Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Hebrews » Chapter 12 » Verse 3

Hebrews 12:3 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

3 For G1063 consider G357 him that endured G5278 such G5108 contradiction G485 of G5259 sinners G268 against G1519 himself, G846 lest G3363 ye be wearied G2577 and faint G1590 in your G5216 minds. G5590

Cross Reference

2 Corinthians 4:16 STRONG

For which cause G1352 we faint G1573 not; G3756 but G235 though G1499 our G2257 outward G1854 man G444 perish, G1311 yet G235 the inward G2081 man is renewed G341 day G2250 by G2532 day. G2250

Galatians 6:9 STRONG

And G1161 let us G1573 not G3361 be weary G1573 in well G2570 doing: G4160 for G1063 in due G2398 season G2540 we shall reap, G2325 if we faint G1590 not. G3361

John 15:18-24 STRONG

If G1487 the world G2889 hate G3404 you, G5209 ye know G1097 that G3754 it hated G3404 me G1691 before G4412 it hated you. G5216 If G1487 ye were G2258 of G1537 the world, G2889 the world G2889 would G302 love G5368 his own: G2398 but G1161 because G3754 ye are G2075 not G3756 of G1537 the world, G2889 but G235 I G1473 have chosen G1586 you G5209 out of G1537 the world, G2889 therefore G5124 G1223 the world G2889 hateth G3404 you. G5209 Remember G3421 the word G3056 that G3739 I G1473 said G2036 unto you, G5213 The servant G1401 is G2076 not G3756 greater than G3187 his G846 lord. G2962 If G1487 they have persecuted G1377 me, G1691 they will G1377 also G2532 persecute G1377 you; G5209 if G1487 they have kept G5083 my G3450 saying, G3056 they will keep G5083 yours G5212 also. G2532 But G235 all G3956 these things G5023 will they do G4160 unto you G5213 for G1223 my G3450 name's G3686 sake, G3450 because G3754 they know G1492 not G3756 him that sent G3992 me. G3165 If G1508 I had G2064 not G1508 come G2064 and G2532 spoken G2980 unto them, G846 they had G2192 not G3756 had G2192 sin: G266 but G1161 now G3568 they have G2192 no G3756 cloke G4392 for G4012 their G846 sin. G266 He that hateth G3404 me G1691 hateth G3404 my G3450 Father G3962 also. G2532 If G1508 I had G4160 not G1508 done G4160 among G1722 them G846 the works G2041 which G3739 none G3762 other man G243 did, G4160 they had G2192 not G3756 had G2192 sin: G266 but G1161 now G3568 have they G3708 both G2532 seen G3708 and G2532 hated G3404 both G2532 me G1691 and G2532 my G3450 Father. G3962

Revelation 2:3 STRONG

And G2532 hast borne, G941 and G2532 hast G2192 patience, G5281 and G2532 for G1223 my G3450 name's sake G1223 G3686 hast laboured, G2872 and G2532 hast G2577 not G3756 fainted. G2577

1 Corinthians 15:58 STRONG

Therefore, G5620 my G3450 beloved G27 brethren, G80 be ye G1096 stedfast, G1476 unmoveable, G277 always G3842 abounding G4052 in G1722 the work G2041 of the Lord, G2962 forasmuch as ye know G1492 that G3754 your G5216 labour G2873 is G2076 not G3756 in vain G2756 in G1722 the Lord. G2962

Hebrews 12:5 STRONG

And G2532 ye have forgotten G1585 the exhortation G3874 which G3748 speaketh G1256 unto you G5213 as G5613 unto children, G5207 My G3450 son, G5207 despise G3643 not G3361 thou G3643 the chastening G3809 of the Lord, G2962 nor G3366 faint G1590 when thou art rebuked G1651 of G5259 him: G846

Hebrews 12:2 STRONG

Looking G872 unto G1519 Jesus G2424 the author G747 and G2532 finisher G5051 of our faith; G4102 who G3739 for G473 the joy G5479 that was set before G4295 him G846 endured G5278 the cross, G4716 despising G2706 the shame, G152 and G5037 is set down G2523 at G1722 the right hand G1188 of the throne G2362 of God. G2316

Proverbs 24:10 STRONG

If thou faint H7503 in the day H3117 of adversity, H6869 thy strength H3581 is small. H6862

Deuteronomy 20:3 STRONG

And shall say H559 unto them, Hear, H8085 O Israel, H3478 ye approach H7131 this day H3117 unto battle H4421 against your enemies: H341 let not your hearts H3824 faint, H7401 fear H3372 not, and do not tremble, H2648 neither be ye terrified H6206 because H6440 of them;

1 Samuel 12:24 STRONG

Only fear H3372 the LORD, H3068 and serve H5647 him in truth H571 with all your heart: H3824 for consider H7200 how great things he hath done H1431 for you.

Isaiah 40:30-31 STRONG

Even the youths H5288 shall faint H3286 and be weary, H3021 and the young men H970 shall utterly H3782 fall: H3782 But they that wait H6960 upon the LORD H3068 shall renew H2498 their strength; H3581 they shall mount up H5927 with wings H83 as eagles; H5404 they shall run, H7323 and not be weary; H3021 and they shall walk, H3212 and not faint. H3286

Isaiah 50:4 STRONG

The Lord H136 GOD H3069 hath given H5414 me the tongue H3956 of the learned, H3928 that I should know H3045 how to speak H5790 a word H1697 in season to him that is weary: H3287 he wakeneth H5782 morning H1242 by morning, H1242 he wakeneth H5782 mine ear H241 to hear H8085 as the learned. H3928

Matthew 10:24-25 STRONG

The disciple G3101 is G2076 not G3756 above G5228 his master, G1320 nor G3761 the servant G1401 above G5228 his G846 lord. G2962 It is enough G713 for the disciple G3101 that G2443 he be G1096 as G5613 his G846 master, G1320 and G2532 the servant G1401 as G5613 his G846 lord. G2962 If G1487 they have called G2564 the master of the house G3617 Beelzebub, G954 how much G4214 more G3123 shall they call them of his G846 household? G3615

