MARTYREO (Testify)

What is the Word?

“Faith comes by hearing” claims the apostle Paul (Rm 10:17). But how can one hear unless there is something to proclaim? Jesus commissions us to take the Gospel message to the ends of the Earth, making disciples of all nations. In order to do that, we have to proclaim the message to others. Martyreo is the act of testifying or bearing witness about Jesus to a world who does not know him and is often hostile to our message. 

How does the Bible use this word?

You may have noticed that this word sounds vaguely familiar. That is because we get the English word martyr from this original Greek word. When we think of a martyr, we think of someone who has suffered for bearing witness to something they believe in. Stephen, for example, was martyred for testifying to his faith in Jesus Christ, even when it put his life in danger (Acts 7:54 -8:2). This is the sort of way it is used in the New Testament. It is to testify of something of grave importance, even in direct opposition. 

Where in the Bible?

To say that the prologue of John’s gospel is filled with Martyreo language would be an understatement. The word is used in different forms five times in chapter one alone, and each time it is used to describe the purpose and work of John the Baptist. Consider the following passage:

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness (μαρτυρίαν), to bear witness (μαρτυρήσῃ) about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness (μαρτυρήσῃ) about the light.

John 1:7-8

John the Baptist was sent by God to prepare the way of the Lord (Mal 4:5). In the mode of Elijah, his sole mission is to “bear witness,” to testify that this man Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (Jn 1:29). Not surprisingly, this testimony and bearing witness to the word of God ultimately will contribute to John losing his life for the sake of the Gospel (Lk 9:9).

Bearing Witness in our Lives

Jesus tells us that to love even our own lives more than him will make us unworthy to be his disciple (Lk 14:26). Therefore, our lives should be a walking, talking testimony of Jesus Christ. When we are walking in the light of the Spirit, Martyreo becomes less about something we do, but rather becomes a way of being. We exist to testify of Christ in our vocations. That means that our work, our relationships, and all our doings should be consecrated to God, handed over to him that our light may shine before men, and give glory to our Father in heaven (Mt 5:16).