Provoke and Consider
Two thoughts from Hebrews 10:24, a recent reading: "spur, encourage, stir, motivate" one another to good deeds. The word paroxusmos is translated in KJV and other versions as provoke . Of course we don't appreciate being provoked, but the writer is saying that the goal of this kind of provocation is to move us towards love and good deeds. So wisdom is needed when we decide to be the provokers. Later in the same chapter, the author reminds readers of the suffering they've endured and warns them not to throw away their confidence. Confidence in this setting means freedom or boldness in public speech. Events from the past summer have provoked many of us to rescue our confidence from the dumpster and speak, sticking up for those who through illness or abuse can't raise their heads high enough above the milieu to breathe. And we all know that provoking one another to look at social structures too often results in stubborn or angry or even violent responses--typical