John 5:16 STRONG

And G2532 therefore G1223 G5124 did G1377 the Jews G2453 persecute G1377 Jesus, G2424 and G2532 sought G2212 to slay G615 him, G846 because G3754 he had done G4160 these things G5023 on G1722 the sabbath day. G4521

Hebrews 3:1 STRONG

Wherefore, G3606 holy G40 brethren, G80 partakers G3353 of the heavenly G2032 calling, G2821 consider G2657 the Apostle G652 and G2532 High Priest G749 of our G2257 profession, G3671 Christ G5547 Jesus; G2424

2 Timothy 2:7-8 STRONG

Consider G3539 what G3739 I say; G3004 and G1063 the Lord G2962 give G1325 thee G4671 understanding G4907 in G1722 all things. G3956 Remember G3421 that Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 of G1537 the seed G4690 of David G1138 was raised G1453 from G1537 the dead G3498 according to G2596 my G3450 gospel: G2098

2 Thessalonians 3:13 STRONG

But G1161 ye, G5210 brethren, G80 be G1573 not G3361 weary G1573 in well doing. G2569

2 Corinthians 4:1 STRONG

Therefore seeing G1223 G5124 we have G2192 this G5026 ministry, G1248 as G2531 we have received mercy, G1653 we faint G1573 not; G3756

John 18:22 STRONG

And G1161 when he G846 had G2036 thus G5023 spoken, G2036 one G1520 of the officers G5257 which stood by G3936 struck G1325 G4475 Jesus G2424 with the palm of his hand, G1325 G4475 saying, G2036 Answerest thou G611 the high priest G749 so? G3779

John 12:9-10 STRONG

Much G4183 people G3793 of G1537 the Jews G2453 therefore G3767 knew G1097 that G3754 he was G2076 there: G1563 and G2532 they came G2064 not G3756 for G1223 Jesus' G2424 sake only, G3440 but G235 that G2443 they might see G1492 Lazarus G2976 also, G2532 whom G3739 he had raised G1453 from G1537 the dead. G3498 But G1161 the chief priests G749 consulted G1011 that G2443 they might put G615 Lazarus G2976 also G2532 to death; G615

John 10:31-39 STRONG

Then G3767 the Jews G2453 took up G941 stones G3037 again G3825 to G2443 stone G3034 him. G846 Jesus G2424 answered G611 them, G846 Many G4183 good G2570 works G2041 have I shewed G1166 you G5213 from G1537 my G3450 Father; G3962 for G1223 which G4169 of those G846 works G2041 do ye stone G3034 me? G3165 The Jews G2453 answered G611 him, G846 saying, G3004 For G4012 a good G2570 work G2041 we stone G3034 thee G4571 not; G3756 but G235 for G4012 blasphemy; G988 and G2532 because G3754 that thou, G4771 being G5607 a man, G444 makest G4160 thyself G4572 God. G2316 Jesus G2424 answered G611 them, G846 Is it G2076 not G3756 written G1125 in G1722 your G5216 law, G3551 I G1473 said, G2036 Ye are G2075 gods? G2316 If G1487 he called G2036 them G1565 gods, G2316 unto G4314 whom G3739 the word G3056 of God G2316 came, G1096 and G2532 the scripture G1124 cannot G3756 G1410 be broken; G3089 Say G3004 ye G5210 of him, whom G3739 the Father G3962 hath sanctified, G37 and G2532 sent G649 into G1519 the world, G2889 G3754 Thou blasphemest; G987 because G3754 I said, G2036 I am G1510 the Son G5207 of God? G2316 If G1487 I do G4160 not G3756 the works G2041 of my G3450 Father, G3962 believe G4100 me G3427 not. G3361 But G1161 if G1487 I do, G4160 though G2579 ye believe G4100 not G3361 me, G1698 believe G4100 the works: G2041 that G2443 ye may know, G1097 and G2532 believe, G4100 that G3754 the Father G3962 is in G1722 me, G1698 and I G2504 in G1722 him. G846 Therefore G3767 they sought G2212 again G3825 to take G4084 him: G846 but G2532 he escaped G1831 out of G1537 their G846 hand, G5495

John 9:40 STRONG

And G2532 some of G1537 the Pharisees G5330 which G3588 were G5607 with G3326 him G846 heard G191 these words, G5023 and G2532 said G2036 unto him, G846 Are G3361 G2070 we G2249 blind G5185 also? G2532

John 8:59 STRONG

Then G3767 took they up G142 stones G3037 to G2443 cast G906 at G1909 him: G846 but G1161 Jesus G2424 hid himself, G2928 and G2532 went G1831 out of G1537 the temple, G2411 going G1330 through G1223 the midst G3319 of them, G846 and G2532 so G3779 passed by. G3855

Luke 11:15-16 STRONG

But G1161 some G5100 of G1537 them G846 said, G2036 He casteth out G1544 devils G1140 through G1722 Beelzebub G954 the chief G758 of the devils. G1140 And G1161 others, G2087 tempting G3985 him, sought G2212 of G3844 him G846 a sign G4592 from G1537 heaven. G3772

Matthew 11:19 STRONG

The Son G5207 of man G444 came G2064 eating G2068 and G2532 drinking, G4095 and G2532 they say, G3004 Behold G2400 a man G444 gluttonous, G5314 and G2532 a winebibber, G3630 a friend G5384 of publicans G5057 and G2532 sinners. G268 But G2532 wisdom G4678 is justified G1344 of G575 her G846 children. G5043

Matthew 12:24 STRONG

But G1161 when the Pharisees G5330 heard G191 it, they said, G2036 This G3778 fellow doth G1544 not G3756 cast out G1544 devils, G1140 but G1508 by G1722 Beelzebub G954 the prince G758 of the devils. G1140

Matthew 15:2 STRONG

Why G1302 do thy G4675 disciples G3101 transgress G3845 the tradition G3862 of the elders? G4245 for G1063 they wash G3538 not G3756 their G846 hands G5495 when G3752 they eat G2068 bread. G740

