Ask Ligonier Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: What Does It Mean to Be Persecuted for Righteousness’ Sake?
Air Date: October 2, 2025
Host: Nathan W. Bingham
Guest: Dr. Derek Thomas, Ligonier Ministries Teaching Fellow

Episode Theme

This episode centers on unpacking the biblical meaning of being "persecuted for righteousness’ sake," as highlighted in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5). Dr. Derek Thomas joins Nathan W. Bingham to discuss what true Christian persecution is, how it differs from other types of adversity, and why embracing this form of suffering is a hallmark of faithful Christian living.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Biblical Background and Definition

• Reference to Matthew 5: Dr. Thomas links the topic directly to Jesus’ Beatitudes—"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (00:24)
• Meaning of Righteousness:
  • Dr. Thomas clarifies that being persecuted "for righteousness’ sake" is not the same as being disliked for being unpleasant or difficult.
  • "You can be persecuted because you’re an awful person... but this is persecuted for righteousness sake. And how do you define righteousness? Well, biblically, the righteousness of God—being persecuted because you are not going to compromise what God has asked of you." (01:42)

2. Examples from Church History

• Apostolic Martyrdom:
  • Dr. Thomas recounts how almost all of the apostles, except John, were martyred for their faith.
  • Special mention of Peter’s martyrdom in Rome under Emperor Nero and the environment of hostility faced by early Christians.
  • "Thinking of Peter’s martyrdom... knowing full well that Nero had no time for Christianity, arresting both Peter and Paul... thinking of the twelve apostles, that eleven of them were martyred." (00:37–01:17)

3. Righteous Persecution vs. Cultural Offense

• Societal Misuse of 'Persecution':
  • Observes that in modern society, people can feel ‘persecuted’ for many reasons, not all of which are righteous or just.
  • "We live in a society where everybody feels persecuted. You know that when you tell the truth and they don’t like the truth, they’re offended and they feel that you’re persecuting them." (01:31)
• Stand for Truth Requires Winsomeness:
  • Christians are called to stand for truth with a Christlike, winsome attitude, even if it brings conflict with societal, parental, or even church norms.
  • "Christians have to stand up for the truth and to do it winsomely, to do it in a Jesus-like fashion." (02:07)

4. Cost and Contemporary Reality of Persecution

• Modern-Day Martyrdom:
  • Reflects on the real danger faced by Christians around the world today—imprisonment, torture, and even death.
  • Points listeners to organizations like Voice of the Martyrs that document ongoing persecution.
• Personal Reflection on Cost:
  • Dr. Thomas invites listeners to consider their own willingness to suffer for the sake of righteousness.
  • "I thought about, you know, how willing would I be to be imprisoned? I mean, there are tens of thousands of Christians, even as we speak in parts of the world who are tortured and are imprisoned and are dead, taken in the middle of the night..." (03:01)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On True Righteousness:
  • "Being persecuted because you are not going to compromise what God has asked of you." – Dr. Derek Thomas (01:44)
• On Standing Up for Truth:
  • "To be willing to do so in a winsome way, and that’s hard because if you stand up for the truth, there are always those who will interpret that negatively and will call you a bully and so on." – Dr. Derek Thomas (02:18)
• On the Ongoing Reality of Persecution:
  • "There are tens of thousands of Christians right now who are being persecuted for righteousness sake, and it may cost them their lives." – Dr. Derek Thomas (03:43)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:04 – Introduction of the question: What does it mean to be persecuted for righteousness' sake?
• 00:24–01:24 – Biblical context and historical examples of persecution.
• 01:25–02:18 – Distinction between true and false persecution; living righteously.
• 02:19–03:43 – The necessity and difficulty of standing for truth; present-day persecution and personal reflection.

Tone & Takeaway

Dr. Thomas speaks with gravity and pastoral warmth, urging listeners to understand persecution in its biblical sense—as a result of faithful, uncompromising allegiance to God’s truth, conducted in the spirit of Christ, even when it comes at a great personal cost. He challenges listeners to consider their own readiness to stand for righteous living, while also calling for solidarity with persecuted believers worldwide.