Hebrews 12:11-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 12:4-17

Here the apostle presses the exhortation to patience and perseverance by an argument taken from the gentle measure and gracious nature of those sufferings which the believing Hebrews endured in their Christian course. I. From the gentle and moderate degree and measure of their sufferings: You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin, Heb. 12:4. Observe, 1. He owns that they had suffered much, they had been striving to an agony against sin. Here, (1.) The cause of the conflict was... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 12:5-11

12:5-11 Have you forgotten the appeal, an appeal which reasons with you as sons? "My son, do not treat lightly the discipline which the Lord sends; Never lose heart when you are put to the test by him; For the Lord disciplines the man whom he loves, and scourges every son whom he receives." It is for the sake of discipline that you must endure. It is because he is treating us as sons that God sends these things upon us. What son is there whom his father does not discipline? If... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 12:12-17

12:12-17 So, then, lift up the slack hands. Strengthen the weak knees. And make straight the paths of your feet so that the bones of the lame may not be completely dislocated but rather may be cured. Make peace your aim--and do it all together--and aim at that holiness without which no one can see the Lord. Watch that no one misses the grace of God. Watch that no pernicious influence grows up to involve you in troubles. And watch that the main body of your people are not soiled by any such... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 12:11

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous ,.... These words anticipate an objection, taken from the grief and sorrow that comes by afflictions; and therefore how should they be for profit and advantage? The apostle answers, by granting that no affliction "seemeth" to be joyous, in outward appearance to flesh and blood, and according to the judgment of carnal sense and reason; in this view of afflictions, it must be owned, they do not appear to be matter, cause, or occasion of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 12:12

These words may be considered as spoken to the Hebrews, with respect to themselves; accordingly, the Syriac version reads, "your hands", and "your knees"; who were sluggish, and inactive in prayer, in hearing the word, in attendance on ordinances, in holding fast their profession, and in the performance of those things which adorn it; they were weary and fatigued with weights and burdens of sins and afflictions; and were faint, fearful, and timorous, through distrust of the promised good,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:11

No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous - Neither correction, wholesome restraint, domestic regulations, nor gymnastic discipline, are pleasant to them that are thus exercised; but it is by these means that obedient children, scholars, and great men are made. And it is by God's discipline that Christians are made. He who does not bear the yoke of Christ is good for nothing to others, and never gains rest to his own soul. The peaceable fruit of righteousness - i.e. The joyous,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:12

Wherefore lift up the hands - The apostle refers to Isaiah 35:3 . The words are an address to persons almost worn out with sickness and fatigue, whose hands hang down, whose knees shake, and who are totally discouraged. These are exhorted to exert themselves, and take courage, with the assurance that they shall infallibly conquer if they persevere. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:11

Verse 11 11.Now no chastening, etc. This he adds, lest we should measure God’s chastisements by our present feelings; for he shows that we are like children who dread the rod and shun it as much as they can, for owing to their age they cannot yet judge how useful it may be to them. The object, then, of this admonition is, that chastisements cannot be estimated aright if judged according to what the flesh feels under them, and that therefore we must fix our eyes on the end: we shall thus receive... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:12

Verse 12 12.Wherefore, lift up, etc. After having taught us that God regards our salvation when he chastises us, he then exhorts us to exert ourselves vigorously; for nothing will more weaken us and more fully discourage us than through the influence of a false notion to have no taste of God’s grace in adversities. There is, therefore, nothing more efficacious to raise us up than the intimation that God is present with us, even when he afflicts us, and is solicitous about our welfare. But in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Hebrews 12:4-17

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 12:5-11

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Hebrews 12:12-17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 12:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Hebrews 12:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:1-29

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