Danger of Compromising

Believers’ responses to evil

Evil is to be avoided

Ps 1:1; Pr 4:14; 1 Th 5:22

Psalm 1:1 (NKJV) — 1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

Proverbs 4:14 (NKJV) — 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 (NKJV) — 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

See also Job 28:28; Ps 119:115; Pr 4:27; Pr 14:16; Is 52:11; Ac 2:40 Peter’s appeal to the crowd; Ro 12:9; Ro 13:14

Job 28:28 (NKJV) — 28 And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’ ”

Psalm 119:115 (NKJV) — 115 Depart from me, you evildoers, For I will keep the commandments of my God!

Proverbs 4:27 (NKJV) — 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.

Proverbs 14:16 (NKJV) — 16 A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.

Isaiah 52:11 (NKJV) — 11 Depart! Depart! Go out from there, Touch no unclean thing; Go out from the midst of her, Be clean, You who bear the vessels of the Lord.

Acts 2:40 (NKJV) — 40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”

Romans 13:14 (NKJV) — 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Evil likened to yeast:

1 Co 5:6–7; Ga 5:9

1 Corinthians 5:6–7 (NKJV) — 6 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

Galatians 5:9 (NKJV) — 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

2 Co 6:14–18; Eph 4:27; Eph 5:3; Eph 5:6–7; 2 Th 3:6; 1 Pe 3:11; Ps 34:14

2 Corinthians 6:14–18 (NKJV) — 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Ephesians 4:27 (NKJV) — 27 nor give place to the devil.

Ephesians 5:3 (NKJV) — 3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;

Ephesians 5:6–7 (NKJV) — 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 (NKJV) — 6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.

1 Peter 3:11 (NKJV) — 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 34:14 (NKJV) — 14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

Evil is to be hated

Pr 8:13

Proverbs 8:13 (NKJV) — 13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.

See also Ps 97:10; Am 5:15; Jn 3:20; Ro 12:9

Psalm 97:10 (NKJV) — 10 You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.

Amos 5:15 (NKJV) — 15 Hate evil, love good; Establish justice in the gate. It may be that the Lord God of hosts Will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

John 3:20 (NKJV) — 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

Evil is to be rebuked

Mt 16:23; 2 Ti 4:2

Matthew 16:23 (NKJV) — 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

2 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV) — 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

See also 1 Sa 2:29; 1 Sa 13:13; 1 Sa 15:22; 2 Sa 12:9 Nathan rebukes David; 1 Ki 18:18 Elijah rebukes Ahab; 2 Ch 16:9; 2 Ch 24:20; 2 Ch 26:18; Ezr 10:10; Ps 141:5; Da 4:27; Da 5:22; Mt 14:4 John the Baptist rebukes Herod; Lk 23:40; Ac 5:3–4 Peter rebukes Ananias; Ac 5:9 Peter rebukes Sapphira; 1 Ti 1:3; 1 Ti 5:20; Tt 1:13; Tt 2:15

1 Samuel 2:29 (NKJV) — 29 Why do you kick at My sacrifice and My offering which I have commanded in My dwelling place, and honor your sons more than Me, to make yourselves fat with the best of all the offerings of Israel My people?’

1 Samuel 13:13 (NKJV) — 13 And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.

1 Samuel 15:22 (NKJV) — 22 So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.

2 Samuel 12:9 (NKJV) — 9 Why have you despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon.

1 Kings 18:18 (NKJV) — 18 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Baals.

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV) — 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

2 Chronicles 24:20 (NKJV) — 20 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.’ ”

2 Chronicles 26:18 (NKJV) — 18 And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the Lord God.”

Ezra 10:10 (NKJV) — 10 Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have transgressed and have taken pagan wives, adding to the guilt of Israel.

Psalm 141:5 (NKJV) — 5 Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.

Daniel 4:27 (NKJV) — 27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”

Daniel 5:22 (NKJV) — 22 “But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this.

Matthew 14:4 (NKJV) — 4 Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

Luke 23:40 (NKJV) — 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?

Acts 5:3–4 (NKJV) — 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Acts 5:9 (NKJV) — 9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”

1 Timothy 1:3 (NKJV) — 3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

1 Timothy 5:20 (NKJV) — 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

Titus 1:13 (NKJV) — 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith,

Titus 2:15 (NKJV) — 15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Evil is to be resisted

Proverbs 1:10 (NKJV) — 10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.

Galatians 2:11 (NKJV) — 11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed;

Ephesians 6:11 (NKJV) — 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

James 4:7 (NKJV) — 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

1 Corinthians 5:13 (NKJV) — 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

Ephesians 5:11 (NKJV) — 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) — 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

1 Peter 2:1 (NKJV) — 1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,

1 Peter 5:9 (NKJV) — 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Evil is to be repaid with good

Luke 6:35 (NKJV) — 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

Romans 12:20–21 (NKJV) — 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Proverbs 25:21–22 (NKJV) — 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.

Exodus 23:5 (NKJV) — 5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it.

