Heb. 12:1-7 - BibleRef
CONTEXT: The previous chapter explained the victories of some of the Old Testament's greatest heroes, and likewise explained their sufferings and persecution. Chapter 12 uses those examples as a ''cloud of witnesses'' to prove that God does not abandon us when we suffer. In many cases, He uses those experiences to ''train'' us, as if we were athletes, to make us stronger. In other cases, it's the same kind of discipline that a child receives from a loving father. Unlike the old covenant, which rightly inspired fear and dread, the new covenant offers us peace. As with any other matter of truth or falsehood, we should cling to what's true, so that we can be part of ''a kingdom that cannot be shaken.'' Hebrews 11:32-12:2 is one of Scripture's most stirring and inspirational passages. The theme of earlier verses was Old Testament heroes who exemplified faith, defined as a forward-looking trust in God. The emphasis of these examples moved from general faith, to faith in the face of hard choices, to faith resulting in victory. Here, the writer includes all of these, in a rapid-fire list of people who demonstrated the power of true, godly faith. As a letter delivered to persecuted Jewish Christians, these examples are meant to be encouraging and inspiring, as well as convicting. God waited to deliver the ultimate fulfillment of His promises so that we-those who are alive now-would have an opportunity to be saved. Given that privilege, Christians ought to strive to endure, and to hold fast, living out that same godly faith. Hebrews 12:3-17 builds from a description of heroes of the faith, culminating in Jesus Christ. Those who came before were loved by God and honored by God, and yet they suffered hardships in this world. In this passage, the writer makes it clear that suffering is often God's way of building us up and training us, not necessarily a sign of His displeasure. Christians who respond to trials by seeking God, in faith, can avoid the fate of less-faithful men, like Esau
v. 1: Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let's rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let's run with endurance the race that is set before us, - Chapter and verse divisions were not part of the original written texts of the Bible. Vv. 1-2 of chap. 12 flow naturally from the end of chap. 11, providing a direct application of the points made in that passage.
• Previously, the writer of Hebrews listed dramatic examples of God's use of faith. This included references to personal examples of faith, such as Abraham (Hebrews 11:17-19), as well as some of the amazing feats which Old Testament believers were able to achieve (Hebrews 11:30-35). And yet, this discussion also included mention of the hardships faced by these faithful ones (Hebrews 11:35-38). Amazingly, God's love for us-those who are still able to hear and respond to the gospel today-is the reason He has waited to fully deliver His ultimate victory over sin and suffering (Hebrews 11:39-40).
• This is why this verse begins with the appropriate word "therefore." All of the prior reasoning, including chapter 10's warning about falling away, the definition of godly faith, the catalog of heroes, the list of victories, the reminder of suffering, and the encouragement of God's love, has led to this point: an application of the truth. What should we do with this awesome information?
• The writer's answer is deceptively simple, and easy to misunderstand when this verse is taken out of context. The proper response of a Christian, given all of the "witnesses" to godly faith, and their success despite their hardships, and in light of God's loving patience, is to purposefully shed our sins and selfishness and "hold fast" as we strive to fulfill the plans God has in store for us. All we know of God's former work should inspire us to complete, dedicated devotion to His will.
• As the next verse will remind us, the ultimate example of this is Christ Himself. Not only did Jesus exemplify how we ought to live our lives (Hebrews 2:10-11), He did so by resisting all of the temptations we face (Hebrews 4:15), and with a firm understanding that His suffering was part of God's plan to "work together for good" everything for His glory and our benefit (Romans 8:28; Philippians 2:8-11).
v. 2: looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. - As with other segments of the book of Hebrews, this verse is often quoted out of context, causing it to lose much of its impact. Recognizing how this verse caps off a crucial passage in the book of Hebrews is key to applying it in the way God intended.
• The end of chapter 11 rolled many different examples together. The writer mentioned many "heroes" of the faith, as well as their accomplishments. This was in the context of explaining how God honors and works through true, godly faith-which is a trust sufficient to produce obedience, despite our doubts and fears (Hebrews 11:1-3). The writer also mentioned how these faithful ones endured hardships during their earthly lives, and even now are waiting to see God completely fulfill His promises (Hebrews 11:35-39). That delay is for our sake-so that those of us hearing the gospel now will have an opportunity for that same reward (Hebrews 11:40).
