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Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 12:2

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 12:3

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 12:4

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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 12:5

And ye have forgotten the exhortation - This exhortation is found in Proverbs 3:11-12. The object of the apostle in introducing it here is, to show that afflictions were designed on the part of God to produce some happy effects in the lives of his people, and that they ought, therefore, to bear them patiently. In the previous verses, he directs them to the example of the Saviour. In this verse and the following, for the same object he directs their attention to the design of trials, showing... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 12:6

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth - This is also a quotation from Proverbs 3:0. It means that it is a universal rule that God sends trials on those whom he truly loves. It does not, of course, mean that he sends chastisement which is not deserved; or that he sends it “for the mere purpose” of inflicting pain. That cannot be. But it means that by his chastisements he shows that he has a paternal care for us. He does not treat us with neglect and unconcern, as a father often does his... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 12:1

Hebrews 12:1. By a bold but rhetorical figure, the apostle, in the beginning of this chapter, represents the patriarchs, judges, kings, prophets, and righteous men, whose faith he had celebrated in the preceding chapter, after having finished their own labours, combats, and sufferings with honour, as standing round and looking on the believing Hebrews while running the Christian race. He therefore exhorts them to exert themselves strenuously in the presence of such spectators. But, above all,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 12:2

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 12:3-4

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 12:5-8

Hebrews 12:5-8. And ye have forgotten, &c. As if he had said, If you faint it will appear you have forgotten, the exhortation Wherein God speaks to you with the utmost tenderness; as unto his own dear children, saying, My son, despise not thou Do not slight or make light of; the chastening of the Lord Do not impute it to chance or to second causes, but see and revere the hand of God in it; account it a great mercy, and improve it; nor faint, and sink, when thou art rebuked... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Hebrews 12:1-11

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

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