Leviticus 19:18 (NKJV) — 18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Matthew 5:44 (NKJV) — 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NKJV) — 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

1 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) — 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

Believers should pray in response to evil

Matthew 6:13 (NKJV) — 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Acts 4:29 (NKJV) — 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,

Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) — 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Exodus 17:4 (NKJV) — 4 So Moses cried out to the Lord, saying, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me!”

1 Kings 18:36 (NKJV) — 36 And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word.

2 Kings 19:19 (NKJV) — 19 Now therefore, O Lord our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone.”

2 Chronicles 20:12 (NKJV) — 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

Ezra 8:23 (NKJV) — 23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.

Nehemiah 1:4 (NKJV) — 4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Matthew 26:41 (NKJV) — 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Acts 12:5 (NKJV) — 5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

James 5:13 (NKJV) — 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.

Believers should trust God in the face of evil

Psalm 23:4 (NKJV) — 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Matthew 26:39 (NKJV) — 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Psalm 4:8 (NKJV) — 8 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 20:7 (NKJV) — 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

Psalm 27:1 (NKJV) — 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

Isaiah 12:2 (NKJV) — 2 Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ”

Daniel 3:17–18 (NKJV) — 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

Habakkuk 3:17–18 (NKJV) — 17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

2 Timothy 1:12 (NKJV) — 12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Hebrews 13:6 (NKJV) — 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Psalm 118:6–7 (NKJV) — 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 7 The Lord is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.

Circumcision, spiritual

Synopsis

On its own, the physical sign of circumcision is no guarantee of finding favour in the sight of God. It was intended to be the outward sign of inward consecration and should be accompanied by repentance, faith and obedience. Paul stresses that circumcision confers no special privileges upon individuals; it is faith in God, rather than any outward sign, that ensures that believers stand in a right relationship to God.

Physical circumcision has no value without the obedience of the heart

Dt 30:6

Deuteronomy 30:6 (NKJV) — 6 And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

See also Dt 10:14–16; Je 4:4

Deuteronomy 10:14–16 (NKJV) — 14 Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it. 15 The Lord delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. 16 Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.

Jeremiah 4:4 (NKJV) — 4 Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, And take away the foreskins of your hearts, You men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, Lest My fury come forth like fire, And burn so that no one can quench it, Because of the evil of your doings.”

Ro 2:28–29

Romans 2:28–29 (NKJV) — 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

See also Ro 2:25–27; 1 Co 7:19

Romans 2:25–27 (NKJV) — 25 For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27 And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law?

1 Corinthians 7:19 (NKJV) — 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.

Circumcision and faith

Ga 5:6

Galatians 5:6 (NKJV) — 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

See also Ro 3:30

Romans 3:30 (NKJV) — 30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

Abraham’s righteousness depended on his faith, not on the covenant of circumcision

Ga 3:6; Ge 15:6; Ro 4:9–12

Galatians 3:6 (NKJV) — 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”

Genesis 15:6 (NKJV) — 6 And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

Romans 4:9–12 (NKJV) — 9 Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.

Paul values the law as part of God’s plan

Ro 3:1–2

Romans 3:1–2 (NKJV) — 1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.

The sharp debate about circumcision for Christians

The Council of Jerusalem

Ac 15:1–19

Acts 15:1–19 (NKJV) — 1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. 4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” 6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” 12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles. 13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: 16 ‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up; 17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’ 18 “Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,

Jewish Christians in Jerusalem criticise Peter for accepting hospitality from Cornelius and his (uncircumcised) friends

Ac 11:1–3

Acts 11:1–3 (NKJV) — 1 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”

God’s acceptance of uncircumcised Gentiles is clear from the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them

Ac 10:44–46

Acts 10:44–46 (NKJV) — 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,

See also Ac 10:34

Acts 10:34 (NKJV) — 34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.

Peter’s misgivings about Gentile believers and the law

Ga 2:11–16 the dispute between Paul and Peter

Galatians 2:11–16 (NKJV) — 11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Imposing circumcision upon Gentile Christians denies the freedom of the gospel

Ga 5:1–6 To insist on circumcision is to nullify the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Galatians 5:1–6 (NKJV) — 1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

See also Ga 2:3–5; Ga 3:14

Galatians 2:3–5 (NKJV) — 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Galatians 3:14 (NKJV) — 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

“Judaisers” should be resisted

Ga 5:7–12; Ga 6:12–13; Ga 6:15; Php 3:2–3; Tt 1:10–11

Galatians 5:7–12 (NKJV) — 7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!

Galatians 6:12–13 (NKJV) — 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

Galatians 6:15 (NKJV) — 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.

Philippians 3:2–3 (NKJV) — 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

Titus 1:10–11 (NKJV) — 10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.

