4:11 no certain dwellingplace. Many of God’s choicest servants, like Paul, have been called like Abraham, “to go out into a place…not knowing whither he went” (Hebrews 11:8). They “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). It is best for those who would be truly used of God not to get their roots too deep in any one place on earth.

4:13 Being defamed, we intreat. Bible-believing Christians—especially literal creationists—are constantly being vilified by the media and by self-appointed spokesmen of the academic and educational establishments. But the proper way to respond is given in Christ’s response to more intense opposition than we can ever face (I Peter 2:21-23). Note also Matthew 5:11,44).