Matthew 21:15-16 STRONG

And G1161 when the chief priests G749 and G2532 scribes G1122 saw G1492 the wonderful things G2297 that G3739 he did, G4160 and G2532 the children G3816 crying G2896 in G1722 the temple, G2411 and G2532 saying, G3004 Hosanna G5614 to the Son G5207 of David; G1138 they were sore displeased, G23 And G2532 said G2036 unto him, G846 Hearest thou G191 what G5101 these G3778 say? G3004 And G1161 Jesus G2424 saith G3004 unto them, G846 Yea; G3483 have ye never G3763 read, G314 G3754 Out of G1537 the mouth G4750 of babes G3516 and G2532 sucklings G2337 thou hast perfected G2675 praise? G136

Matthew 21:23 STRONG

And G2532 when he G846 was come G2064 into G1519 the temple, G2411 the chief priests G749 and G2532 the elders G4245 of the people G2992 came G4334 unto him G846 as he was teaching, G1321 and said, G3004 By G1722 what G4169 authority G1849 doest thou G4160 these things? G5023 and G2532 who G5101 gave G1325 thee G4671 this G5026 authority? G1849

Matthew 21:46 STRONG

But G2532 when they sought G2212 to lay hands G2902 on him, G846 they feared G5399 the multitude, G3793 because G1894 they took G2192 him G846 for G5613 a prophet. G4396

Matthew 22:15 STRONG

Then G5119 went G4198 the Pharisees, G5330 and took G2983 counsel G4824 how G3704 they might entangle G3802 him G846 in G1722 his talk. G3056

Luke 2:34 STRONG

And G2532 Simeon G4826 blessed G2127 them, G846 and G2532 said G2036 unto G4314 Mary G3137 his G846 mother, G3384 Behold, G2400 this G3778 child is set G2749 for G1519 the fall G4431 and G2532 rising again G386 of many G4183 in G1722 Israel; G2474 and G2532 for G1519 a sign G4592 which shall be spoken against; G483

Luke 4:28-29 STRONG

And G2532 all they G3956 in G1722 the synagogue, G4864 when they heard G191 these things, G5023 were filled G4130 with wrath, G2372 And G2532 rose up, G450 and thrust G1544 him G846 out of G1854 the city, G4172 and G2532 led G71 him G846 unto G2193 the brow G3790 of the hill G3735 whereon G1909 G3739 their G846 city G4172 was built, G3618 that G1519 they might cast G2630 him G846 down headlong. G2630

Luke 5:21 STRONG

And G2532 the scribes G1122 and G2532 the Pharisees G5330 began G756 to reason, G1260 saying, G3004 Who G5101 is G2076 this G3778 which G3739 speaketh G2980 blasphemies? G988 Who G5101 can G1410 forgive G863 sins, G266 but G1508 God G2316 alone? G3441

John 8:52 STRONG

Then G3767 said G2036 the Jews G2453 unto him, G846 Now G3568 we know G1097 that G3754 thou hast G2192 a devil. G1140 Abraham G11 is dead, G599 and G2532 the prophets; G4396 and G2532 thou G4771 sayest, G3004 If G1437 a man G5100 keep G5083 my G3450 saying, G3056 he shall G1089 never G3364 G1519 G165 taste G1089 of death. G2288

Luke 11:53-54 STRONG

And G1161 as he G846 said G3004 these things G5023 unto G4314 them, G846 the scribes G1122 and G2532 the Pharisees G5330 began G756 to urge G1758 him vehemently, G1171 and G2532 to provoke G653 him G846 to speak G653 of G4012 many things: G4119 Laying wait for G1748 him, G846 and G2532 seeking G2212 to catch G2340 something G5100 out of G1537 his G846 mouth, G4750 that G2443 they might accuse G2723 him. G846

Luke 13:13-14 STRONG

And G2532 he laid G2007 his hands G5495 on G2007 her: G846 and G2532 immediately G3916 she was made straight, G461 and G2532 glorified G1392 God. G2316 And G1161 the ruler of the synagogue G752 answered G611 with indignation, G23 because G3754 that Jesus G2424 had healed G2323 on the sabbath G4521 day, and said G3004 unto the people, G3793 There are G1526 six G1803 days G2250 in G1722 which G3739 men ought G1163 to work: G2038 in G1722 them G5025 therefore G3767 come G2064 and be healed, G2323 and G2532 not G3361 on the sabbath G4521 day. G2250

Luke 14:1 STRONG

And G2532 it came to pass, G1096 as G1722 he G846 went G2064 into G1519 the house G3624 of one G5100 of the chief G758 Pharisees G5330 to eat G5315 bread G740 on the sabbath G4521 day, that G2532 they G846 watched G2258 G3906 him. G846

Luke 15:2 STRONG

And G2532 the Pharisees G5330 and G2532 scribes G1122 murmured, G1234 saying, G3004 This man G3754 G3778 receiveth G4327 sinners, G268 and G2532 eateth G4906 with them. G846

Luke 16:14 STRONG

And G1161 the Pharisees G5330 also, G2532 who were G5225 covetous, G5366 heard G191 all G3956 these things: G5023 and G2532 they derided G1592 him. G846

Luke 19:39-40 STRONG

And G2532 some G5100 of the Pharisees G5330 from G575 among the multitude G3793 said G2036 unto G4314 him, G846 Master, G1320 rebuke G2008 thy G4675 disciples. G3101 And G2532 he answered G611 and said G2036 unto them, G846 I tell G3004 you G5213 that, G3754 if G1437 these G3778 should hold their peace, G4623 the stones G3037 would immediately cry out. G2896

John 7:12 STRONG

And G2532 there was G2258 much G4183 murmuring G1112 among G1722 the people G3793 concerning G4012 him: G846 for some G3303 said, G3004 G3754 He is G2076 a good man: G18 others G1161 G243 said, G3004 Nay; G3756 but G235 he deceiveth G4105 the people. G3793

