“A Time to Keep Silence and a Time to Speak"
Ecclesiastes 3:7
The Bible contains several passages where God, through Jesus and the apostles, admonishes or warns believers who fail to share the gospel. Key admonitions include: [1, 2, 3]
- Mark 8:38: Jesus warns that he will be ashamed of those who are "ashamed of me and my words".
- 2 Timothy 4:1-5: Paul charges Timothy, and by extension all believers, in the presence of God to "preach the word" and "do the work of an evangelist".
- Matthew 25:14-30: The Parable of the Talents implies a judgment on those who fail to use what God gave them (the gospel message/resources) to increase the kingdom, labeling it slothful.
- Romans 10:14: Implies the necessity of a "preacher" (proclaimer) for people to hear and believe. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Key Perspectives on Non-Evangelism:
- Shame and Fear: Silence in evangelism is sometimes interpreted as being ashamed of Christ.
- Disobedience: Evangelism is presented not as an option but as a mandate, and failure to do so is a failure to fulfill one's ministry.
- Neglect of Others: A failure to evangelize is framed as a lack of love for people.
- Temporary Rejection: While not an admonition against failing to evangelize, Jesus instructs his followers in Matthew 10:11–14 to stop preaching to those who refuse to hear and to "shake the dust off" their feet. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
For further reading, consider the Desiring God interview on whether you can be saved if you never evangelize or the article by Sharper Iron on when to stop evangelizing. [1, 2]
Bible Verses About Proclaiming the Gospel
- Mark 16:15 (ESV)
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
- Romans 1:16 (ESV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
- 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
- Acts 1:8 (ESV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
- Romans 10:13-14 (ESV)
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
- Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
- 2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV)
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
- John 20:21 (ESV)
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV)
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
- Acts 13:47 (ESV)
For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
- 1 Corinthians 9:16 (ESV)
For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
- Luke 24:47 (ESV)
And that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
- Jeremiah 26:2 (ESV)
“Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship in the house of the Lord all the words that I command you to speak to them; do not hold back a word.
- Ephesians 6:15 (ESV)
And, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
- John 3:16-17 (ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
- Acts 20:24 (ESV)
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
- 2 Timothy 4:5 (ESV)
As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
- Matthew 9:37-38 (ESV)
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
- Philemon 1:6 (ESV)
And I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.
- Matthew 5:15-16 ESV
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Bible verses regarding silence about the Gospel generally fall into two categories: strategic wisdom (when to speak) and specific, temporary commands by Jesus, according to Bible Study Tools and Sharper Iron. Key examples include Ecclesiastes 3:7 ("a time to keep silence, and a time to speak") and Mark 7:36, where Jesus commanded people to tell no one about his miracles, note Cara Ray and Patheos. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Verses on Strategic Silence or Restraint
- Ecclesiastes 3:7: "...a time to keep silence, and a time to speak".
- Proverbs 17:28: "Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent" (often applied to knowing when to refrain from speaking).
- Matthew 7:6: "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs" (interpreted as a command to stop sharing the Gospel with those who consistently reject/mock it).
- Matthew 10:14: Directions to shake the dust off feet when a house or town refuses to hear the message.
- Mark 1:43-45: Jesus warns a cleansed leper to say nothing to anyone, though the man did not follow this instruction.
- Mark 7:36: "Jesus charged them to tell no one, but the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it".
- Matthew 27:12-14: Jesus remains silent before his accusers, demonstrating silence in the face of mockery. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Contextual Understanding
- Divine Timing: Set Apart notes that Ecclesiastes 3:7 highlights that silence is not always a lack of faith, but sometimes a matter of timing.
- When to Stop: Sharper Iron argues that while sharing is crucial, there are times to stop, such as when evangelistic efforts are met with intense hostility or when a "shake the dust off" scenario arises.
- Handling Holy Things: Jon English Lee suggests that in certain contexts, silence is appropriate to avoid casting "pearls before swine" (Matt 7:6). [1, 2, 3, 4]
