Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5291 defence  »  5293 defence, human

God's people are to defend the needy and those in their care. They are also to defend the truth entrusted to them.

Defence of the needy

God commands his people to defend the needy

Proverbs 31:8-9 See also Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 10:1-2; Isaiah 58:6-7,9-10

Examples of those who defended the needy

Psalm 72:4

Moses:

Exodus 2:17; Acts 7:24 Ruth 2:15-16 Boaz

Neglect of the cause of the needy is condemned

Psalm 82:2-4 See also Job 5:4; Isaiah 1:23-24; Isaiah 29:20-21; Jeremiah 5:26-29; Jeremiah 22:15-17

Church leaders are to defend the flock of God

Acts 20:28-31 See also John 21:15-17; 1 Timothy 4:6; Titus 1:10-11; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:2

Christians are urged to defend the faith

It is the responsibility of all believers

Jude 3 See also Philippians 1:27-28; 2 Thessalonians 2:15

It is the responsibility of Christian leaders in particular

2 Timothy 1:13-14 See also 1 Timothy 1:3-10; Timothy 6:20-21; Titus 1:12-14

Examples of leaders who defended the faith

Philippians 1:16 See also Acts 6:8-10 Stephen; Acts 18:27-28 Apollos

Paul:

Galatians 1:6-9; Galatians 2:11-14; Philippians 1:7

See also

1460  truth
5051  responsibility
5208  armies
5448  poverty, attitudes to
5607  warfare, examples
5944  self-defence
7703  apologetics
7733  leaders
8292  love
8313  nurture
8822  self-justification