• The prior verse gave the logical application of this knowledge. With all we have been given as proof-"so great a cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1)-we ought to make every effort to "hold fast" (Hebrews 3:6; 10:23), setting aside sin and selfishness as we pursue whatever path God has placed in front of us. This is the essence of godly faith: to trust God with our future, despite how hard it might be in the present (Philippians 4:12-13).
• Here, we see how Jesus again serves as the ultimate example of this. Christ also suffered hardship and persecution (Philippians 2:8-11), as well as temptation (Hebrews 4:15), but never wavered in His resolve to do the will of God the Father (Hebrews 5:8). Christ's entire ministry and the superiority of the new covenant (Hebrews 10:12-14) are grounded in His example, which we should strive to follow (Hebrews 2:10-11). His willingness to endure those trials came from an understanding that God could, and would, "work together for good" all of those things (Romans 8:28). The end goal of Jesus' obedience was to establish the purpose we should be striving for: the "city with foundations" (Hebrews 11:10), our ultimate victory and reward in God (Hebrews 11:13-16; Revelation 21:1-14).
v. 3: For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - The prior verse mentioned Jesus, and His willingness to endure suffering for the sake of future joy. In particular, Jesus' attitude towards suffering is important. The fact of His persecution is, of course, meaningful. However, as used here, the more crucial point is that Jesus saw those hardships as part of God's plan, and a plan for Jesus' own benefit! Here, the writer emphasizes that we should take the same approach when faced with trials of our own. Jesus endured terrible hardships at the hands of His enemies (Hebrews 2:10; Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 27:26). Even though Jesus was God incarnate (Hebrews 1:3), He was still subjected to "hostility" and struggle. As this passage continues, the writer will point out that the existence of trials in this life is not evidence that God despises us. Jesus lived the only perfectly sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), and still experienced pain and suffering. When we face those challenges in our lives, we should not see it as a sign that God has abandoned us.
v. 4: You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; - Earlier verses referred to the extreme persecution suffered by heroes of the Christian faith. Near the end of chapter 11, the writer gave a long list of hardships, including torture, imprisonment, and horrific death. This list culminated in the example of Jesus (Hebrews 12:2-3). Even though He was sinless (Hebrews 4:15), and God incarnate (Hebrews 1:3), Jesus experienced pain and suffering, including an agonizing death (Hebrews 2:10). The point being made in this passage, particularly in future verses, is that worldly suffering is not a sign of God's displeasure. Rather, God uses those hardships to "train" us to be more dependent on Him, and more like Him.
• Speaking to this particular audience, the writer indicates that they-personally-have not yet been forced to shed blood for the sake of their faith. The writer of Hebrews might mean that these believers have not been martyred for professing Christ. He might also mean that their persecution, to that point, was not as extreme as the examples given for those who came before, including Jesus. This point is meant to connect two ideas: one from the prior verse and one stated in the next verse.
• First of all, Jesus endured suffering and hardship-and He was able to do this without sin (1 Peter 2:22) and with an attitude that trusted in God (Hebrews 12:2). Secondly, Scripture indicates that God "trains" those He loves in order to strengthen them; these kinds of hardships don't mean that God hates us. On the contrary, the fact that God gives us opportunity to strengthen faith through trials is a sign of His love and concern for us.
v. 5: and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, 'MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE PUNISHED BY HIM; - In this passage, the writer of Hebrews is pointing out that worldly persecution is not a sign that God has abandoned us. Rather, God uses earthly struggles to mold us. Earlier examples referred to heroes of the faith, most of all Jesus, who endured suffering at the hands of others and overcame it through their faith in God (Hebrews 12:1-3). This type of "discipline," then, is not a punishment. It's more like training-an exercise meant to increase our faith and our dependence on Him.
