Topical Bible: Persecution: False Teachers Shrink From

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In the New Testament, persecution is often depicted as a hallmark of genuine Christian faith and discipleship. Jesus Himself warned His followers that they would face persecution for His name's sake (Matthew 5:10-12, John 15:20). The apostles echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that suffering for Christ is an integral part of the Christian experience (2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Peter 4:12-16).

In contrast, false teachers are portrayed as those who shrink from persecution, seeking instead to avoid suffering by compromising the truth of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently warns against such individuals who prioritize their own comfort and safety over the integrity of the faith. In Galatians 6:12, Paul writes, "Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised, just as they do not want to be persecuted for the cross of Christ." Here, Paul highlights the tendency of false teachers to avoid persecution by conforming to societal or religious norms that dilute the message of the cross.

Similarly, in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul warns Timothy, "For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." This passage underscores the inclination of false teachers to cater to popular opinion and avoid the reproach that comes with proclaiming the unadulterated truth of the Gospel.

The Apostle Peter also addresses the issue of false teachers in his second epistle. In 2 Peter 2:1-3, he warns, "But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed." Peter's words suggest that false teachers, in their desire to escape persecution, may even go so far as to deny core tenets of the faith, leading others astray and bringing disrepute to the Gospel.

The reluctance of false teachers to endure persecution is further illustrated in the parable of the sower, as recounted in the Synoptic Gospels. In Matthew 13:20-21, Jesus explains, "The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away." This parable highlights the superficiality of those who lack genuine commitment to the truth, revealing their vulnerability to falling away when faced with trials.

In summary, the New Testament consistently portrays false teachers as those who shrink from persecution, choosing instead to compromise the Gospel to maintain their own comfort and avoid suffering. This stands in stark contrast to the call of true discipleship, which embraces persecution as a testament to one's faithfulness to Christ and His teachings.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 6:12
As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Last Interview of Paul with the Elders of Ephesus.
... by a regard to personal safety to shrink from his duty ... as some have supposed, to
the persecution of Nero ... was already past, and some other false teachers, who are ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiv the last interview.htm

Letter Lxxxii. (AD 405. )
... For these false teachers had found him to be a ... endeavouring to raise odium and
persecution against him ... because everything which they say is false, but because ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxxii a d 405.htm

Heb. 4:14 Our Profession
... It often brought on a man persecution, loss of property ... an angel of light," and that
false teachers are his ... seem to get any further; they shrink from making a ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xii heb 4 14 our.htm

Acts xi. 19
... they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution," etc. ... but were content with
their teachers: so fervent ... But shall false accusations and plottings of evil ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxv acts xi 19.htm

The Impending Conflict
... world and second the testimony of religious teachers that the ... A false coloring will
be given to their words ... a course which will lead to the persecution of those ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 36 the impending conflict.htm

The Impending Conflict.
... world, and second the testimony of religious teachers, that the ... A false coloring
will be given to their words ... course which will lead to the persecution of those ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /36 the impending conflict.htm

The Necessity of Increased Faith
... There are scores of false faiths; but there is ... amid the storms, unshaken by the tempests
of persecution. ... As Sabbath-school teachers, as preachers, as visitors ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the necessity of increased faith.htm

The Ministry in Galilee --Its Aim and Method
... He would not be false to his own sense of ... prefers the concrete to the abstract, and
its teachers have ever ... could now look for little but scorn and persecution. ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/iii the ministry in galileeits.htm

Christ Bringing a Sword.
... of hope,"that all this should have emanated from such teachers! ... Shall tribulation,
or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or ... a way as not to be false to the ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xvii christ bringing a sword.htm

Letter xv. To Turribius, Bishop of Asturia , Upon the Errors of ...
... shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or ... ears, will heap to
themselves teachers after their ... the virgin: so that after a false passion and ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter xv to turribius bishop.htm