Ashamed as We Understand It?

Thinking about Ezra 8.22. I don't think that Ezra was constrained by his pride here, as if to say he was too proud to ask for the king's help. I think he realized the implications. He had told the king that God's hand is for good on all who seek him. If he asked the king for help, the king would think, "it's some God you have Ezra. He's not even strong enough to protect you on your journey back to your homeland?" Ezra is concerned about God's glory here, not about his own pride.

On the other hand, he does use the word "ashamed" so it would be pretty important to really understand his use of that word here. NIDOTTE: ‏שׁוֹּבִ‎ with a subjective sense. With a subjective sense ‏שׁוֹּב ‎may denote the fear of offense against decency or correct conduct. In this sense Ezra was “ashamed” to misuse his position for further requests for protection (Ezra 8:22).

Do Not Be Ashamed

Ruminating on Mark 8.38 after my Bible reading today. Sobering words from Christ. The Greek word for ashamed is in classical greek "The root aisch- refers originally to that which is ugly and disgraceful. aischyno (Homer onwards) thus meant originally to disfigure, make ugly. It is found in Gk. literature almost exclusively in the mid. or pass. with the meaning to feel shame, be ashamed, or to be confounded, be disconcerted (NIDNTT)."

Christ does not define what he means by whoever . Does he mean both the righteous and the unrighteous? Does he mean that if you are ashamed of him and his words by definition one cannot be righteous (and therefore he is speaking only of those who do not believe in him?). Whatever he does mean, the implication for a follower of Christ is clear—do not be ashamed of Christ. Do not live one's life in shame of whom one believes. One might compare this to being in love. One's partner might be a little mystified and less than impressed if the opposite party does nothing but hide the relationship from others. Love is meant to be proclaimed and demonstrated to the world. How much more Christ?