• Here, the writer shows that this idea is not brand new. The concept that a loving father would "discipline" a child is one already found in Scripture. The passage cited here, and in verse 6, is Proverbs 3:11-12. There, we learn that a good father purposefully directs the growth of his children. He corrects them when they stray, but he also trains them in a certain path (Proverbs 22:6). Combined with references to Jesus, the writer is saying that earthly hardship is actually proof that God loves us and is working in our spirits to prepare us for His purposes (Ephesians 6:4).
v. 6: FOR WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE PUNISHES EVERY SON WHOM HE ACCEPTS.' -This verse closes out a quotation from Proverbs 3:11-12. That passage indicates that a loving father-especially God-takes an active role in the growth of a child (Ephesians 6:4). God purposefully corrects us when we make mistakes, and places us in situations that we can use for spiritual development. As stated in earlier verses, even victorious heroes of the faith were subject to earthly suffering. The greatest example of all was Jesus, who suffered terribly despite being sinless (Hebrews 12:3). And yet, Jesus saw His hardships as part of God's good plan (Hebrews 12:2).
• The point being made is that Christians should not respond to persecution or hardships with bitterness or despair. This is especially true if and when our experiences are not as extreme as those others have endured. On the contrary, we should see God's discipline-His "training"-as a sign that He is engaged in our lives and has a plan and purpose for us to fulfill.
v. 7: It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? - Prior verses mentioned how great heroes of the faith suffered terrible hardships (Hebrews 11:35-38), along with their victories (Hebrews 11:33-35). The greatest example of these was Jesus, who was entirely sinless (Hebrews 4:15) and yet endured hatred and violence (Hebrews 12:3). The writer has been careful to point out that hardship is not a sign of God's abandonment. On the contrary, this is evidence that God is working to "train" us to be more like Him. Jesus was able to see His suffering as part of God's plan for future joy (Hebrews 12:2). The Old Testament itself had already pointed out that a truly loving father-like God-uses "discipline" for a child; this is not a sign of hate, but of love. The specific quote from the prior verses comes from Proverbs 3:11-12.
• Scripture makes it clear that good parents are those who actively, purposefully seek to guide their children. This often involves discipline, or other related terms seen in the Bible, such as reproof, chastisement, rebuke, or training. Not all of these involve punishment for some sin or mistake. In many cases, they are simply moments where we are challenged in order to provoke spiritual growth. An athlete needs to "struggle" in order to build up his ability. In the same way, our spiritual lives are able to grow when we understand hardships as a sign of God's guidance and discipline.
Heb. 12:1-7 - EXEGESIS (Richison)
v. 1: Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, - Now we come to the supreme example of faith-our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the prime example of persistence by faith. Chapter 12 continues the thought of endurance by faith begun in chapter 11. The converted Jews to whom God wrote Hebrews were tempted to relapse back into the Old Testament economy. Their challenge was to continue under the New Covenant by faith. This would take the effort of a marathon runner in a grueling race.
Therefore - The "therefore" here is a marker of result from the heroes of faith in chapter 11.
we also [emphatic] - The two words "we also" are emphatic in the Greek. New Testament believers as well walk by faith.
since we are surrounded - All the heroes of faith from chapter 11 surround the readers of Hebrews with great testimonies. They testify to the efficacy of faith in God. They were no fickle followers of God.
by so great a cloud of witnesses [testifiers], - The "cloud" here is the entire group of those who walked by faith in chapter 11. A "cloud" represents a massive body of people. They overcame obstacles by faith. By faith they persisted by faith in the face of great challenges. They faced the Red Sea and the walls of Jericho, conquered Canaan, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fire of a furnace, and many other challenges.
let us lay aside [throw off] - An athlete must prepare for his or her contest with rigor. This was true of Greek athletes in the Isthmian games. The words "lay aside" mean to take off a garment (Ac 7:58). Metaphorically it means to put away a hindrance or sin (Ro 13:12; Eph 4:22, 25; Co 3:8-9). The Christian also is to set aside anything that hinders his or her walk with God. Believers are to do it just like the OT saints did it-by faith.
every weight [emphatic] - It is important to distinguish between a weight and a sin. A "weight" is something superfluous to a purpose. It is simply an encumbrance but not necessarily evil. It is a handicap that keeps us from reaching our goal. A "weight" then is not a sin necessarily but a hindrance to a walk of faith. It is anything that retards our walk.
