Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8700 Threats to the life of faith » 8794 persecution » 8796 persecution, forms of
Scripture identifies a number of reasons why individuals and governmments may attempt to persecute believers and also the methods by which they may carry this out.
The motives for persecution
Envy
Acts 5:17-18 See also Genesis 26:14-15; Genesis 37:4,8; 1 Samuel 18:8-9; Psalm 106:16; Daniel 6:1-5; Matthew 27:18; Acts 13:45; James 3:16
Fear
Luke 22:2 See also Exodus 1:10; 1 Samuel 18:15,29; Matthew 2:3; Acts 19:23-27
Hatred
1 John 3:12 See also Genesis 4:3-8; 1 Kings 22:8 pp 2 Chronicles 18:7; John 7:7
The means of persecution
Deception
Psalm 38:12 See also 1 Kings 21:10; Ezra 4:12-13; Psalm 35:11; Jeremiah 20:10; Amos 7:10; Matthew 5:11; John 7:12; Acts 6:11; Acts 21:21,28; Acts 24:5
Threats
Psalm 10:7 See also Ezra 4:4; Daniel 3:15; John 9:22; Acts 4:17
Ridicule
Nehemiah 4:1-3 See also Hosea 9:7; 1 Corinthians 4:13; Hebrews 13:13; Revelation 2:9
Ostracism
Matthew 10:22 See also John 9:29,34; John 12:42; John 16:2
Violence
Romans 8:35 See also Jeremiah 38:6; Matthew 10:17 pp Mark 13:9; John 21:18-19; Acts 5:40; Acts 16:37; 2 Corinthians 11:25; Galatians 6:17; Hebrews 11:36-39
How God deals with persecutors
1 Timothy 1:13 See also Daniel 4:34-35; Acts 12:1,21-23; Galatians 1:23
See also
2426 gospel, responses 2545 Christ, opposition to 5040 murder 5560 suffering 5875 hatred 6145 deceit 8498 witnessing & Holy Spirit 8733 envy 8754 fear 8815 ridicule 8819 scoffing 8833 threats
