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, Genesis 37:8; 1 Samuel 18:8–9; Psalm 106:16; Daniel 6:1–5; Matthew 27:18; Acts 13:45; James 3:16

Then the high priest and all his associates, who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. They went out and arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.

Fear

Luke 22:2 See also Exodus 1:10; 1 Samuel 18:15, 1 Samuel 18:29; Matthew 2:3; Acts 19:23–27

and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they feared the people.

Hatred

1 John 3:12 See also Genesis 4:3–8; 1 Kings 22:8 parallel 2 Chronicles 18:7; John 7:7

Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous.

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, Acts 21:28, Acts 24:5

Those who seek my life lay snares; those who wish me harm speak destruction, plotting deceit all day long.

Threats

Psalm 10:7 See also Ezra 4:4; Daniel 3:15; John 9:22; Acts 4:17

His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.

Ridicule

Nehemiah 4:1–3 See also Hosea 9:7; 1 Corinthians 4:13; Hebrews 13:13; Revelation 2:9

Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”

Ostracism

Matthew 10:22 See also John 9:29, John 9:34, John 12:42, John 16:2

You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.

Violence

Romans 8:35 See also Jeremiah 38:6; Matthew 10:17 parallel Mark 13:9; John 21:18–19; Acts 5:40, Acts 16:37; 2 Corinthians 11:25; Galatians 6:17; Hebrews 11:36–39

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

How God deals with persecutors

1 Timothy 1:13 See also Daniel 4:34–35; Acts 12:1, Acts 12:21–23; Galatians 1:23

I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man; yet because I had acted in ignorance and unbelief, I was shown mercy.