To be “in Christ” is to be spiritually circumcised

Col 2:11–12

Colossians 2:11–12 (NKJV) — 11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

See also Col 3:11

Colossians 3:11 (NKJV) — 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

Paul’s confidence in Jesus Christ

Php 3:4–9

Philippians 3:4–9 (NKJV) — 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

The relationship between baptism and circumcision in the NT

Col 2:11–13 Both circumcision and baptism may each be described as a “seal”. Baptism signifies entry into the new covenant in the same way that circumcision marked initiation into the old; Ro 4:11 Abraham the father of all believers; 2 Co 1:21–22; Eph 1:13

Colossians 2:11–13 (NKJV) — 11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,

Romans 4:11 (NKJV) — 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also,

2 Corinthians 1:21–22 (NKJV) — 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Ephesians 1:13 (NKJV) — 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Compromise

Compromise

Synopsis

Usually a combination of contrasting values, practices or persons incurring God’s disapproval, but it can also be a positive way to achieve a greater good.

God forbids compromising associations

Israel was not to associate with paganism

Ex 20:3

Exodus 20:3 (NKJV) — 3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.

See also Ex 23:32–33; Ex 34:12–16; Dt 7:2–4; 1 Ki 18:21

Exodus 23:32–33 (NKJV) — 32 You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”

Exodus 34:12–16 (NKJV) — 12 Take heed to yourself, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be a snare in your midst. 13 But you shall destroy their altars, break their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images 14 (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), 15 lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they play the harlot with their gods and make sacrifice to their gods, and one of them invites you and you eat of his sacrifice, 16 and you take of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters play the harlot with their gods and make your sons play the harlot with their gods.

Deuteronomy 7:2–4 (NKJV) — 2 and when the Lord your God delivers them over to you, you shall conquer them and utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them nor show mercy to them. 3 Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. 4 For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the Lord will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly.

1 Kings 18:21 (NKJV) — 21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.

Christians must not compromise their allegiance

Jas 4:4

James 4:4 (NKJV) — 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

See also Mt 6:24; Ro 13:14; 2 Co 6:14–16; Ga 1:6–9; Jas 4:8

Matthew 6:24 (NKJV) — 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Romans 13:14 (NKJV) — 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

2 Corinthians 6:14–16 (NKJV) — 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”

Galatians 1:6–9 (NKJV) — 6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

James 4:8 (NKJV) — 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Israel’s compromises with paganism

In worship

1 Ki 12:28–30 The Lord’s action in bringing Israel up out of Egypt is here attributed to the golden calves representing Baal.

1 Kings 12:28–30 (NKJV) — 28 Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!” 29 And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. 30 Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan.

See also Ex 32:2–6; Jdg 2:11–12; Jdg 8:27; 2 Ki 1:2–3; 2 Ki 16:10–16; 2 Ki 17:32–33; 2 Ki 17:41; 2 Ch 28:22; Re 2:20–23

Exodus 32:2–6 (NKJV) — 2 And Aaron said to them, “Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. 4 And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf. Then they said, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!” 5 So when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.” 6 Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Judges 2:11–12 (NKJV) — 11 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served the Baals; 12 and they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the Lord to anger.

Judges 8:27 (NKJV) — 27 Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah. And all Israel played the harlot with it there. It became a snare to Gideon and to his house.

2 Kings 1:2–3 (NKJV) — 2 Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria, and was injured; so he sent messengers and said to them, “Go, inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this injury.” 3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?’

2 Kings 16:10–16 (NKJV) — 10 Now King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus; and King Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the design of the altar and its pattern, according to all its workmanship. 11 Then Urijah the priest built an altar according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus. So Urijah the priest made it before King Ahaz came back from Damascus. 12 And when the king came back from Damascus, the king saw the altar; and the king approached the altar and made offerings on it. 13 So he burned his burnt offering and his grain offering; and he poured his drink offering and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings on the altar. 14 He also brought the bronze altar which was before the Lord, from the front of the temple—from between the new altar and the house of the Lord—and put it on the north side of the new altar. 15 Then King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, “On the great new altar burn the morning burnt offering, the evening grain offering, the king’s burnt sacrifice, and his grain offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, their grain offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle on it all the blood of the burnt offering and all the blood of the sacrifice. And the bronze altar shall be for me to inquire by.” 16 Thus did Urijah the priest, according to all that King Ahaz commanded.

2 Kings 17:32–33 (NKJV) — 32 So they feared the Lord, and from every class they appointed for themselves priests of the high places, who sacrificed for them in the shrines of the high places. 33 They feared the Lord, yet served their own gods—according to the rituals of the nations from among whom they were carried away.

2 Kings 17:41 (NKJV) — 41 So these nations feared the Lord, yet served their carved images; also their children and their children’s children have continued doing as their fathers did, even to this day.

2 Chronicles 28:22 (NKJV) — 22 Now in the time of his distress King Ahaz became increasingly unfaithful to the Lord. This is that King Ahaz.

Revelation 2:20–23 (NKJV) — 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

In foreign alliances

Is 30:1–2

Isaiah 30:1–2 (NKJV) — 1 “Woe to the rebellious children,” says the Lord, “Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin; 2 Who walk to go down to Egypt, And have not asked My advice, To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!

See also 2 Ch 19:2; 2 Ch 20:35–37; 2 Ch 28:16–21; Is 31:1; Ho 5:13; Ho 7:8–9; Ho 7:11

2 Chronicles 19:2 (NKJV) — 2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Therefore the wrath of the Lord is upon you.