PRINCIPLE: The Christian is to lay aside not only sinful things but any encumbrance that would hinder our walk with the Lord.
APPLICATION: The Christian runner rids himself or herself of anything that hinders the Christian life. Nothing should retard the race. Nothing should be an encumbrance in the Christian race. We are to lay aside not only a sin but anything that would impede a walk by faith. A weight may not be a sin but something that keeps us from running a successful race. It is anything, maybe even something good in itself, that keeps us from winning the spiritual life. It is anything that discourages us from living the life that we should. There is nothing wrong with clothing, but too much clothing can hinder a person in a footrace. It is not a good idea to put on a fur coat if a person wants to win either a sprint or a distance run. Harmless and innocent things may keep us from that walk of faith. We should set aside anything that hinders our walk by faith. Legitimate activities could weigh us down. Anything that interferes with Bible study or prayer would be a hindrance. We often feed on spiritual junk food and not the Word of God. There are some things more important than family, career, a secure retirement, or making money. Nothing should interfere with our spiritual growth or worship. There are many things we must set aside if we are to win the Christian race of walking by faith.
and the sin - The definite article "the" before "sin" indicates a particular sin. Each of us has a specific sin or sins to which we are vulnerable. It is a sin we frequently commit; it is a special vulnerability to a distinct sin.
which so easily ensnares us, - The word "ensnares" means to ambush or encircle. It also carries the idea of controlling tightly. The idea is that it winds around the body and binds movement. Some sins easily entangle us in their web. The web will tightly control the believer binding him to that sin. Rival attractions will divert the believer's race from what it could achieve.
PRINCIPLE: There are distinct sins to which every Christian is vulnerable.
APPLICATION: Every Christian is subject to certain temptations. He is to be especially on guard against these particular sins. It would be wise to memorize Scripture that pertains to these sins and how to overcome them.
and let us run - We "run" by throwing off hindrances. Running is the positive action and is set in contrast to the negative "lay aside." No athlete can win without determination.
with endurance [perseverance] - Running a strong race takes active endurance that involves struggle, not passive patience (He 10:36; 11:3; Php 1:30; Col 2:1; 1 Th 2:2; 1 Ti 6:12; 2 Ti 4;7). This is steady determination to persist in Christian living. That is, we keep going no matter what opposition we may face. Our passage is not a call for a sprint but for a distance run. Staying power is essential to finish our life well. Every Christian faces difficulties, but he must press on regardless of the challenges he may face.
the race [agony] - God has marked out a race for every believer. The word "race" carries the idea of an athletic contest, and here the idea refers to a footrace. The idea is of a contest, speaking metaphorically of the Greek games. In biblical times, races were no more than three miles. The Christian race is not a passive jog but a grueling process. That is why it takes perseverance to live it. The word "race" means agony.
that is set before us - The words "set before" mean that God marks out the racecourse before us. Every Christian is to run the particular race that God has laid out for him or her. God has a plan or program for every believer. God chooses the tests for us; we do not have the right to make that choice.
PRINCIPLE: Every Christian encounters stern tests of endurance.
APPLICATION: A person who runs a hundred-yard dash does not need endurance; however, those who run a marathon need patience. It is not enough to run well for a short distance in a marathon. It is crucial to run the correct path, mileage, and finish line. The Christian runs the path "set before us." There will be a temptation to quit due to the pain, but we must keep in mind the constancy of purpose. In the case of the Christian life, none of us knows the length of the course or the obstacles ahead. There is one thing we can know-our Lord ran the race ahead of us by endurance that came from His faith in the Father's plan. Christians are not to think of their pain, fatigue, problems, the possibility of failure, or how other people perceive their race.
v. 2: fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. - Although chapter 11 set forth a long list of those who walked by faith, Jesus is the ultimate example.
fixing our eyes on Jesus - The idea of "fixing" is focused concentration on something. It excludes anything that might distract us from our goal. Jesus is the supreme model for endurance. He is the goal, the One on whom we are to fix our eyes. The Greek words for "fixing" imply definite looking away from anything other than Jesus as our primary goal. An athlete who takes her eye off the goal will not gain victory. The point is that when a believer takes his eyes off the target, then he goes off course. This slows his walk with the Lord. "Jesus" is the name for our Lord's humanity. We are to look at the human example Jesus set for us. The human Jesus experienced trials and adversity that we encounter.
