Ye have net yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Here (as in 1 Corinthians 9:26 ) there is a transition of thought from a race to a combat. Your trials have not yet reached the point of dying in the good fight of faith, as has been the case with some of your brethren before you, who have followed their Leader to the end (of. Hebrews 13:7 ). read more
Chastisement. In this passage the writer reminds the Hebrews that although doubtless they had sustained severe trials on account of their devotedness to Christ, none of them had yet been required to seal their faith with their blood ( Hebrews 12:4 ). Other children of God had suffered much more than they ( Hebrews 11:35-38 ), and had remained faithful. For them to apostatize would, therefore, be very heinous sin. Rather they must learn to view their afflictions as the corrections of... read more
Looking unto Jesus - As a further inducement to do this, the apostle exhorts us to look to the Saviour. We are to look to his holy life; to his patience and perseverance in trials; to what he endured in order to obtain the crown, and to his final success and triumph.The author and finisher of our faith - The word “our” is not in the original here, and obscures the sense. The meaning is, he is the first and the last as an example of faith or of confidence in God - occupying in this, as in all... read more
For consider him - Attentively reflect on his example that you may be able to bear your trials in a proper manner.That endured such contradiction of sinners - Such opposition. The reference is to the Jews of the time of the Saviour, who opposed his plans, perverted his sayings, and ridiculed his claims. Yet, regardless of their opposition, he persevered in the course which he had marked out, and went patiently forward in the execution of his plans. The idea is, that we are to pursue the path of... read more
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin - The general sense of this passage is, “you have not yet been called in your Christian struggles to the highest kind of sufferings and sacrifices. Great as your trials may seem to have been, yet your faith has not yet been put to the severest test. And since this is so, you ought not to yield in the conflict with evil, but manfully resist it.” In the language used here there is undoubtedly a continuance of the allusion to the agonistic... read more
Hebrews 12:2. Looking Αφορωντες , literally, looking off, from all other things; unto Jesus As the wounded Israelites looked to the brazen serpent. Our crucified Lord was prefigured by the lifting up of this; our guilt by the stings of the fiery serpents; and our faith by their looking up to the miraculous remedy; the author and finisher of our faith Who called us out to this strenuous yet glorious enterprise, who animates us by his example, and supports us by his grace, till the... read more
Hebrews 12:3-4. For consider him Draw the comparison and think; the Lord bore all this, and shall his servants bear nothing? If he suffered, if he endured such things, why should not we do so also? If he, though so great, so excellent, so infinitely exalted above us; yet endured such contradiction of sinners Such grievous things, both in words and deeds, from his enemies; against himself Ought not we to do so too, if called to it? Consider this; lest ye be wearied By the greatness and... read more
Discipline in the Christian life (12:1-11)The examples of true faith that the writer has just given should encourage the Jewish Christians to face their difficulties with similar perseverance. They must remove the sin that hinders, and strengthen themselves to withstand defeat. They will be encouraged to endure as they consider the sufferings that Jesus endured and the heavenly reward that he now enjoys (12:1-2).Whatever these Christians may have to endure, their sufferings are small when... read more
Looking = Looking away from (these witnesses). Greek. aphorao. App-133 . Compare Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:23 . Jesus . App-98 . Author . See Hebrews 2:10 and Acts 3:15 . Finisher = Perfecter. Greek. teleiotes. Only here. Compare App-125Hebrews 1:2; Hebrews 1:2 . faith . Greek. pistis . App-150 . He stands at the head of the train of faith's heroes, and alone brought faith to perfection. Omit our. endured = patiently endured. See Hebrews 10:32 . the = a. the shame = shame. is... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:3
The Christian's danger of weariness and his defense. "For consider him that endured such contradiction," etc. Our subject naturally divides itself into two branches, I. THE EVIL TO BE GUARDED AGAINST . "Lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." The Christian is in danger of weariness in the course which he is called to run. This weariness springs from faintness of soul. When the heart loses its faith and hope and enthusiasm, the step soon loses its elasticity and vigor... read more