2 Chronicles 20:35–37 (NKJV) — 35 After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted very wickedly. 36 And he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion Geber. 37 But Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works.” Then the ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

2 Chronicles 28:16–21 (NKJV) — 16 At the same time King Ahaz sent to the kings of Assyria to help him. 17 For again the Edomites had come, attacked Judah, and carried away captives. 18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the lowland and of the South of Judah, and had taken Beth Shemesh, Aijalon, Gederoth, Sochoh with its villages, Timnah with its villages, and Gimzo with its villages; and they dwelt there. 19 For the Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had encouraged moral decline in Judah and had been continually unfaithful to the Lord. 20 Also Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came to him and distressed him, and did not assist him. 21 For Ahaz took part of the treasures from the house of the Lord, from the house of the king, and from the leaders, and he gave it to the king of Assyria; but he did not help him.

Isaiah 31:1 (NKJV) — 1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the Lord!

Hosea 5:13 (NKJV) — 13 “When Ephraim saw his sickness, And Judah saw his wound, Then Ephraim went to Assyria And sent to King Jareb; Yet he cannot cure you, Nor heal you of your wound.

Hosea 7:8–9 (NKJV) — 8 “Ephraim has mixed himself among the peoples; Ephraim is a cake unturned. 9 Aliens have devoured his strength, But he does not know it; Yes, gray hairs are here and there on him, Yet he does not know it.

Hosea 7:11 (NKJV) — 11 “Ephraim also is like a silly dove, without sense— They call to Egypt, They go to Assyria.

In marriage

1 Ki 11:1–11

1 Kings 11:1–11 (NKJV) — 1 But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites—2 from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. 3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. 4 For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David. 7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon. 8 And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. 9 So the Lord became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, 10 and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep what the Lord had commanded. 11 Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.

See also 1 Ki 16:31; 2 Ch 18:1; Ezr 9:2; Ne 13:23; Ne 13:25–26

1 Kings 16:31 (NKJV) — 31 And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him.

2 Chronicles 18:1 (NKJV) — 1 Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and by marriage he allied himself with Ahab.

Ezra 9:2 (NKJV) — 2 For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass.”

Nehemiah 13:23 (NKJV) — 23 In those days I also saw Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.

Nehemiah 13:25–26 (NKJV) — 25 So I contended with them and cursed them, struck some of them and pulled out their hair, and made them swear by God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters as wives to their sons, nor take their daughters for your sons or yourselves. 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, who was beloved of his God; and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless pagan women caused even him to sin.

Motives for compromise

Fear

Ge 26:7–9

Genesis 26:7–9 (NKJV) — 7 And the men of the place asked about his wife. And he said, “She is my sister”; for he was afraid to say, “She is my wife,” because he thought, “lest the men of the place kill me for Rebekah, because she is beautiful to behold.” 8 Now it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked through a window, and saw, and there was Isaac, showing endearment to Rebekah his wife. 9 Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Quite obviously she is your wife; so how could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to him, “Because I said, ‘Lest I die on account of her.’ ”

See also Ge 12:11–13; Ge 12:18–19; Ge 19:18–20; Ge 20:2; Ge 20:11; Ga 2:12–13

Genesis 12:11–13 (NKJV) — 11 And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. 12 Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.”

Genesis 12:18–19 (NKJV) — 18 And Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’? I might have taken her as my wife. Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way.”

Genesis 19:18–20 (NKJV) — 18 Then Lot said to them, “Please, no, my lords! 19 Indeed now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have increased your mercy which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die. 20 See now, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one; please let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.”

Genesis 20:2 (NKJV) — 2 Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.

Genesis 20:11 (NKJV) — 11 And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife.

Galatians 2:12–13 (NKJV) — 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

Lack of faith

Ge 16:1–2

Genesis 16:1–2 (NKJV) — 1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. 2 So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai.

See also Ge 15:2–3; 1 Ki 12:26–33

Genesis 15:2–3 (NKJV) — 2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!”

1 Kings 12:26–33 (NKJV) — 26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now the kingdom may return to the house of David: 27 If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah.” 28 Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!” 29 And he set up one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. 30 Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. 31 He made shrines on the high places, and made priests from every class of people, who were not of the sons of Levi. 32 Jeroboam ordained a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, like the feast that was in Judah, and offered sacrifices on the altar. So he did at Bethel, sacrificing to the calves that he had made. And at Bethel he installed the priests of the high places which he had made. 33 So he made offerings on the altar which he had made at Bethel on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in the month which he had devised in his own heart. And he ordained a feast for the children of Israel, and offered sacrifices on the altar and burned incense.

Desire for material things

Jos 7:21

Joshua 7:21 (NKJV) — 21 When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the silver under it.”

See also Hag 1:2–4; Mt 13:22; Ac 5:1–4; 2 Ti 4:10

Haggai 1:2–4 (NKJV) — 2 “Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.” ’ ” 3 Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4 “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?”

