different strokes for
different folks, right? Hey, live as you wish! Wrong. If this rationale was
valid then Jesus did not have to suffer and die.
Let
me tell you a story. You and a friend both must cross a chasm. There are two
bridges, one red and one green, that span the chasm. You’ve both been told by a
trustworthy person that the green bridge is safe but the red bridge will break
if anyone uses it. You begin your crossing on the green bridge, but your friend
prefers using the red bridge. Since you feel that it’s wrong to correct anyone
who believes differently than you, you cannot warn your friend of the coming
disaster. You think that to do so would be to “judge” him. So you both pursue
your crossings according to what you each believe. Half-way across the chasm
the red bridge suddenly breaks and your friend tumbles downward into the abyss.
You are horrified. A voice comes to you saying: “Are you proud of not showing
your friend what you knew to be the truth? By your silence you did not withhold
judgment—you withheld love.”
In
“do this with gentleness and
respect” Peter is showing us how
to defend the faith. The word “respect” comes from φόβος (phobos), a noun that is usually
translated as “fear.” F H Wardlaw explains:
“This fear is self-distrust; it is tenderness of conscience; it is
vigilance against temptation; …it is a constant apprehension of the
deceitfulness of the heart, and of the insidiousness and power of inward
corruption. It is the caution and circumspection which timidly shrinks from
whatever would offend and dishonor God and the Savior.”
One
wonders how anyone could take offense at such an honest, self-effacing approach
to defending our faith. But of course, some do. Blessings, Kurt
Points to ponder
Who do you know who wants to cross on the wrong bridge?
Speak up! Tell them!
Yosef a.k.a.
Joe Brusherd, March 1, 2016
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