John 8:13 STRONG

The Pharisees G5330 therefore G3767 said G2036 unto him, G846 Thou G4771 bearest record G3140 of G4012 thyself; G4572 thy G4675 record G3141 is G2076 not G3756 true. G227

John 8:48-49 STRONG

Then G3767 answered G611 the Jews, G2453 and G2532 said G2036 unto him, G846 Say G3004 we G2249 not G3756 well G2573 that G3754 thou G4771 art G1488 a Samaritan, G4541 and G2532 hast G2192 a devil? G1140 Jesus G2424 answered, G611 I G1473 have G2192 not G3756 a devil; G1140 but G235 I honour G5091 my G3450 Father, G3962 and G2532 ye G5210 do dishonour G818 me. G3165

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Hebrews 12

Commentary on Hebrews 12 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 12

The apostle, in this chapter, applies what he has collected in the chapter foregoing, and makes use of it as a great motive to patience and perseverance in the Christian faith and state, pressing home the argument,

  • I. From a greater example than he had yet mentioned, and that is Christ himself (v. 1-3).
  • II. From the gentle and gracious nature of the afflictions they endured in their Christian course (v. 4-17).
  • III. From the communion and conformity between the state of the gospel-church on earth and the triumphant church in heaven (v. 18-29).

Hbr 12:1-3

Here observe what is the great duty which the apostle urges upon the Hebrews, and which he so much desires they would comply with, and that is, to lay aside every weight, and the sin that did so easily beset them, and run with patience the race set before them. The duty consists of two parts, the one preparatory, the other perfective.

  • I. Preparatory: Lay aside every weight, and the sin, etc.
    • 1. Every weight, that is, all inordinate affection and concern for the body, and the present life and world. Inordinate care for the present life, or fondness for it, is a dead weight upon the soul, that pulls it down when it should ascend upwards, and pulls it back when it should press forward; it makes duty and difficulties harder and heavier than they would be.
    • 2. The sin that doth so easily beset us; the sin that has the greatest advantage against us, by the circumstances we are in, our constitution, our company. This may mean either the damning sin of unbelief or rather the darling sin of the Jews, an over-fondness for their own dispensation. Let us lay aside all external and internal hindrances.
  • II. Perfective: Run with patience the race that is set before us. The apostle speaks in the gymnastic style, taken from the Olympic and other exercises.
    • 1. Christians have a race to run, a race of service and a race of sufferings, a course of active and passive obedience.
    • 2. This race is set before them; it is marked out unto them, both by the word of God and the examples of the faithful servants of God, that cloud of witnesses with which they are compassed about. It is set out by proper limits and directions; the mark they run to, and the prize they run for, are set before them.
    • 3. This race must be run with patience and perseverance. There will be need of patience to encounter the difficulties that lie in our way, of perseverance to resist all temptations to desist or turn aside. Faith and patience are the conquering graces, and therefore must be always cultivated and kept in lively exercise.
    • 4. Christians have a greater example to animate and encourage them in their Christian course than any or all who have been mentioned before, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ: Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, v. 2. Here observe,
      • (1.) What our Lord Jesus is to his people: he is the author and finisher of their faith-the beginning, perfecter, and rewarder of it.
        • [1.] He is the author of their faith; not only the object, but the author. He is the great leader and precedent of our faith, he trusted in God; he is the purchaser of the Spirit of faith, the publisher of the rule of faith, the efficient cause of the grace of faith, and in all respects the author of our faith.
        • [2.] He is the finisher of our faith; he is the fulfiller and the fulfilling of all scripture-promises and prophecies; he is the perfecter of the canon of scripture; he is the finisher of grace, and of the work of faith with power in the souls of his people; and he is the judge and the rewarder of their faith; he determines who they are that reach the mark, and from him, and in him, they have the prize.
      • (2.) What trials Christ met with in his race and course.
        • [1.] He endured the contradiction of sinners against himself (v. 3); he bore the opposition that they made to him, both in their words and behaviour. They were continually contradicting him, and crossing in upon his great designs; and though he could easily have both confuted and confounded them, and sometimes gave them a specimen of his power, yet he endured their evil manners with great patience. Their contradictions were levelled against Christ himself, against his person as God-man, against his authority, against his preaching, and yet he endured all.
        • [2.] He endured the cross-all those sufferings that he met with in the world; for he took up his cross betimes, and was at length nailed to it, and endured a painful, ignominious, and accursed death, in which he was numbered with the transgressors, the vilest malefactors; yet all this he endured with invincible patience and resolution.
        • [3.] He despised the shame. All the reproaches that were cast upon him, both in his life and at his death, he despised; he was infinitely above them; he knew his own innocency and excellency, and despised the ignorance and malice of his despisers.
      • (3.) What it was that supported the human soul of Christ under these unparalleled sufferings; and that was the joy that was set before him. He had something in view under all his sufferings, which was pleasant to him; he rejoiced to see that by his sufferings he should make satisfaction to the injured justice of God and give security to his honour and government, that he should make peace between God and man, that he should seal the covenant of grace and be the Mediator of it, that he should open a way of salvation to the chief of sinners, and that he should effectually save all those whom the Father had given him, and himself be the first-born among many brethren. This was the joy that was set before him.
      • (4.) The reward of his suffering: he has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Christ, as Mediator, is exalted to a station of the highest honour, of the greatest power and influence; he is at the right hand of the Father. Nothing passes between heaven and earth but by him; he does all that is done; he ever lives to make intercession for his people.
      • (5.) What is our duty with respect to this Jesus. We must,
        • [1.] Look unto him; that is, we must set him continually before us as our example, and our great encouragement; we must look to him for direction, for assistance, and for acceptance, in all our sufferings.
        • [2.] We must consider him, meditate much upon him, and reason with ourselves from his case to our own. We must analogize, as the word is; compare Christ's sufferings and ours; and we shall find that as his sufferings far exceeded ours, in the nature and measure of them, so his patience far excels ours, and is a perfect pattern for us to imitate.
      • (6.) The advantage we shall reap by thus doing: it will be a means to prevent our weariness and fainting (v. 3): Lest you be weary and faint in your minds. Observe,
        • [1.] There is a proneness in the best to grow weary and to faint under their trials and afflictions, especially when they prove heavy and of long continuance: this proceeds from the imperfections of grace and the remains of corruption.
        • [2.] The best way to prevent this is to look unto Jesus, and to consider him. Faith and meditation will fetch in fresh supplies of strength, comfort, and courage; for he has assured them, if they suffer with him, they shall also reign with him: and this hope will be their helmet.