Matthew 13:22 (NKJV) — 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

Acts 5:1–4 (NKJV) — 1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

2 Timothy 4:10 (NKJV) — 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.

Examples of those who refused to compromise

Es 3:4

Esther 3:4 (NKJV) — 4 Now it happened, when they spoke to him daily and he would not listen to them, that they told it to Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s words would stand; for Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew.

See also Ge 39:7–12; 1 Ki 22:13–14; Da 3:18; Da 6:7–10; 2 Co 4:2

Genesis 39:7–12 (NKJV) — 7 And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9 There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” 10 So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her. 11 But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, 12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.

1 Kings 22:13–14 (NKJV) — 13 Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement.” 14 And Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that I will speak.”

Daniel 3:18 (NKJV) — 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”

Daniel 6:7–10 (NKJV) — 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree. 10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

2 Corinthians 4:2 (NKJV) — 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

Compromise as a mutually acceptable solution

For the sake of the gospel

1 Co 9:19–23

1 Corinthians 9:19–23 (NKJV) — 19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

See also Ac 15:19–20; Ac 15:28–29; Ac 21:20–26; Ro 14:19–22; Ro 15:1–2

Acts 15:19–20 (NKJV) — 19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.

Acts 15:28–29 (NKJV) — 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.

Acts 21:20–26 (NKJV) — 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; 21 but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. 22 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. 24 Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. 25 But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.” 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.

Romans 14:19–22 (NKJV) — 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.

Romans 15:1–2 (NKJV) — 1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

As an act of wisdom

1 Ki 3:24–25; 1 Ki 12:6–7; Je 40:9–10

1 Kings 3:24–25 (NKJV) — 24 Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king. 25 And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other.”

1 Kings 12:6–7 (NKJV) — 6 Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, and he said, “How do you advise me to answer these people?” 7 And they spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to these people today, and serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.”

Jeremiah 40:9–10 (NKJV) — 9 And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, took an oath before them and their men, saying, “Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you. 10 As for me, I will indeed dwell at Mizpah and serve the Chaldeans who come to us. But you, gather wine and summer fruit and oil, put them in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that you have taken.”

As a means to peace

Ge 13:8–9; Ge 26:19–22; Ge 37:26–27; Pr 25:8; Mt 5:25

Genesis 13:8–9 (NKJV) — 8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”

Genesis 26:19–22 (NKJV) — 19 Also Isaac’s servants dug in the valley, and found a well of running water there. 20 But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they quarreled with him. 21 Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that one also. So he called its name Sitnah. 22 And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, because he said, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”

Genesis 37:26–27 (NKJV) — 26 So Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh.” And his brothers listened.

Proverbs 25:8 (NKJV) — 8 Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame?

Matthew 5:25 (NKJV) — 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.

Confrontation in battle

Between armies

Jdg 20:20; 2 Ch 14:11

Judges 20:20 (NKJV) — 20 And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin, and the men of Israel put themselves in battle array to fight against them at Gibeah.

2 Chronicles 14:11 (NKJV) — 11 And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!”

See also Jdg 20:25; 1 Sa 4:1; 1 Sa 17:2; 1 Sa 31:1; 2 Sa 10:17; 2 Ch 13:3

Judges 20:25 (NKJV) — 25 And Benjamin went out against them from Gibeah on the second day, and cut down to the ground eighteen thousand more of the children of Israel; all these drew the sword.

1 Samuel 4:1 (NKJV) — 1 And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines, and encamped beside Ebenezer; and the Philistines encamped in Aphek.

1 Samuel 17:2 (NKJV) — 2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array against the Philistines.

1 Samuel 31:1 (NKJV) — 1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.

2 Samuel 10:17 (NKJV) — 17 When it was told David, he gathered all Israel, crossed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in battle array against David and fought with him.

2 Chronicles 13:3 (NKJV) — 3 Abijah set the battle in order with an army of valiant warriors, four hundred thousand choice men. Jeroboam also drew up in battle formation against him with eight hundred thousand choice men, mighty men of valor.

Between individuals

1 Sa 17:45

1 Samuel 17:45 (NKJV) — 45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

See also 2 Sa 23:21; 1 Ki 11:14; 2 Ki 14:11

2 Samuel 23:21 (NKJV) — 21 And he killed an Egyptian, a spectacular man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand; so he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.

1 Kings 11:14 (NKJV) — 14 Now the Lord raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite; he was a descendant of the king in Edom.

2 Kings 14:11 (NKJV) — 11 But Amaziah would not heed. Therefore Jehoash king of Israel went out; so he and Amaziah king of Judah faced one another at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah.

Personal confrontation

Between individuals

Ga 2:11

Galatians 2:11 (NKJV) — 11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed;

See also Ex 8:20; 2 Sa 22:19; 1 Ki 22:24; 2 Ch 26:18; Je 28:10; Jn 18:26; Ac 13:8; Ac 23:2

Exodus 8:20 (NKJV) — 20 And the Lord said to Moses, “Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.

2 Samuel 22:19 (NKJV) — 19 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the Lord was my support.

1 Kings 22:24 (NKJV) — 24 Now Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, “Which way did the spirit from the Lord go from me to speak to you?”

