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, Isaiah 58:9–10

Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

Examples of those who defended the needy

Psalm 72:4 Exodus 2:17; Acts 7:24; Ruth 2:15–16 Boaz

May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.

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

“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.

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

Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them. Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

Christians are urged to defend the faith

It is the responsibility of all believers

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

Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints.

It is the responsibility of Christian leaders in particular

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

Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

Examples of leaders who defended the faith

Philippians 1:16 See also Acts 6:8–10 Stephen; Acts 18:27–28 ApollosGalatians 1:6–9, Galatians 2:11–14; Philippians 1:7

The latter do so in love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.