"And who is he that will harm you, if you be followers of that which is good? But and if you suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are you: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well doing, than for evil doing." --I Peter 3:13-17 (KJV)
This passage contains that one "evangelism verse," namely verse 15, which always gets pulled as the purpose of apologetic seminars and local mission work. I have nothing against this; both of these are fully supported by this. But, taking Peter's context into account (his primary audience likely being 1st century Jews-converted-to-Jesus facing Roman persecution), I'd like to provide a brief scenario in this post.
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I always view this verse (perhaps erroneously ungracefully!) as if it is a call to arms. And surely Christian fellowship is one sword sharpening another (Proverbs 27:17 KJV), just as the weapon of the Christian is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17 KJV). Yet this attitude often leads me precariously off the ledge of grace-filled speech, when I remember mid-debate (and evangelism isn't debate! Gah!) that the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of man. This, I confess, is an improper understanding of evangelism, of this call to readiness of hope-response in I Peter 3, and of the fear of the LORD.
Peter sandwiches this verse (perhaps chiastically, being the highlighted climax between mirroring verses) immediately between instruction on how a Christian ought to be compassionate in living out the gospel of Christ and instruction on a suffering Christian's proper attitude, following the attitude of Christ.
[I chose the King James, because it translates a Greek word (no se cual; pardoname) as "conversation," as opposed to "behavior" (NASB & NIV & ESV).]
Proper evangelism is done both with "meekness" and "fear," knowing that God alone saves and enacts repentance in rebellious men. Proper evangelism is its definition (and more): announcing the gospel, which in turn means good news (and more). The gospel isn't just a new Justin Beiber song, that the "Hunger Games" came out (though Christian critics wouldn't call it "good," persay...), or that the Lakers are doing well. It's not a new skateboard or surfing trick perfected; it's not the A+ on a hard final exam. It's not getting accepted into the college of your choice; it's not the perfection of a musical piece. It's not a new Personal Record in Track, it's not the birth of a firstborn, it's not the increase of a huge stock investment, it's not winning the lottery, and it's not a marriage announcement. The good news of the gospel carries a weightier significance, bringing an international burden to all people: it is the announcement of victory from a lifetime of war; it is the announcement of the birth of a king; it is the toppling of tyranny; it is like the toppling of the statue of Saddam Hussein, it is like the Emancipation Proclamation, it is like the fall of the Berlin Wall; it is a ransom of utmost importance.
-----------
EDIT:
Argh. I forgot to add this-- on verse 17 "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well doing, than for evil doing." This passage is taken with the context of Peter encouraging his fellow Christians to be ready to (meekly and respectfully) present the gospel (which could include a stunning display of apologetics or not) to a world that despises and (ashamedly) mocks the foolishness of the gospel of Christ crucified. A wise man, an elder of Westminster OPC, principal and secretary of my elementary school, and a friend (whose name I'll abbreviate to his nickname LoJoe) once said, "It's often the opposite that's harder. Peter said (for, reader, this verse [I Peter 3:17] is the monthly all-school Bible verse printed on the bulletins) that you ought to suffer quietly for doing good. He said you'd better not be suffering for doing bad things! Not only is that harming the witness of Christ's Spirit in His followers, but it's also just! However, if you aren't praised for doing right things... now that's a hard pill to swallow. Suffer that equally quietly!"
--------
Lifted gratefully from Listening to the Language of the Bible (Lois Tverberg + Bruce Okkema):
The Hebrew word [pronounced in English as] besorah, which we translate "good news," has exactly the connotation of a nightmare was suddenly over and a new day had come. It is news of national importance: a victory in war, or the rise of a powerful new king. The word was used in relation to the end of the exile (Isaiah 52:7) and the coming of the messianic King (Isaiah 60:1). Often it is news that means enormous life-change for the hearer.
In Greek there is an equivalent word, euaggelion, [ευαγγελίων!!] which we also translate as "good news," "glad tidings," or "gospel." It also describes historic news of national importance. One place where this term is used is in the story of the angels who bring the news about the birth of Christ:
The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)
This announcement has fascinating context. In Jesus' time, there was a yearly announcement of the birthday of Caesar as "the euanggelion to the whole world." The Roman Empire considered it great news to remind the people of the ascendancy of this king and his reign over the known world. In the light of this, we see that the angels were doing the same thing, but in a much greater way--making an official proclamation to all the nations about the birth of the King of kings, and the arrival of a new kingdom on earth*.
When we learn that the word "evangelize" comes from euaggelizo (related to euaggelion), we can see the true power of the "good news" of the coming of Christ. Victory has been won in the war against Satan; and Christ, the true King, has come into power. The new King has come to extend an invitation to enter his kingdom and live under his reign. Like any regime change, the word "good" is far too bland** to express the impact of this news that brings eternal life to its hearers. May the news of this King spread everywhere on earth!
*I disagree with this; the earth always has been the Lord's, and Christ didn't come to establish a new kingdom in the manner of Pax Romana.
**"Good" derives directly from God. It is far overused and adulterated in English (I'm pretty guilty here...), but it is literally perfect to describe the gospel of God.
