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Pastor Lud Golz
Pastor Lud Golz

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  Home | Transcript Archive | October | October 25, 2012

Thursday, October 25, 2012

As we continue to study 1 Peter 3:15-16 let’s try to amplify the third point under what we said was the focus of these verses: being prepared to give a persuasive answer about our hope in a hopeless world. The third point is, a persuasive response to enquiring minds.   

Dr. Wuest in his commentary on this book writes, “The words ‘give an answer’ are the translation of a Greek word used as a legal term in the courts. It means literally ‘to talk off from,’ and was used of an attorney who talked his client off from a charge preferred against him. He presented a verbal defense.” 
 
In the surrounding context for these two verses you find Peter giving instructions about how to live in the face of persecution and malicious slander. In other words, the ones asking for answers were not friendly enquirers. They were ruthless accusers. They were challenging one’s faith. They were threatening one’s life.
 
As such attacks come the tendency might be to fight fire with fire, sword with sword. But that is not how we are to respond. Our reasoned response should be presented “with gentleness and respect.” 
 
The word “gentleness” or “meekness,” is described as follows in the Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia: “it does not include timidity. Meekness does not mean weakness; rather it suggests controlled and bridled strength. Other adjectives describing this quality are ‘considerate,’ ‘unassuming,’ ‘courteous,’ and ‘humble.’” 
 
Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:25, when opposed we should “gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.”
 

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