Hbr 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, v. 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 sin, and to be engaged against sin is to fight in a good cause, for sin is the worst enemy both to God and man. Our spiritual warfare is both honourable and necessary; for we are only defending ourselves against that which would destroy us, if it should get the victory over us; we fight for ourselves, for our lives, and therefore ought to be patient and resolute.
      • (2.) Every Christian is enlisted under Christ's banner, to strive against sin, against sinful doctrines, sinful practices, and sinful habits and customs, both in himself and in others.
    • 2. He puts them in mind that they might have suffered more, that they had not suffered as much as others; for they had not yet resisted unto blood, they had not been called to martyrdom as yet, though they knew not how soon they might be. Learn here,
      • (1.) Our Lord Jesus, the captain of our salvation, does not call his people out to the hardest trials at first, but wisely trains them up by less sufferings to be prepared for greater. He will not put new wine into weak vessels, he is the gentle shepherd, who will not overdrive the young ones of the flock.
      • (2.) It becomes Christians to take notice of the gentleness of Christ in accommodating their trial to their strength. They should not magnify their afflictions, but should take notice of the mercy that is mixed with them, and should pity those who are called to the fiery trials to resist to blood; not to shed the blood of their enemies, but to seal their testimony with their own blood.
      • (3.) Christians should be ashamed to faint under less trials, when they see others bear up under greater, and do not know how soon they may meet with greater themselves. If we have run with the footmen and they have wearied us, how shall we contend with horses? If we be wearied in a land of peace, what shall we do in the swellings of Jordan? Jer. 12:5.
  • II. He argues from the peculiar and gracious nature of those sufferings that befall the people of God. Though their enemies and persecutors may be the instruments of inflicting such sufferings on them, yet they are divine chastisements; their heavenly Father has his hand in all, and his wise end to serve by all; of this he has given them due notice, and they should not forget it, v. 5. Observe,
    • 1. Those afflictions which may be truly persecution as far as men are concerned in them are fatherly rebukes and chastisements as far as God is concerned in them. Persecution for religion is sometimes a correction and rebuke for the sins of professors of religion. Men persecute them because they are religious; God chastises them because they are not more so: men persecute them because they will not give up their profession; God chastises them because they have not lived up to their profession.
    • 2. God has directed his people how they ought to behave themselves under all their afflictions; they must avoid the extremes that many run into.
      • (1.) They must not despise the chastening of the Lord; they must not make light of afflictions, and be stupid and insensible under them, for they are the hand and rod of God, and his rebukes for sin. Those who make light of affliction make light of God and make light of sin.
      • (2.) They must not faint when they are rebuked; they must not despond and sink under their trial, nor fret and repine, but bear up with faith and patience.
      • (3.) If they run into either of these extremes, it is a sign they have forgotten their heavenly Father's advice and exhortation, which he has given them in true and tender affection.
    • 3. Afflictions, rightly endured, though they may be the fruits of God's displeasure, are yet proofs of his paternal love to his people and care for them (v. 6, 7): Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Observe,
      • (1.) The best of God's children need chastisement. They have their faults and follies, which need to be corrected.
      • (2.) Though God may let others alone in their sins, he will correct sin in his own children; they are of his family, and shall not escape his rebukes when they want them.
      • (3.) In this he acts as becomes a father, and treats them like children; no wise and good father will wink at faults in his own children as he would in others; his relation and his affections oblige him to take more notice of the faults of his own children than those of others.
      • (4.) To be suffered to go on in sin without a rebuke is a sad sign of alienation from God; such are bastards, not sons. They may call him Father, because born in the pale of the church; but they are the spurious offspring of another father, not of God, v. 7, 8.
    • 4. Those that are impatient under the discipline of their heavenly Father behave worse towards him than they would do towards earthly parents, v. 9, 10. Here,
      • (1.) The apostle commends a dutiful and submissive behaviour in children towards their earthly parents We gave them reverence, even when they corrected us. It is the duty of children to give the reverence of obedience to the just commands of their parents, and the reverence of submission to their correction when they have been disobedient. Parents have not only authority, but a charge from God, to give their children correction when it is due, and he has commanded children to take such correction well: to be stubborn and discontented under due correction is a double fault; for the correction supposes there has been a fault already committed against the parent's commanding power, and superadds a further fault against his chastening power. Hence,
      • (2.) He recommends humble and submissive behavior towards our heavenly Father, when under his correction; and this he does by an argument from the less to the greater.
        • [1.] Our earthly fathers are but the fathers of our flesh, but God is the Father of our spirits. Our fathers on earth were instrumental in the production of our bodies, which are but flesh, a mean, mortal, vile thing, formed out of the dust of the earth, as the bodies of the beasts are; and yet as they are curiously wrought, and made parts of our persons, a proper tabernacle for the soul to dwell in and an organ for it to act by, we owe reverence and affection to those who were instrumental in their procreation; but then we must own much more to him who is the Father of our spirits. Our souls are not of a material substance, not of the most refined sort; they are not ex traduce-by traduction; to affirm it is bad philosophy, and worse divinity: they are the immediate offspring of God, who, after he had formed the body of man out of the earth, breathed into him a vital spirit, and so he became a living soul.
        • [2.] Our earthly parents chastened us for their own pleasure. Sometimes they did it to gratify their passion rather than to reform our manners. This is a weakness the fathers of our flesh are subject to, and this they should carefully watch against; for hereby they dishonour that parental authority which God has put upon them and very much hinder the efficacy of their chastisements. But the Father of our spirits never grieves willingly, nor afflicts the children of men, much less his own children. It is always for our profit; and the advantage he intends us thereby is no less than our being partakers of his holiness; it is to correct and cure those sinful disorders which make us unlike to God, and to improve and to increase those graces which are the image of God in us, that we may be and act more like our heavenly Father. God loves his children so that he would have them to be as like himself as can be, and for this end he chastises them when they need it.
        • [3.] The fathers of our flesh corrected us for a few days, in our state of childhood, when minors; and, though we were in that weak and peevish state, we owed them reverence, and when we came to maturity we loved and honoured them the more for it. Our whole life here is a state of childhood, minority, and imperfection, and therefore we must submit to the discipline of such a state; when we come to a state of perfection we shall be fully reconciled to all the measures of God's discipline over us now.
        • [4.] God's correction is no condemnation. His children may at first fear lest affliction should come upon that dreadful errand, and we cry, Do not condemn me, but show me wherefore thou contendest with me, Job 10:2. But this is so far from being the design of God to his own people that he therefore chastens them now that they may not be condemned with the world, 1 Co. 11:32. He does it to prevent the death and destruction of their souls, that they may live to God, and be like God, and for ever with him.