the author [captain, pioneer] - "Author" suggests that Jesus pioneered how Christians should exercise their faith persistently. He is the Leader of our faith. He is the ultimate Pioneer on how to walk by faith (He 2:10). He is the Pathfinder or Trailblazer of walking by faith.
and finisher of our faith - "finisher" means that Jesus arrived at the destiny of successfully walking by faith. He walked the path of faith from the beginning to the end. Jesus manifested faith in its fullest form. His life was the perfect realization of walking by faith. Jesus finished successfully His course of living by faith.
Faith finds its perfect representation in Him. Jesus finished well. He is the perfecter of our faith, who brings it to a triumphant completion. He is the supreme model of our faith. He is our pre-eminent example of how to live by faith. Jesus carried faith to its conclusion. He finished His life of faith through the crucifixion, resurrection, and exaltation. He did everything necessary to pay for our sin. Our experiences may be wonderful, but only Jesus could bring to a conclusion what was essential for our salvation.
PRINCIPLE: Jesus set the example for the entire range of experiences we encounter.
APPLICATION: There is one absolute condition of victory-look to Jesus. The heroes of chapter 11 are examples of those who walk by faith, but Jesus is the one absolute example to whom we look. Jesus set the pace of how we should conduct our walk of faith. He is the supreme example of walking by faith.
who for [because of] the joy that was set before Him - The "joy" here was the prospective joy that Jesus would have at the throne of God when He finished His suffering and exaltation. It was the joy of knowing what His death would accomplish. Because Jesus put the value of redeeming men above everything else, He endured the cross.
endured the cross - How Jesus endured the cross is a paradigm for believers. The cross was a gruesome and painful means of death.
despising the shame - Jesus disdained the shame of the cross by willingly accepting the ignominy of public crucifixion. Nothing deterred Him from the goal of paying for the sins of mankind. Later, Hebrews says that Christians are to bear this shame (He 13:12-13). Jesus not only endured physical pain and torture but the ignominy and disgrace of dying a criminal's death.
and has sat down - Jesus sat down permanently after paying the price for our sin (perfect tense). The Father permanently enthroned and exalted Him forever.
at the right hand of the throne of God - The book of Hebrews refers to Psalm 110:1 many times, referring to Jesus' sitting at the right hand of God. The cross is the path to the throne (He 1:3; 8:1).
PRINCIPLE: The perfect pattern for walking by faith is Jesus.
APPLICATION: Jesus' joy was in His sacrifice for others by His redemption of those who believe in Him. There is present joy for the Christian in taking God's promises by faith. We should do what we do in the light of Jesus having done what He did. He pressed on through trial to His goal. Every believer needs to press toward maturity in Christ. When we compare our suffering for His sake with His suffering for us, there is a stark contrast. He suffered so much more on our behalf. He did not spare His life when He thought of us.
v. 3: For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Jesus endured suffering with tenacity. Christians need to "consider" this as well.
For - The word "for" justifies the argument of "looking unto Jesus." It gives the grounds for the exhortation in the first two verses.
consider [reflect upon] Him - The word "consider" is a command (aorist tense, imperative mood). Christians are to carefully weigh how Christ suffered during His lifetime. We are to take into consideration His supreme example. The word itself means to carefully assess something. The believer is to, by all means, consider how Jesus handled trial in His life. There is a need for serious consideration and careful weighing of how Jesus lived His life.
who endured - Jesus was a permanent example of how we should suffer. Each of the first three verses repeats the word "endured." His endurance has abiding significance (perfect tense).
such hostility from sinners against Himself - This phrase focuses on the hostility of people toward Jesus throughout His life and at the crucifixion. He faced great opposition during His entire lifetime.
lest [purpose] you become weary - There is a tendency for Christians to give up and lose heart. They become weak in the Christian life. They do not have the strength or endurance to continue living the Christian life with a dynamic lifestyle because they let trial get to them.
and discouraged [disheartened] in your souls. - Discouragement defeats many believers. This defeat occurs in the soul. To lose heart is to experience defeat in the Christian life.
