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Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 12:4

4. not yet resisted unto blood—image from pugilism, as he previously had the image of a race, both being taken from the great national Greek games. Ye have suffered the loss of goods, and been a gazing-stock by reproaches and afflictions; ye have not shed your blood (see on Hebrews 12:1). "The athlete who hath seen his own blood, and who, though cast down by his opponent, does not let his spirits be cast down, who as often as he hath fallen hath risen the more determined, goes down to the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 12:1-3

1. The example of Jesus 12:1-3One writer observed a chiastic structure in verses one and two."Therefore we,[A] having seated around about us such a cloud of witnesses, [B] setting aside every weight and every clinging sin . . . [C] with patient endurance . . . [D] let us run the race that is set before us[E] keeping our eyes on Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of the faith, [D’] who for the joy that was set before Him . . . [C’] patiently endured the cross . . . [B’] despising shame . . .[A’]... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 12:1-13

B. Demonstrating Necessary Endurance 12:1-13The writer followed up his scriptural exposition with another final exhortation (chs. 12-13). This is a pattern he followed consistently throughout this epistle. He first called on his readers to persevere faithfully so they would not lose any of their reward. This section is chiastic.A A call to run with endurance (Hebrews 12:1-3) B Explanation of the role of suffering (Hebrews 12:4-11)A’ A call to renew commitment to endure (Hebrews 12:12-13) read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 12:2-3

As a runner keeps looking toward his or her goal, so we should keep looking to Jesus, not primarily to the other witnesses (Hebrews 12:1). When we take our eyes of faith off Jesus, we begin to sink, like Peter did (Matthew 14:22-33). Jesus should be our primary model when it comes to persevering. The writer used the simple personal name "Jesus" to accent our Lord’s humanity, especially His endurance of pain, humiliation, and the disgrace of the cross."The writer now returns to the duty of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 12:3

The readers should think upon Jesus so they might not grow tired of persevering and lose heart. Meditation on Jesus and the cross encourage us to continue to follow God’s will faithfully. It is natural for us to overestimate the severity of our trials, and the writer did not want us to do this."The clear implication for the audience is that if they were to relinquish their commitment to Christ under the pressure of persistent opposition they would express active opposition against themselves... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 12:4

The readers had not yet resisted sin to the extent that their enemies were torturing or killing them for their faith, as had been Jesus’ experience. Evidently there had been no martyrs among the readers yet, though the writer and the readers undoubtedly knew of Christians elsewhere who had died for their faith (e.g., Stephen, James, et al.). Their striving against sin probably refers to both resisting sinful opponents and resisting temptations to sin in their own lives (Hebrews 12:1). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 12:4-11

2. The proper view of trials 12:4-11The writer put his readers’ sufferings in perspective so they might not overestimate the difficulty they faced in remaining faithful to God."Suffering comes to all; it is part of life, but it is not easy to bear. Yet it is not quite so bad when it can be seen as meaningful. . . . The writer points out the importance of discipline and proceeds to show that for Christians suffering is rightly understood only when seen as God’s fatherly discipline, correcting... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Hebrews 12:2

12:2 stedfastly (d-2) It means, looking away from other things and fixing the eye exclusively on one. leader (e-6) See Note, Acts 3:15 . down (f-30) The perfect tense with abiding result. read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Hebrews 12:3

12:3 well (g-3) 'Weigh so as to judge its value,' and sometimes in comparison with other things. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:1-29

The Contest. Endurance, Holiness, and Divine Communion proposed to the Sons of GodInspired by the example of those victorious heroes of faith who now encompass us, we ought to run our race patiently, looking to Jesus the supreme example of patient endurance (Hebrews 12:1-2). The present sufferings are the discipline of a loving Father, and are actually evidence of our being His children. Be brave, therefore, and help others to be the same (Hebrews 12:3-13). Beware of strife and impurity, taking... read more

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