    • 5. The children of God, under their afflictions, ought not to judge of his dealings with them by present sense, but by reason, and faith, and experience: No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness, v. 11. Here observe,
      • (1.) The judgment of sense in this case-Afflictions are not grateful to the sense, but grievous; the flesh will feel them, and be grieved by them, and groan under them.
      • (2.) The judgment of faith, which corrects that of sense, and declares that a sanctified affliction produces the fruits of righteousness; these fruits are peaceable, and tend to the quieting and comforting of the soul. Affliction produces peace, by producing more righteousness; for the fruit of righteousness is peace. And if the pain of the body contribute thus to the peace of the mind, and short present affliction produce blessed fruits of a long continuance, they have no reason to fret or faint under it; but their great concern is that the chastening they are under may be endured by them with patience, and improved to a greater degree of holiness.
        • [1.] That their affliction may be endured with patience, which is the main drift of the apostle's discourse on this subject; and he again returns to exhort them that for the reason before mentioned they should lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees, v. 12. A burden of affliction is apt to make the Christian's hands hang down, and his knees grow feeble, to dispirit him and discourage him; but this he must strive against, and that for two reasons:-
          • First, That he may the better run his spiritual race and course. Faith, and patience, and holy courage and resolution, will make him walk more steadily, keep a straighter path, prevent wavering and wandering.
          • Secondly, That he may encourage and not dispirit others that are in the same way with him. There are many that are in the way to heaven who yet walk but weakly and lamely in it. Such are apt to discourage one another, and hinder one another; but it is their duty to take courage, and act by faith, and so help one another forward in the way to heaven.
        • [2.] That their affliction may be improved to a greater degree of holiness. Since this is God's design, it ought to be the design and concern of his children, that with renewed strength and patience they may follow peace with all men, and holiness, v. 14. If the children of God grow impatient under affliction, they will neither walk so quietly and peaceably towards men, nor so piously towards God, as they should do; but faith and patience will enable them to follow peace and holiness too, as a man follows his calling, constantly, diligently, and with pleasure. Observe,
          • First, It is the duty of Christians, even when in a suffering state, to follow peace with all men, yea, even with those who may be instrumental in their sufferings. This is a hard lesson, and a high attainment, but it is what Christ has called his people to. Sufferings are apt to sour the spirit and sharpen the passions; but the children of God must follow peace with all men.
          • Secondly, Peace and holiness are connected together; there can be no true peace without holiness. There may be prudence and discreet forbearance, and a show of friendship and good-will to all; but this true Christian peaceableness is never found separate from holiness. We must not, under pretence of living peaceably with all men, leave the ways of holiness, but cultivate peace in a way of holiness.
          • Thirdly, Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. The vision of God our Saviour in heaven is reserved as the reward of holiness, and the stress of our salvation is laid upon our holiness, though a placid peaceable disposition contributes much to our meetness for heaven.
    • 6. Where afflictions and sufferings for the sake of Christ are not considered by men as the chastisement of their heavenly Father, and improved as such, they will be a dangerous snare and temptation to apostasy, which every Christian should most carefully watch against (v. 15, 16): Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God, etc.
      • (1.) Here the apostle enters a serious caveat against apostasy, and backs it with an awful example.
        • [1.] He enters a serious caveat against apostasy, v. 15. Here you may observe,
          • First, The nature of apostasy: it is failing of the grace of God; it is to become bankrupts in religion, for want of a good foundation, and suitable care and diligence; it is failing of the grace of God, coming short of a principle of true grace in the soul, notwithstanding the means of grace and a profession of religion, and so coming short of the love and favour of God here and hereafter.
          • Secondly, The consequences of apostasy: where persons fail of having the true grace of God, a root of bitterness will spring up, corruption will prevail and break forth. A root of bitterness, a bitter root, producing bitter fruits to themselves and others. It produces to themselves corrupt principles, which lead to apostasy and are greatly strengthened and radicated by apostasy-damnable errors (to the corrupting of the doctrine and worship of the Christian church) and corrupt practices. Apostates generally grow worse and worse, and fall into the grossest wickedness, which usually ends either in downright atheism or in despair. It also produces bitter fruits to others, to the churches to which these men belonged; by their corrupt principles and practices many are troubled, the peace of the church is broken, the peace of men's minds is disturbed, and many are defiled, tainted with those bad principles, and drawn into defiling practices; so that the churches suffer both in their purity and peace. But the apostates themselves will be the greatest sufferers at last.
        • [2.] The apostle backs the caution with an awful example, and that is, that of Esau, who though born within the pale of the church, and having the birthright as the eldest son, and so entitled to the privilege of being prophet, priest, and king, in his family, was so profane as to despise these sacred privileges, and to sell his birthright for a morsel of meat. Where observe,
          • First, Esau's sin. He profanely despised and sold the birthright, and all the advantages attending it. So do apostates, who to avoid persecution, and enjoy sensual ease and pleasure, though they bore the character of the children of God, and had a visible right to the blessing and inheritance, give up all pretensions thereto.
          • Secondly, Esau's punishment, which was suitable to his sin. His conscience was convinced of his sin and folly, when it was too late: He would afterwards have inherited the blessing, etc. His punishment lay in two things:
            • 1. He was condemned by his own conscience; he now saw that the blessing he had made so light of was worth the having, worth the seeking, though with much carefulness and many tears.
            • 2. He was rejected of God: He found no place of repentance in God or in his father; the blessing was given to another, even to him to whom he sold it for a mess of pottage. Esau, in his great wickedness, had made the bargain, and God in his righteous judgment, ratified and confirmed it, and would not suffer Isaac to reverse it.
      • (2.) We may hence learn,
        • [1.] That apostasy from Christ is the fruit of preferring the gratification of the flesh to the blessing of God and the heavenly inheritance.
        • [2.] Sinners will not always have such mean thoughts of the divine blessing and inheritance as now they have. The time is coming when they will think no pains too great, no cares no tears too much, to obtain the lost blessing.
        • [3.] When the day of grace is over (as sometimes it may be in this life), they will find no place for repentance: they cannot repent aright of their sin; and God will not repent of the sentence he has passed upon them for their sin. And therefore, as the design of all, Christians should never give up their title, and hope of their Father's blessing and inheritance, and expose themselves to his irrevocable wrath and curse, by deserting their holy religion, to avoid suffering, which, though this may be persecution as far as wicked men are concerned in it, is only a rod of correction and chastisement in the hand of their heavenly Father, to bring them near to himself in conformity and communion. This is the force of the apostle's arguing from the nature of the sufferings of the people of God even when they suffer for righteousness' sake; and the reasoning is very strong.

