Musing – Are We Prepared to Give an Answer? (A Greek Insight*)

 

“Greek” Musing – Are We Prepared to Give an Answer? (A Greek Insight*)

“But 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,…” 1st Peter 3:15 NKJV

‘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.  (It is the Holy Spirit-inspired Bible, not us, that shows what is right and what is 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.  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 make worldly life seem much easier because 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 taking heed lest we fall; 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 Saviour.”

One wonders how anyone could take offense at such an honest, self-effacing approach to defending our faith. But of course, some do.

Points to ponder

How powerful and  respectful is sharing our own testimony?

Are we looking for ways a person might be “asking” without them realizing they are “asking”?

God’s phone number is Jer.33:3 - “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you
 great and unsearchable things you do not know.”     Who needs to hear “the answer”?

“Make a friend, be a friend, bring a friend to Christ.”

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          February 16, 2021
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”  Weekly “Hebraic Musings” http://insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com/

*  A “Greek Insight” by Kurt Johnson, colleague who encouraged me 10+ years ago to start weekly Hebraic Musings.