Suffering Well: The Legacy of The Apologists

In 1 Peter 3:13-22, Peter exhorts believers to endure suffering for doing what is right, assuring them that God blesses those who remain faithful under persecution. He encourages Christians to respond well to mistreatment, using it as an opportunity to share their faith. This passage not only instructs us in personal holiness as imitators of Christ and was the basis of the early church’s defense of Christianity in a hostile world.

During the first few centuries after Christ, Christians faced intense persecution from the Roman Empire. They were falsely accused of crimes, misunderstood by the broader society, and often punished for their refusal to worship the emperor or participate in pagan rituals. However, rather than retaliate with violence or despair, many Christian leaders (known as the early apologists) responded with reasoned arguments and exemplary moral conduct. They sought to demonstrate that Christianity was not a threat to the empire but rather a force for good in society.

Peter’s command to suffer well is not simply about enduring hardship; it is about how we endure it. He writes in 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

The word “defense” (Greek: apologia) refers to a legal or logical argument given in response to an accusation. This same term became the foundation for Christian apologetics, the discipline of defending the faith through reasoned explanation. The early apologists of the church embodied this principle, not only through intellectual argument but also through the moral integrity of their lives.

Between 100-300 AD, Christians faced severe hostility from the Roman government and society. Romans often accused Christians of atheism (for rejecting the pagan gods), cannibalism (a misunderstanding of the Lord’s Supper), incest (a misunderstanding of Christians referring to each other as “brother” and “sister”), and treason (for refusing emperor worship). In response, the early church apologists sought to correct these misconceptions and highlight the benefits of Christian morality for society.

One of the most well-known apologists was Justin Martyr. A philosopher who converted to Christianity, Justin wrote extensively to explain that Christianity was not an enemy of the state but rather the true fulfillment of philosophy and reason. In his First Apology, addressed to Emperor Antoninus Pius, Justin argued that Christians were not lawbreakers but actually the best citizens of the empire.

He highlighted Christian ethics - honesty, chastity, self-control, and love for one’s enemies - as evidence that Christianity led to moral and social improvement. He urged the emperor to recognize that Christians were not revolutionaries seeking to overthrow Rome but were instead a community dedicated to righteousness. Justin’s willingness to defend the faith ultimately led to his martyrdom, yet his arguments laid a foundation for later apologists to continue engaging with Roman authorities.

Athenagoras, a lesser-known but brilliant apologist, wrote A Plea for the Christians to Emperor Marcus Aurelius. He refuted the false accusations of cannibalism and immorality by pointing to Christian teachings on the sanctity of life and marriage.

He emphasized that Christians refrained from murder, adultery, and dishonesty - not out of fear of human punishment, but because of their reverence for God. He wrote, “We have learned, not only not to return blow for blow, nor to go to law with those who rob us, but even to those who strike us on one side of the face to offer the other also.” This echoed Peter’s teaching on responding to mistreatment with Christlike patience and virtue.

Tertullian, an early church father from Carthage, wrote Apology, in which he famously declared, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” He directly addressed Roman governors, arguing that Christians were not criminals but rather the most law-abiding citizens.

He noted that Christian ethics made society stronger - Christians refused to participate in corruption, treated slaves with dignity, cared for the poor, and lived in harmony with their neighbors. Tertullian challenged the authorities by asking, “If we are so wicked, why do we live more virtuously than those who worship your gods?”

The witness of these apologists mirrors Peter’s instruction to the early church. They suffered unjustly but did not respond with hatred or rebellion. Instead, they defended the faith with gentleness and respect, using their suffering as an opportunity to point people to Christ.

Their efforts were not in vain. By the early fourth century, Christianity had gained such widespread credibility that Emperor Constantine eventually legalized it. The integrity and arguments of the early Christians had reshaped public perception.

The call to suffer well for righteousness is as relevant today as it was in the early church. While most Christians in the Western world do not face physical persecution, they do encounter opposition for standing firm in biblical truth. When Christians respond with Christlike character - by loving their enemies, demonstrating integrity, and explaining their faith with wisdom - they follow in the footsteps of Peter, the early apologists, and Jesus Himself.

• Live a blameless life - Like the early apologists, our strongest defense is our moral character. When we live according to God’s commands, our opponents will have no legitimate accusation against us (1 Peter 2:12).
• Be ready to defend the faith - We should be prepared to explain our beliefs in a way that is logical, gracious, and compelling (1 Peter 3:15).
• Endure suffering with hope - Just as Justin Martyr, Athenagoras, and Tertullian found strength in Christ despite persecution, we must trust that God will use our faithfulness for His glory.
• Point others to Jesus - Suffering for righteousness is an opportunity to display the transforming power of Christ, just as the early church did.

Peter’s words remind us that when we suffer for doing good, we are blessed. The legacy of the early apologists confirms this truth. Their unwavering faith and wise defense of Christianity played a crucial role in shaping the history of the church. As we navigate challenges today, may we follow their example of responding to mistreatment not with anger, but with grace, truth, and unwavering faith in Christ.