Hbr 12:18-29

Here the apostle goes on to engage the professing Hebrews to perseverance in their Christian course and conflict, and not to relapse again into Judaism. This he does by showing them how much the state of the gospel church differs from that of the Jewish church, and how much it resembles the state of the church in heaven, and on both accounts demands and deserves our diligence, patience, and perseverance in Christianity.

  • I. He shows how much the gospel church differs from the Jewish church, and how much it excels. And here we have a very particular description of the state of the church under the Mosaic dispensation, v. 18-21.
    • 1. It was a gross sensible state. Mount Sinai, on which that church-state was constituted, was a mount that might be touched (v. 18), a gross palpable place; so was the dispensation. It was very much external and earthly, and so more heavy. The state of the gospel church on mount Zion is more spiritual, rational, and easy.
    • 2. It was a dark dispensation. Upon that mount there were blackness and darkness, and that church-state was covered with dark shadows and types: the gospel state is much more clear and bright.
    • 3. It was a dreadful and terrible dispensation; the Jews could not bear the terror of it. The thunder and the lightning, the trumpet sounding, the voice of God himself speaking to them, struck them with such dread that they entreated that the word might not be so spoken to them any more, v. 19. Yea, Moses himself said, I exceedingly fear and quake. The best of men on earth are not able to converse immediately with God and his holy angels. The gospel state is mild, and kind, and condescending, suited to our weak frame.
    • 4. It was a limited dispensation; all might not approach to that mount, but only Moses and Aaron. Under the gospel we have all access with boldness to God.
    • 5. It was a very dangerous dispensation. The mount burned with fire, and whatever man or beast touched the mount must be stoned, or thrust through with a dart, v. 20. It is true, it will be always dangerous for presumptuous and brutish sinners to draw night to God; but it is not immediate and certain death, as here it was. This was the state of the Jewish church, fitted to awe a stubborn and hard-hearted people, to set forth the strict and tremendous justice of God, to wean the people of God from that dispensation, and induce them more readily to embrace the sweet and gentle economy of the gospel church, and adhere to it.
  • II. He shows how much the gospel church represents the church triumphant in heaven, what communication there is between the one and the other. The gospel church is called mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, which is free, in opposition to mount Sinai, which tendeth to bondage, Gal. 4:24. This was the hill on which God set his king the Messiah. Now, in coming to mount Zion, believers come into heavenly places, and into a heavenly society.
    • 1. Into heavenly places.
      • (1.) Unto the city of the living God. God has taken up his gracious residence in the gospel church, which on that account is an emblem of heaven. There his people may find him ruling, guiding, sanctifying, and comforting them; there he speaks to them by the gospel ministry; there they speak to him by prayer, and he hears them; there he trains them up for heaven, and gives them the earnest of their inheritance.
      • (2.) To the heavenly Jerusalem as born and bred there, as free denizens there. Here believers have clearer views of heaven, plainer evidences for heaven, and a greater meetness and more heavenly temper of soul.
    • 2. To a heavenly society.
      • (1.) To an innumerable company of angels, who are of the same family with the saints, under the same head, and in a great measure employed in the same work, ministering to believers for their good, keeping them in all their ways, and pitching their tents about them. These for number are innumerable, and for order and union are a company, and a glorious one. And those who by faith are joined to the gospel church are joined to the angels, and shall at length be like them, and equal with them.
      • (2.) To the general assembly and church of the first-born, that are written in heaven, that is, to the universal church, however dispersed. By faith we come to them, have communion with them in the same head, by the same Spirit, and in the same blessed hope, and walk in the same way of holiness, grappling with the same spiritual enemies, and hasting to the same rest, victory, and glorious triumph. Here will be the general assembly of the first-born, the saints of former and earlier times, who saw the promises of the gospel state, but received them not, as well as those who first received them under the gospel, and were regenerated thereby, and so were the first-born, and the first-fruits of the gospel church; and thereby, as the first-born, advanced to greater honours and privileges than the rest of the world. Indeed all the children of God are heirs, and every one has the privileges of the first-born. The names of these are written in heaven, in the records of the church here: they have a name in God's house, are written among the living in Jerusalem; they have a good repute for their faith and fidelity, and are enrolled in the Lamb's book of life, as citizens are enrolled in the livery-books.
      • (3.) To God the Judge of all, that great God who will judge both Jew and Gentile according to the law they are under: believers come to him now by faith, make supplication to their Judge, and receive a sentence of absolution in the gospel, and in the court of their consciences now, by which they know they shall be justified hereafter.
      • (4.) To the spirits of just men made perfect; to the best sort of men, the righteous, who are more excellent than their neighbours; to the best part of just men, their spirits, and to these in their best state, made perfect. Believers have union with departed saints in one and the same head and Spirit, and a title to the same inheritance, of which those on earth are heirs, those in heaven possessors.
      • (5.) To Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. This is none of the least of many encouragements there are to perseverance in the gospel state, since it is a state of communion with Christ the Mediator of the new covenant, and of communication of his blood, that speaketh better things than the blood of Abel.