2 Chronicles 26:18 (NKJV) — 18 And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the Lord God.”

Jeremiah 28:10 (NKJV) — 10 Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke off the prophet Jeremiah’s neck and broke it.

John 18:26 (NKJV) — 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?”

Acts 13:8 (NKJV) — 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

Acts 23:2 (NKJV) — 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

Between individuals and groups

Nu 16:3; Ac 18:6

Numbers 16:3 (NKJV) — 3 They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”

Acts 18:6 (NKJV) — 6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

See also 1 Sa 12:7; Eze 16:2; Ac 5:28–29; Ac 6:9

1 Samuel 12:7 (NKJV) — 7 Now therefore, stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord concerning all the righteous acts of the Lord which He did to you and your fathers:

Ezekiel 16:2 (NKJV) — 2 “Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,

Acts 5:28–29 (NKJV) — 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” 29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

Acts 6:9 (NKJV) — 9 Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.

Between believers and a sinner

Lk 17:3

Luke 17:3 (NKJV) — 3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

See also Le 19:17; Mt 18:15; Ga 6:1; Jas 5:19–20

Leviticus 19:17 (NKJV) — 17 ‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.

Matthew 18:15 (NKJV) — 15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.

Galatians 6:1 (NKJV) — 1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

James 5:19–20 (NKJV) — 19 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

Confrontation between Jesus Christ and the Pharisees

Lk 11:53–54

Luke 11:53–54 (NKJV) — 53 And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, 54 lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him.

See also Mt 16:1; Mt 22:15; Mk 2:16; Mk 7:5; Lk 6:2; Lk 19:39; Jn 8:13

Matthew 16:1 (NKJV) — 1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven.

Matthew 22:15 (NKJV) — 15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk.

Mark 2:16 (NKJV) — 16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”

Mark 7:5 (NKJV) — 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”

Luke 6:2 (NKJV) — 2 And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”

Luke 19:39 (NKJV) — 39 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”

John 8:13 (NKJV) — 13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, “You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true.”

Confrontation with God

Job 9:32; Ac 9:4–5

Job 9:32 (NKJV) — 32 “For He is not a man, as I am, That I may answer Him, And that we should go to court together.

Acts 9:4–5 (NKJV) — 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

See also Ge 32:24; Ex 15:7; Nu 22:22; 2 Ch 35:21; Job 23:13; Job 31:14; Job 33:5; Ps 17:13; Is 30:11; Je 50:24; Ac 11:17

Genesis 32:24 (NKJV) — 24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.

Exodus 15:7 (NKJV) — 7 And in the greatness of Your excellence You have overthrown those who rose against You; You sent forth Your wrath; It consumed them like stubble.

Numbers 22:22 (NKJV) — 22 Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

2 Chronicles 35:21 (NKJV) — 21 But he sent messengers to him, saying, “What have I to do with you, king of Judah? I have not come against you this day, but against the house with which I have war; for God commanded me to make haste. Refrain from meddling with God, who is with me, lest He destroy you.”

Job 23:13 (NKJV) — 13 “But He is unique, and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul desires, that He does.

Job 31:14 (NKJV) — 14 What then shall I do when God rises up? When He punishes, how shall I answer Him?

Job 33:5 (NKJV) — 5 If you can answer me, Set your words in order before me; Take your stand.

Psalm 17:13 (NKJV) — 13 Arise, O Lord, Confront him, cast him down; Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,

Isaiah 30:11 (NKJV) — 11 Get out of the way, Turn aside from the path, Cause the Holy One of Israel To cease from before us.”

Jeremiah 50:24 (NKJV) — 24 You have indeed been trapped, O Babylon, And you were not aware; You have been found and also caught, Because you have contended against the Lord.

Acts 11:17 (NKJV) — 17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”

Cowardice

Synopsis

An unwillingness to act in a situation of danger or opposition, because of fear. Avoiding the source of one’s anxiety or fear, rather than dealing with it directly.

Cowardice prevents people from acknowledging Jesus Christ publicly

Jn 12:42–43

John 12:42–43 (NKJV) — 42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

See also Jn 7:13; Jn 9:22–23 parents of the man born blind; Jn 19:38; Jn 20:19

John 7:13 (NKJV) — 13 However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

John 9:22–23 (NKJV) — 22 His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

John 19:38 (NKJV) — 38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus.

John 20:19 (NKJV) — 19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

Cowardice inhibits bad as well as good behaviour

Mt 14:5; Mt 21:26; Mt 21:46

Matthew 14:5 (NKJV) — 5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

Matthew 21:26 (NKJV) — 26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.”

Matthew 21:46 (NKJV) — 46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.

Cowardice leads to avoidance of the difficulty

Mt 26:56

Matthew 26:56 (NKJV) — 56 But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

See also 1 Sa 13:6–7 the Philistine threat; 1 Sa 17:24 Goliath; 1 Ki 19:2–3; Jon 1:10; Mt 26:69–74; Lk 8:37 after the destruction of the pigs; Ga 2:12 Peter

1 Samuel 13:6–7 (NKJV) — 6 When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits. 7 And some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.

