Topical Bible: Duty Toward The Afflicted: To Protect Them

Bible > Topical > Duty Toward The Afflicted

◄ Duty Toward The Afflicted: To Protect Them ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Bible consistently emphasizes the responsibility of believers to care for and protect those who are afflicted, marginalized, or vulnerable. This duty is rooted in the character of God, who is described as a defender of the oppressed and a refuge for those in distress.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays a strong foundation for the protection of the afflicted. In the Law, God commands His people to act justly and to care for those who are vulnerable. Deuteronomy 10:18-19 states, "He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing. So you also must love the foreigner, since you yourselves were foreigners in the land of Egypt." This passage highlights God's concern for the marginalized and instructs His people to emulate His compassion.

The Psalms frequently echo this theme, portraying God as a protector of the afflicted. Psalm 82:3-4 exhorts, "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked." Here, the psalmist calls for active intervention on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves.

Prophetic Calls to Justice

The prophets also emphasize the duty to protect the afflicted. Isaiah 1:17 urges, "Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow." The prophetic literature often critiques Israel for failing to uphold justice and protect the vulnerable, calling the nation to repentance and renewed commitment to God's standards.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus exemplifies and teaches the protection of the afflicted. His ministry is marked by compassion for the marginalized, including the poor, the sick, and the outcast. In Matthew 25:40 , Jesus teaches, "The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’" This passage underscores the identification of Christ with the afflicted and the importance of serving them as an expression of faith.

The epistles further reinforce this duty. James 1:27 declares, "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." This verse highlights the practical outworking of faith through the protection and care of those in need.

Practical Implications for Believers

Believers are called to reflect God's heart for the afflicted through tangible actions. This includes advocating for justice, providing for physical needs, and offering spiritual support. The biblical mandate to protect the afflicted is not merely a suggestion but a core aspect of living out one's faith in obedience to God's commands.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 82:3
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 22:22
Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 31:5
Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

From Sinai to Kadesh.
... (1) The Law of Duty. ... for the treatment of the poor, the aged and the afflicted;
(b) The ... He is sinful, his whole nature is out of proper attitude toward God and ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter vi from sinai to.htm

Of Civil Government.
... rulers cannot do this unless they protect the good ... be the avenger of the oppressed
and afflicted. ... who honestly and faithfully perform their duty toward us, but ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

The Women of the Apostolic Age
... truly says: "The women were naturally drawn toward a community ... them, concluded that
it was the duty of women ... feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/ii the women of the.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... due to the political situation and took up its duty of training ... you have promised,
because I observe these things toward your piety, to protect my honor ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

Various Experiences in Gospel Work
... Before she became afflicted, she weighed 190 pounds, but at ... it is undoubtedly our
privilege and duty to claim ... which began to balk and push back toward our wagon ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xiv various experiences in.htm

Knox and Queen Mary (Continued): 1563-1564
... to summon the offending priests who had done their duty. ... wrote to Argyll thus: "Your
behaviour toward your wife is ... no known cause, and she was afflicted by the ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xvi knox and queen.htm

Labors in a New Field
... and acting in an offensive insulting manner toward every one ... we began our labors,
I became afflicted with the ... lesson, God laid upon me the duty of confessing ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xi labors in a.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... and arrows and shoot from the window toward the East ... and now that Nature herself
had afflicted them with the ... Karduniash entailed on him the duty of safeguarding ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Fifth Book
... fall short in their Christian duty, but through ... the Bagaudae, [280] who, despoiled,
afflicted, and murdered ... but the necessity of tyranny toward the taxpayers ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the fifth book.htm

Byzantine Empresses Theodora ii. , Theophano, Zoe, Theodora iii.
... two years of his life, Romanus was afflicted with a ... and showed both insolence and
ingratitude toward the woman ... Forty Martyrs, when it became the duty of the ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/xiii byzantine empresses theodora ii.htm