Hebrews 12:12 - Exposition

Wherefore lift up (for, straighten anew ) the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees (rather, the relaxed hands and the loosened or enfeebled knees ) . The word παραλελυμένα is used only by St. Luke elsewhere in the New Testament, and with reference to persons paralyzed ( Luke 5:18 , Luke 5:24 ; Acts 8:7 ; Acts 9:33 ). The form of the exhortation is taken from Isaiah 35:3 , ἰσχύσατε χεῖρες ἀνειμέναι καὶ γόνατα παραλελυμένα . The figure of the palaestra is thus again brought into view, with reference both to boxing and running.