PRINCIPLE: Occupation with Christ is the cure for discouragement.
APPLICATION: Christians are to think about the implications of following Christ. They are to account for the ignominy and problems of what it means to walk by faith. We are to look at how Jesus handled these issues. If we compare what He went through with our problems, we would not be so discouraged. It will motivate us to courageous faith. It is essential to give the utmost care to how we live the Christian life. Above all, we are to reflect on how Jesus lived His life. We are to compare our life with His. None of us will suffer what Jesus suffered. We look to Him as the supreme model of faith for what we must endure. Christians should not give up before they cross the finish line. They need the faith that endures doing this.
v. 4: You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; - Some Christians overestimate their problems. They need to guard against this misconception. Hebrews 12:4-11 puts the readers' problems in perspective so that they can get a picture of what God is doing with them. God's disciplines are purposeful. Having urged the listeners of Hebrews to follow the example of Christ, Hebrews challenged them to "consider" the opposition He endured for sinners (He 12:3) in their problems they face. This will help them in times of discouragement. Our Lord's trials were greater than theirs.
You have not yet resisted to bloodshed - Christians have not withstood the enemy to the point where they shed blood like our Lord Jesus. There is a big contrast between what He went through and what they face. They suffered persecution but not to the ultimate extent. The Hebrew Christians had not paid the ultimate sacrifice in their walk with the Lord. Hebrews continues the idea of the Greek games in this verse. The word "resisted" means to stand against. The image comes from the boxing metaphor. Blows to the head bring forth blood. Blood flows when the body is punched with a vicious blow; the recipient must withstand the knocks from his opponent. This is a metaphor for a believer undergoing persecution by standing against the opponent.
striving against sin. - The word "striving" means to fight agonizingly against-there is a great clash involved in this struggle. The Christian life is a battle. Sin is something to resist. It is the adversary of the Christian. Sin will cause the believer to spare effort in following Christ. It will defeat Christian dynamics. There are casualties in the spiritual battle. Christ's striving against sin took Him to the cross; He did not give up.
PRINCIPLE: Resistance against sin is foundational to steadfast Christian living.
APPLICATION: No Christian should deem himself free from the body-blows in the fight against sin. If Jesus fought the battle to the end, why should a believer think he is exempt from suffering (He 5:8-9)?
v. 5: and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; - In verses 5-11, the stress is on how God uses suffering and adversity to strengthenthe spiritual life. There are four propositions in this section: (1) Do not despise God's discipline; (2) Do not be discouraged by God's discipline; (3) God's discipline of believers is proof of their salvation; and (4) God disciplines everyone He accepts as a son.
And - "And" connects verse 5 to verse 4.
you have forgotten [completely] the exhortation - Believers in Hebrews completely forgot the exhortation from Proverbs 3:11-12, which set forth the principle of divine discipline as evidence of God's love for us (v. 6). This is an exhortation from God Himself. God speaks through Scripture. The discipline of the Hebrew readers was not unprecedented or peculiar; it has been the experience of all believers for all time. It has always been God's method to correct the family of believers. The Greek tense of "forgotten" gives the implication that they put the exhortation from Proverbs out of their memory (perfect tense). The Hebrew Christians were in a state of rebellion against God's Word.
PRINCIPLE: Scripture is how we listen to God.
APPLICATION: To forget what God has done is a bane of many children of God (Deut 6:12; Ps 106:13,21). God's Word to our souls is a treasury we must store in our minds. Once we remove it from our memory, it does not affect our life.
Which speaks to [persuades] you as to sons: - The "which" is the following quotation from Proverbs 3:11-12. The word "speaks" is in a Greek tense that indicates that God continues to speak through Proverbs (present tense). The word "speaks" carries the idea of persuading or arguing with. God is in the process of discourse with the child of God. He wants to examine the life of the believer with the Christian himself.
PRINCIPLE: Sonship and divine discipline go together.