The gospel is good news! It's the best news!
This passage contains that one "evangelism verse," namely verse 15, which always gets pulled as the purpose of apologetic seminars and local mission work. I have nothing against this; both of these are fully supported by this. But, taking Peter's context into account (his primary audience likely being 1st century Jews-converted-to-Jesus facing Roman persecution), I'd like to provide a brief scenario in this post.
---------
I always view this verse (perhaps erroneously ungracefully!) as if it is a call to arms. And surely Christian fellowship is one sword sharpening another (Proverbs 27:17 KJV), just as the weapon of the Christian is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17 KJV). Yet this attitude often leads me precariously off the ledge of grace-filled speech, when I remember mid-debate (and evangelism isn't debate! Gah!) that the foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of man. This, I confess, is an improper understanding of evangelism, of this call to readiness of hope-response in I Peter 3, and of the fear of the LORD.
Peter sandwiches this verse (perhaps chiastically, being the highlighted climax between mirroring verses) immediately between instruction on how a Christian ought to be compassionate in living out the gospel of Christ and instruction on a suffering Christian's proper attitude, following the attitude of Christ.
[I chose the King James, because it translates a Greek word (no se cual; pardoname) as "conversation," as opposed to "behavior" (NASB & NIV & ESV).]
Proper evangelism is done both with "meekness" and "fear," knowing that God alone saves and enacts repentance in rebellious men. Proper evangelism is its definition (and more): announcing the gospel, which in turn means good news (and more). The gospel isn't just a new Justin Beiber song, that the "Hunger Games" came out (though Christian critics wouldn't call it "good," persay...), or that the Lakers are doing well. It's not a new skateboard or surfing trick perfected; it's not the A+ on a hard final exam. It's not getting accepted into the college of your choice; it's not the perfection of a musical piece. It's not a new Personal Record in Track, it's not the birth of a firstborn, it's not the increase of a huge stock investment, it's not winning the lottery, and it's not a marriage announcement. The good news of the gospel carries a weightier significance, bringing an international burden to all people: it is the announcement of victory from a lifetime of war; it is the announcement of the birth of a king; it is the toppling of tyranny; it is like the toppling of the statue of Saddam Hussein, it is like the Emancipation Proclamation, it is like the fall of the Berlin Wall; it is a ransom of utmost importance.
-----------
EDIT:
Argh. I forgot to add this-- on verse 17 "For it is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer for well doing, than for evil doing." This passage is taken with the context of Peter encouraging his fellow Christians to be ready to (meekly and respectfully) present the gospel (which could include a stunning display of apologetics or not) to a world that despises and (ashamedly) mocks the foolishness of the gospel of Christ crucified. A wise man, an elder of Westminster OPC, principal and secretary of my elementary school, and a friend (whose name I'll abbreviate to his nickname LoJoe) once said, "It's often the opposite that's harder. Peter said (for, reader, this verse [I Peter 3:17] is the monthly all-school Bible verse printed on the bulletins) that you ought to suffer quietly for doing good. He said you'd better not be suffering for doing bad things! Not only is that harming the witness of Christ's Spirit in His followers, but it's also just! However, if you aren't praised for doing right things... now that's a hard pill to swallow. Suffer that equally quietly!"
--------
Lifted gratefully from Listening to the Language of the Bible (Lois Tverberg + Bruce Okkema):
The Hebrew word [pronounced in English as] besorah, which we translate "good news," has exactly the connotation of a nightmare was suddenly over and a new day had come. It is news of national importance: a victory in war, or the rise of a powerful new king. The word was used in relation to the end of the exile (Isaiah 52:7) and the coming of the messianic King (Isaiah 60:1). Often it is news that means enormous life-change for the hearer.
In Greek there is an equivalent word, euaggelion, [ευαγγελίων!!] which we also translate as "good news," "glad tidings," or "gospel." It also describes historic news of national importance. One place where this term is used is in the story of the angels who bring the news about the birth of Christ:
The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)
This announcement has fascinating context. In Jesus' time, there was a yearly announcement of the birthday of Caesar as "the euanggelion to the whole world." The Roman Empire considered it great news to remind the people of the ascendancy of this king and his reign over the known world. In the light of this, we see that the angels were doing the same thing, but in a much greater way--making an official proclamation to all the nations about the birth of the King of kings, and the arrival of a new kingdom on earth*.
When we learn that the word "evangelize" comes from euaggelizo (related to euaggelion), we can see the true power of the "good news" of the coming of Christ. Victory has been won in the war against Satan; and Christ, the true King, has come into power. The new King has come to extend an invitation to enter his kingdom and live under his reign. Like any regime change, the word "good" is far too bland** to express the impact of this news that brings eternal life to its hearers. May the news of this King spread everywhere on earth!
*I disagree with this; the earth always has been the Lord's, and Christ didn't come to establish a new kingdom in the manner of Pax Romana.
**"Good" derives directly from God. It is far overused and adulterated in English (I'm pretty guilty here...), but it is literally perfect to describe the gospel of God.
The gospel is good news! It's the best news!
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