martyr

one who bears witness of the truth, and suffers death in the cause of Christ (Acts 22:20; Rev. 2:13; 17:6)

In this sense, Stephen was the first martyr.

The Greek word so rendered in all other cases is translated “witness.”

  1. In a court of justice (Matthew 18:16; 26:65; Acts 6:13; 7:58; Hebrews 10:28; 1 Timothy 5:19).
  2. As of one bearing testimony to the truth of what he has seen or known (Luke 24:48; Acts 1:8, 22; Romans 1:9; 1 Thess. 2:5, 10; 1 John 1:2).

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