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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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Hebrews 12:4

not yet . Greek. oupo. resisted . Greek. antikathistemi. Only here. unto . Greek. mechris. Compare Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:8 . striving . Greek. antagonizomai. Only here. sin . App-128 . The Lord's example is set before them. Hitherto they had to endure spoliation and shameful treatment, but not martyrdom. This is in favour of the early date of the Epistle ( App-180 ). The words "not yet" suggest a time before the persecution under Nero, which began A.D. 65 and lasted till his... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Hebrews 12:4

Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.The sufferings of Christ, even unto death, are here contrasted with the sufferings of the Hebrews; and the interjection of the word "yet" appears to be the bluntest kind of warning that such a dreadful experience may indeed be waiting for them, just ahead. Westcott said:This statement is in no way opposed to the view that the epistle was addressed to the Palestinian church out of which St. Stephen and St. James had suffered... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Hebrews 12:4

Hebrews 12:4.— The apostle having encouraged the Hebrews by the examples of others who had patiently suffered for truth and holiness, especially that of Christ, now adds, that they were not yet called out to suffer to the death, and they ought to look on their sufferings as chastisements of a father's hand, and patiently endure them for two reasons; both because every father corrects his children, and because God designed to promote their welfare by chastising them. If others did not faint,... read more

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 12:1-13

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 12:4

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 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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Hebrews 12:4

(4) Ye have not yet resisted unto blood.—Still the general figure is retained, but for the footrace is substituted the contest of the pugilists. In Hebrews 12:1 sin was the hindrance which must be put aside; here it is the antagonist who must be subdued. It is interesting to note exactly the same transition in 1 Corinthians 9:26. (See Note.) The contest has been maintained but feebly, for no blood has flowed in their struggle with temptation and sin; they have not deserted the arena, but have... read more

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