APPLICATION: Every believer must interpret his or her suffering from God in a proper manner. God wants to "discourse" with us about our problem/s. Discipline is evidence that the person is in the family of God. Correction of the Christian should not nurture doubt about whether he is a believer. God's plan trumps experience. Divine discipline is corrective, not judicial. The purposes of divine discipline are (1) prevention, (2) correction, and (3) spiritual growth. There is a difference between God's discipline and punishment. Jesus took all the punishment for our sins on the cross. God never allows for double jeopardy, whereby Jesus suffered for our sins and we also suffer for them. Jesus took the final payment for our sins. There is no further payment necessary on our part. However, as the believer grows in Christ, he needs correction in the course of life he takes. Divine discipline is corrective, not judicial. There is a vast distinction between divine punishment and divine discipline. Christians grow in their faith by divine discipline, not punishment.
5b: "My son, do not despise the chastening [discipline] of the Lord, - The word "despise" means to hold with little account, stubbornly resist authority. Some Christians regard God's discipline on their souls with little concern. For a believer to grow, it is essential to highly regard what God is doing in our lives. The process is exceedingly valuable for the person who wants to grow. The word "chastening" means discipline or training. It carries the idea of education with implications of (1) range of instruction, (2) guidance, (3) reproof, and (4) correction. God is interested in helping us make the correct choices.
PRINCIPLE: Disregard for God's Word is the cause of divine discipline.
APPLICATION: God has a serious problem when believers ignore His Word. If the rejection of His revelation to man persists, then He will act by divine discipline. This section of Hebrews 12 shows the Christian how to respond to discipline. Implacable reversionism away from God's Word is a difficult problem to break. It takes serious action on God's part to get the believer's attention. The purpose is not punishment but the restoration of the Christian to fellowship with God. When we lightly regard the Word of God-that is, God speaking to us-we often come under divine discipline. If we do not come to grips with the idea that we are under God's discipline, then we disregard God's voice to us (Job 6:24). We care more about the difficult problem than what God does with us. We can develop callousness in our souls if we continue in this attitude. God may have to soften our souls through pressure or duress in this case.
5c: Nor be discouraged [faint} - "Discouraged" is to faint or break down and become despondent. A bad attitude toward the circumstances of our lives leads to despair and defeat. For those who bear the name of Christ to allow themselves this indulgence indicates that the Christian life cannot deal with failure. The person who is not discouraged by God's discipline on his soul shows that he has not "despised" what God does.
PRINCIPLE: There is no place for a defeated and immobilized Christian in God's economy.
APPLICATION: Christians take courage in that their trials come from Fatherly discipline. The believer is not to allow God's discipline to defeat him. He is to bear God's work on his heart with endurance (He 12:7). There is no place for an immobilized Christian in God's economy. A discouraged person does not grasp the need and purpose for divine discipline. Reproof is necessary for God to get our attention. Discipline causes dissonance, and dissonance produces fundamental change. Resentment, on the other hand, will stifle the maturity process.
5d: When you are rebuked [reproved] by Him; - "Rebuked" carries the idea of severe discipline from God. The rebuke takes place in one's conscience. We do not disregard the value of rebuke but embrace it. We confess our fault and deal with it.
PRINCIPLE: God's discipline of the believer is not always from sin.
APPLICATION: The pain that the believer faces is not always due to sin. Christ suffered pain, but He endured it in a manner that honors God. Our Lord did not suffer because of sin; therefore, God allows Christians to suffer because of non-sinful causes. The purpose is the development of character and maturity of the believer. God has a purpose in any suffering we might face.
v. 6: FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES." - Verse 6 is a quotation from Proverbs 3:12.
For whom the Lord loves - The words "whom the Lord loves" are emphatic in the Greek (word order). It is from God's overruling love that He disciplines a Christian. God's love expresses itself in the protection and development of every Christian. Nothing escapes His care for His sons. He desires every believer to become mature in faith and his experience. God's discipline flows from His love for the believer; He never disciplines from anger or bitterness toward the believer. God's love both gives and withholds. The believer's trial magnifies His love for us. The devil is in the business of making us doubt God's love for us.
