But because they have no roots, they last only a short time. When trouble or suffering comes because of the message, they quickly fall away from the faith.
Don’t be afraid of what you’re going to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you’ll be mistreated for ten days. Be faithful, even if you have to die, and I’ll give you life as your victory crown.
‘I know that even though you live where Satan has his throne, you’re still faithful to me. You didn’t give up your faith even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city, where Satan lives.
These enemies left our community of believers, but they didn’t really belong to us. If they had belonged to us, they would have stayed with us. By leaving, they showed that none of them really belonged to us.
But wouldn’t people deserve even more punishment if they’ve trampled the Son of God under their feet, treated the blood of the covenant as unholy, and insulted the Spirit of grace?
But because they have no roots, they last only a short time. When trouble or suffering comes because of the message, they quickly fall away from the faith.
The people who are trying to get you to be circumcised want others to be impressed with them. They don’t want to suffer for saying that we have to depend entirely on the cross of Christ.