        • [1.] The gospel covenant is the new covenant, distinct from the covenant of works; and it is now under a new dispensation, distinct from that of the Old Testament.
        • [2.] Christ is the Mediator of this new covenant; he is the middle person that goes between both parties, God and man, to bring them together in this covenant, to keep them together notwithstanding the sins of the people and God's displeasure against them for sin, to offer up our prayers to God, and to bring down the favours of God to us, to plead with God for us and to plead with us for God, and at length to bring God and his people together in heaven, and to be a Mediator of fruition between them for ever, they beholding and enjoying God in Christ and God beholding and blessing them in Christ.
        • [3.] This covenant is ratified by the blood of Christ sprinkled upon our consciences, as the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled upon the altar and the sacrifice. This blood of Christ pacifies God and purifies the consciences of men.
        • [4.] This is speaking blood, and it speaks better things than that of Abel.
          • First, It speaks to God in behalf of sinners; it pleads not for vengeance, as the blood of Abel did on him who shed it, but for mercy.
          • Secondly, To sinners, in the name of God. It speaks pardon to their sins, peace to their souls; and bespeaks their strictest obedience and highest love and thankfulness.
  • III. The apostle, having thus enlarged upon the argument to perseverance taken from the heavenly nature of the gospel church state, closes the chapter by improving the argument in a manner suitable to the weight of it (v. 25, etc.): See then that you refuse not him that speaketh-that speaketh by his blood; and not only speaketh after another manner than the blood of Abel spoke from the ground, but than God spoke by the angels, and by Moses spoke on mount Sinai; then he spoke on earth, now he speaks from heaven. Here observe,
    • 1. When God speaks to men in the most excellent manner he justly expects from them the most strict attention and regard. Now it is in the gospel that God speaks to men in the most excellent manner. For,
      • (1.) He now speaks from a higher and more glorious seat and throne, not from mount Sinai, which was on this earth, but from heaven.
      • (2.) He speaks now more immediately by his inspired word and by his Spirit, which are his witnesses. He speaks not now any new thing to men, but by his Spirit speaks the same word home to the conscience.
      • (3.) He speaks now more powerfully and effectually. Then indeed his voice shook the earth, but now, by introducing the gospel state, he hath shaken not only the earth, but the heavens,-not only shaken the hills and mountains, or the spirits of men, or the civil state of the land of Canaan, to make room for his people,-not only shaken the world, as he then did, but he hath shaken the church, that is, the Jewish nation, and shaken them in their church-state, which was in Old-Testament times a heaven upon earth; this their heavenly spiritual state he hath now shaken. It is by the gospel from heaven that God shook to pieces the civil and ecclesiastical state of the Jewish nation, and introduced a new state of the church, that cannot be removed, shall never be changed for any other on earth, but shall remain till it be made perfect in heaven.
    • 2. When God speaks to men in the most excellent manner, the guilt of those who refuse him is the greater, and their punishment will be more unavoidable and intolerable; there is no escaping, no bearing it, v. 25. The different manner of God's dealing with men under the gospel, in a way of grace, assures us that he will deal with the despisers of the gospel after a different manner than he does with other men, in a way of judgment. The glory of the gospel, which should greatly recommend it to our regard, appears in these three things:-
      • (1.) It was by the sound of the gospel trumpet that the former dispensation and state of the church of God were shaken and removed; and shall we despise that voice of God that pulled down a church and state of so long standing and of God's own building?
      • (2.) It was by the sound of the gospel trumpet that a new kingdom was erected for God in the world, which can never be so shaken as to be removed. This was a change made once for all; no other change shall take place till time shall be no more. We have now received a kingdom that cannot be moved, shall never be removed, never give way to any new dispensation. The canon of scripture is now perfected, the Spirit of prophecy has ceased, the mystery of God is finished, he has put his last hand to it. The gospel church may be made more large, more prosperous more purified from contracted pollution, but it shall never be altered for another dispensation; those who perish under the gospel perish without remedy. And hence the apostle justly concludes,
        • [1.] How necessary it is for us to obtain grace from God, to serve him acceptably: if we be not accepted of God under this dispensation, we shall never be accepted at all; and we lose all our labour in religion if we be not accepted of God.
        • [2.] We cannot worship God acceptably, unless we worship him with godly reverence and fear. As faith, so holy fear, is necessary to acceptable worship.
        • [3.] It is only the grace of God that enables us to worship God in a right manner: nature cannot come up to it; it can produce neither that precious faith nor that holy fear that is necessary to acceptable worship.
        • [4.] God is the same just and righteous God under the gospel that he appeared to be under the law. Though he be our God in Christ, and now deals with us in a more kind and gracious way, yet he is in himself a consuming fire; that is, a God of strict justice, who will avenge himself on all the despisers of his grace, and upon all apostates. Under the gospel, the justice of God is displayed in a more awful manner, though not in so sensible a manner as under the law; for here we behold divine justice seizing upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and making him a propitiatory sacrifice, his soul and body an offering for sin, which is a display of justice far beyond what was seen and heard on mount Sinai when the law was given.