1 Samuel 17:24 (NKJV) — 24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid.

1 Kings 19:2–3 (NKJV) — 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.

Jonah 1:10 (NKJV) — 10 Then the men were exceedingly afraid, and said to him, “Why have you done this?” For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the Lord, because he had told them.

Matthew 26:69–74 (NKJV) — 69 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” 71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” 73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” 74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.

Luke 8:37 (NKJV) — 37 Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.

Galatians 2:12 (NKJV) — 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

Cowardice can spread within a group

Dt 20:8

Deuteronomy 20:8 (NKJV) — 8 “The officers shall speak further to the people, and say, ‘What man is there who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest the heart of his brethren faint like his heart.’

Caleb and the other spies:

Nu 13:30–33; Jos 14:8

Numbers 13:30–33 (NKJV) — 30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” 32 And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

Joshua 14:8 (NKJV) — 8 Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the Lord my God.

Jdg 7:2–3; Je 38:4

Judges 7:2–3 (NKJV) — 2 And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ 3 Now therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from Mount Gilead.’ ” And twenty-two thousand of the people returned, and ten thousand remained.

Jeremiah 38:4 (NKJV) — 4 Therefore the princes said to the king, “Please, let this man be put to death, for thus he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man does not seek the welfare of this people, but their harm.”

God can work through cowardice

In humbling disobedient people

Le 26:36–39; Is 30:15–17

Leviticus 26:36–39 (NKJV) — 36 ‘And as for those of you who are left, I will send faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; the sound of a shaken leaf shall cause them to flee; they shall flee as though fleeing from a sword, and they shall fall when no one pursues. 37 They shall stumble over one another, as it were before a sword, when no one pursues; and you shall have no power to stand before your enemies. 38 You shall perish among the nations, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up. 39 And those of you who are left shall waste away in their iniquity in your enemies’ lands; also in their fathers’ iniquities, which are with them, they shall waste away.

Isaiah 30:15–17 (NKJV) — 15 For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not, 16 And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses”— Therefore you shall flee! And, “We will ride on swift horses”— Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift! 17 One thousand shall flee at the threat of one, At the threat of five you shall flee, Till you are left as a pole on top of a mountain And as a banner on a hill.

In routing the enemy

Rahab and the Israelite spies:

Jos 2:8–11; Jos 2:24

Joshua 2:8–11 (NKJV) — 8 Now before they lay down, she came up to them on the roof, 9 and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. 10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were on the other side of the Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

Joshua 2:24 (NKJV) — 24 And they said to Joshua, “Truly the Lord has delivered all the land into our hands, for indeed all the inhabitants of the country are fainthearted because of us.”

1 Sa 14:15–16 the Philistines

1 Samuel 14:15–16 (NKJV) — 15 And there was trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. The garrison and the raiders also trembled; and the earth quaked, so that it was a very great trembling. 16 Now the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and there was the multitude, melting away; and they went here and there.

God gives hope to the cowardly or fearful

Pr 29:25

Proverbs 29:25 (NKJV) — 25 The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.

See also Dt 1:27–31; Jdg 7:10–11; Ps 56:3–4; Is 51:12–15; Lk 21:12–19

Deuteronomy 1:27–31 (NKJV) — 27 and you complained in your tents, and said, ‘Because the Lord hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us. 28 Where can we go up? Our brethren have discouraged our hearts, saying, “The people are greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up to heaven; moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.” ’ 29 “Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. 30 The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 31 and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.’

Judges 7:10–11 (NKJV) — 10 But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant, 11 and you shall hear what they say; and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.” Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outpost of the armed men who were in the camp.

Psalm 56:3–4 (NKJV) — 3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. 4 In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

Isaiah 51:12–15 (NKJV) — 12 “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid Of a man who will die, And of the son of a man who will be made like grass? 13 And you forget the Lord your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens And laid the foundations of the earth; You have feared continually every day Because of the fury of the oppressor, When he has prepared to destroy. And where is the fury of the oppressor? 14 The captive exile hastens, that he may be loosed, That he should not die in the pit, And that his bread should not fail. 15 But I am the Lord your God, Who divided the sea whose waves roared— The Lord of hosts is His name.

Luke 21:12–19 (NKJV) — 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess your souls.

The Holy Spirit gave the disciples a supernatural boldness:

Ac 4:5–10; Ac 4:13; Ac 4:29–31

Acts 4:5–10 (NKJV) — 5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

Acts 4:13 (NKJV) — 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:29–31 (NKJV) — 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Judgment on cowards

Re 21:8 Where cowardice meant rejecting the gospel and denying Jesus Christ.

Revelation 21:8 (NKJV) — 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Hypocrisy

Synopsis

An outward pretence masking an inner reality. Scripture condemns hypocrisy, especially in matters of faith. Believers should express their commitment to God in their words and their deeds, as well as in their inner motivation.

The origin of hypocrisy

Je 17:9

Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV) — 9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

See also Ho 10:2 Israel; Mk 7:21–22

Hosea 10:2 (NKJV) — 2 Their heart is divided; Now they are held guilty. He will break down their altars; He will ruin their sacred pillars.

