About Diógmos

diógmos is the ancient and biblical Greek term for persecution. This website is about what the Bible has to say regarding persecution.

But to understand and apply the Bible’s teaching about persecution, we should know what “persecution” is. Unfortunately, there seems to be no widely accepted definition of the term. In fact, the Bible itself never defines "persecution." Instead, it mainly discusses the causes, effects, and reactions persecution should produce in Christians and in local churches.

Milton Martin offers some perspectives on what persecution is not.

• Though it is a unique type of suffering, it is not the only suffering Christians experience (Gen. 3:16 – 19).

• It is not retribution for Christians' wrongdoing (1 Peter 4:19; 3:14; 4:16).

• Even if it involves hardship, it is not a reason for Christians' discouragement (1 Peter 1:6).

• Though it arises because of a Christian’s decision to follow Jesus, it is not a badge to wear or a burden to avoid.

But describing what persecution is not, does not define what persecution is. So here is a simple, working definition:

Persecution is hostility and harm to Christians . . . mainly because they are speaking and acting like Christians.

This website is for Christians who are wronged because they are living out Jesus’ call to follow Him. More importantly, this website is about why persecution happens and why God allows it. And how persecution should change the Christians experiencing it and the surrounding communities witnessing it.

Understanding the “how” and the “why” of persecution is important because our world is turning ever more hostile and harmful to Christians. And more importantly because – as the Bible teaches – persecution is not just hostility and harm. It is a powerful voice for the gospel. And it is God’s grace in a lost, dark, and dying world.