But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
When they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak—the Greek mē promerimnate (μὴ προμεριμνᾶτε) means 'do not pre-plan anxiously.' This isn't prohibiting preparation (Paul reasoned carefully—Acts 17:2) but anxiety-driven scripting. Whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost (Greek to pneuma to hagion, τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον).
This promises supernatural enablement during persecution. The Spirit gives words (Acts 4:8 Peter filled with Spirit before Sanhedrin; 7:55 Stephen saw heaven opened). This isn't excuse for lazy sermon preparation—context is persecution, not regular teaching. The promise applies when arrested for Christ, brought before hostile authorities. God demonstrates power through weak vessels—eloquence comes from Spirit, not human ability. This sustained martyrs through centuries: they testified boldly despite no formal training, confounding accusers.
Historical Context
Early Christians experienced this precisely. Acts records Spirit-empowered testimony: Peter and John confounded Sanhedrin (Acts 4:13, 'unlearned and ignorant men'); Stephen's accusers 'were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake' (Acts 6:10); Paul's defenses before Felix, Festus, Agrippa demonstrated Spirit's wisdom. Church history records martyrs' Spirit-enabled courage: Polycarp, Perpetua, Reformers—none prepared speeches yet testified powerfully. Modern persecuted believers report similar experiences: words given in moment, clarity under pressure, boldness beyond natural capacity. The promise isn't for comfortable Christians but those facing hostile examination. Context matters: regular teaching requires study (2 Timothy 2:15); crisis testimony receives supernatural aid.
Questions for Reflection
How does distinguishing regular teaching (requiring preparation) from crisis testimony (receiving Spirit's words) prevent misapplying this promise?
What does Spirit-given speech reveal about God's character—His commitment to sustain and vindicate His people under persecution?
How might anticipating Spirit's help during persecution change Christians' attitude toward suffering for Christ's sake?
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Analysis & Commentary
When they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak—the Greek mē promerimnate (μὴ προμεριμνᾶτε) means 'do not pre-plan anxiously.' This isn't prohibiting preparation (Paul reasoned carefully—Acts 17:2) but anxiety-driven scripting. Whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost (Greek to pneuma to hagion, τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον).
This promises supernatural enablement during persecution. The Spirit gives words (Acts 4:8 Peter filled with Spirit before Sanhedrin; 7:55 Stephen saw heaven opened). This isn't excuse for lazy sermon preparation—context is persecution, not regular teaching. The promise applies when arrested for Christ, brought before hostile authorities. God demonstrates power through weak vessels—eloquence comes from Spirit, not human ability. This sustained martyrs through centuries: they testified boldly despite no formal training, confounding accusers.