Mark 7:21–22 (NKJV) — 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.

The expression of hypocrisy

Insincere motives

Mt 6:2

Matthew 6:2 (NKJV) — 2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

See also Mt 6:5; Mt 6:16; Mt 15:7–9; Mt 22:18; Mt 23:5–7

Matthew 6:5 (NKJV) — 5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Matthew 6:16 (NKJV) — 16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Matthew 15:7–9 (NKJV) — 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”

Matthew 22:18 (NKJV) — 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?

Matthew 23:5–7 (NKJV) — 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’

When deeds do not match words

Is 29:13

Isaiah 29:13 (NKJV) — 13 Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men,

See also Mt 15:7–8; Pr 26:24–26; Je 9:8; Je 12:2; Eze 33:31; Mt 23:28; Ro 2:17–24; Jas 2:14–26

Matthew 15:7–8 (NKJV) — 7 Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 8 ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.

Proverbs 26:24–26 (NKJV) — 24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself; 25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart; 26 Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.

Jeremiah 9:8 (NKJV) — 8 Their tongue is an arrow shot out; It speaks deceit; One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, But in his heart he lies in wait.

Jeremiah 12:2 (NKJV) — 2 You have planted them, yes, they have taken root; They grow, yes, they bear fruit. You are near in their mouth But far from their mind.

Ezekiel 33:31 (NKJV) — 31 So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain.

Matthew 23:28 (NKJV) — 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Romans 2:17–24 (NKJV) — 17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.

James 2:14–26 (NKJV) — 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

A tendency to judge others

Mt 7:5

Matthew 7:5 (NKJV) — 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

See also Ro 2:1

Romans 2:1 (NKJV) — 1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

The alternative to hypocrisy

Heb 10:22

Hebrews 10:22 (NKJV) — 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

See also Ps 24:3–4; Ps 26:4; Ps 32:2; Jas 3:17; Jas 4:8; 1 Pe 2:1–3

Psalm 24:3–4 (NKJV) — 3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.

Psalm 26:4 (NKJV) — 4 I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites.

Psalm 32:2 (NKJV) — 2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.

James 3:17 (NKJV) — 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

James 4:8 (NKJV) — 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

1 Peter 2:1–3 (NKJV) — 1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Hypocrisy is not to be found in leaders

1 Ch 28:8–9

1 Chronicles 28:8–9 (NKJV) — 8 Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the Lord, and in the hearing of our God, be careful to seek out all the commandments of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good land, and leave it as an inheritance for your children after you forever. 9 “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.

See also Mal 2:6 the true priest; 1 Co 4:1–5; 1 Ti 3:8; Tt 1:8; Jas 3:1

Malachi 2:6 (NKJV) — 6 The law of truth was in his mouth, And injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and equity, And turned many away from iniquity.

1 Corinthians 4:1–5 (NKJV) — 1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

1 Timothy 3:8 (NKJV) — 8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,

Titus 1:8 (NKJV) — 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,

James 3:1 (NKJV) — 1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

Examples of hypocrites

Israel’s leaders

Je 6:13

Jeremiah 6:13 (NKJV) — 13 “Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, Everyone is given to covetousness; And from the prophet even to the priest, Everyone deals falsely.

See also Je 8:8

Jeremiah 8:8 (NKJV) — 8 “How can you say, ‘We are wise, And the law of the Lord is with us’? Look, the false pen of the scribe certainly works falsehood.

The Pharisees

Mk 12:38–40

Mark 12:38–40 (NKJV) — 38 Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, 39 the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 40 who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

See also Mt 23:1–32; Lk 12:1–2; Lk 12:56

Matthew 23:1–32 (NKJV) — 1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8 But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. 13 “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. 14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation. 15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves. 16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ 17 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? 18 And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ 19 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20 Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. 21 He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it. 23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24 Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. 29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ 31 “Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt.

Luke 12:1–2 (NKJV) — 1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.

Luke 12:56 (NKJV) — 56 Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

Peter and Barnabas

Ga 2:12–13 By acting in this way, Peter was denying his own conviction that Gentiles could be saved by faith without having to submit to the law.

Galatians 2:12–13 (NKJV) — 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

Many false teachers

Ro 16:17–18

Romans 16:17–18 (NKJV) — 17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

See also Php 1:17; 1 Ti 4:2; 2 Ti 3:5; Jud 16

Philippians 1:17 (NKJV) — 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

1 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV) — 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

2 Timothy 3:5 (NKJV) — 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Jude 16 (NKJV) — 16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.

Examples of those who did not practise hypocrisy

Jesus Christ

1 Pe 2:21–22

1 Peter 2:21–22 (NKJV) — 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

See also Is 53:9; Jn 8:44–46

Isaiah 53:9 (NKJV) — 9 And they made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.

John 8:44–46 (NKJV) — 44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?

Paul and his companions

2 Co 1:12

2 Corinthians 1:12 (NKJV) — 12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.

See also 2 Co 2:17; 1 Th 2:3–10

2 Corinthians 2:17 (NKJV) — 17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:3–10 (NKJV) — 3 For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts. 5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;