A martyr is a witness who testifies to the truth of Christ — specifically, one who suffers death rather than renounce that witness. The Greek word martys simply means "witness," but by the mid-second century it had acquired its specific meaning of one who dies for the faith. Scripture shows Stephen as the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:58–60), dying as Christ did — forgiving his killers. Revelation 6:9 depicts the souls of those "slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne," assured that their blood is precious to God and will be avenged.
MAR'TYR, n. [Gr. martys, a witness.] One who, by his death, bears witness to the truth of the gospel. In a general sense, one who suffers death in defense of any cause. MAR'TYR, v.t. To put to death for adhering to what one believes to be the truth; to sacrifice on account of faith or profession. One who suffers for his principles.
The word "martyr" has been cheapened and co-opted. Culturally, to "martyr" oneself now means to play the victim, to perform suffering for sympathy, or to claim persecution when one simply faces disagreement or inconvenience. Meanwhile, Islam uses the term for suicide bombers — inverting the concept entirely, as true Christian martyrdom is receiving death, not inflicting it. The trivialization of this word dishonors those who actually bled and burned for confessing Christ as Lord.
Acts 7:58–60 — Stephen, stoned to death, cries "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" — the prototype of Christian martyrdom.
Revelation 6:9–11 — The souls of martyrs under the altar cry out for justice; God tells them to rest a little longer.
Revelation 12:11 — "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death."
Matthew 10:28 — "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul."
Philippians 1:21 — "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
G3144 — Martys: witness — root of both "martyr" and "testimony"
G3141 — Martyria: testimony, witness — the act of bearing witness
G3140 — Martyreo: to testify, to bear witness — used throughout John's gospel and Revelation
• Tertullian wrote: "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church" — persecution spread the gospel rather than extinguishing it.
• A martyr does not seek death but refuses to purchase life by denying Christ.
• The testimony of martyrs has always been one of the most powerful apologetics for the truth of Christianity — people do not willingly die for what they know to be a lie.