He chastens - God designs His chastening to correct the behavior of the believer. If the initial discipline does not change the pattern of the Christian, then God moves to more significant measures or severe discipline. Reversionism is something that God takes in hand. He will break the stubborn will. On the other hand, He accepts the one who turns back to Him in fellowship. It is a matter of love- "the Lord loves." The idea of chastening is literally to train a child (He 12:5, 7, 8, 11). It includes ideas such as nurture, instruction, discipline, and corrective discipline. Reproof corrects one's course of life. God cannot overlook our problems and sin; He must deal with them if He is to maintain His integrity.
And scourges every son - The idea of "scourges" is to flog with a whip. The metaphor is of severe discipline. There are times when we undergo great chastisement from God. "Every son" includes both the spiritual and non-spiritual, the mature and immature believers. No Christian is exempt from divine discipline. He will not neglect any son of His-"every son." He will not disregard the discipline of a single son.
whom He receives [accepts]" - "Whom He receives" modifies those God disciplines. This is an exclusive group. The word "receives" means accepts. God does not reject those He disciplines, but He "receives" or accepts them. Divine discipline upon the believer proves his sonship. A parent's responsibility is to make sure his children are trained properly. It is also God's responsibility to care for His sons (Ro 8:14-16).
PRINCIPLE: If the relationship is there, the concern is there.
APPLICATION: It is crucial to understand and apply God's love toward us. His is not maudlin or emotional love toward us, but a love that keeps our best interests in view (Lam 3:31-33). Everything that comes into our lives finds its source in His love. His love is unconditional and infinite. We should root and ground ourselves in the love of God for us (Eph 3:17). His love transcends any love by a husband, wife, or parent. An undisciplined son is an unloved son. God's discipline is non-punitive. His discipline has a positive purpose. He does it for both instruction and correction. Both are involved in the believer's edification. As discipline is essential in a physical father-son relationship within human families, so it is in the family of God.
v. 7: It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? - The Holy Spirit now gave His exposition of the quotation from Proverbs 3:11-12. His thrusts are three: (1) There is a necessity for discipline of the believer; (2) There is a proper response to discipline; AND (3) There are benefits to discipline.
It is for discipline that you endure - "Endure" here means perseverance. Its literal idea is to remain under. The literal Greek may be translated "it is for the purpose of discipline that you endure." The idea is that God's "chastening" is for the development and maturity of the child of God. If God did not introduce trial into the life of a believer, that would imply that He is indifferent toward the Christian. He would not function as a true Father. Believers are to remain under the chastening hand of God. If the believer endures divine discipline, then it shows (1) that God is dealing with a genuine believer, a "son," and (2) that God confirms His sovereign love toward him or her.
PRINCIPLE: The spirit by which we accept God's discipline will facilitate our maturity.
APPLICATION: The spirit whereby one receives divine discipline is crucial for growth. To ensure suffering with the right attitude is to realize that God has a proper motive in what He is doing with us. It is crucial to receive divine chastening with the proper attitude. The right attitude is to accept God's discipline on us as His sovereign way of helping us grow in Christ. His hand on us is for our "profit" (He 12:10). Whether we profit from God's work on us rests on our attitude of how we receive it (Prov 23:7). It is important not to "despise" what God is doing in our lives (He 12:5). We are to "endure chastening" by accepting God's love for us in our problem. This is the proper comportment for a son or daughter of God (He 12:5). We are to take the posture of Job (Job 1:21; 13:15). Faith brings God to the fore in any circumstance that we might face (Ps 27:13). God has four measures in dealing with the believer's sin: (1) The Christian can confess sin (1 Jn 1:9); (2) God can impose discipline measures (1 Co 11:30); (3) God may remove reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Co 3:15; 2 Co 5:10); and/or (3) Ultimately, God may take the life of the believer (1 Co 11:28-32); 1 Jn 5:17).
Verses 7 and 8 validate the believer's relationship with God.
God deals with you as with sons; - Proper filial responsibility of a parent is to discipline children. All of God's sons are subject to divine discipline. The phrase "as with sons" refers to believers as genuine members of the family of God. "Deals"-God's active involvement with believers by divine discipline is evidence of their salvation. Chastening proves we are genuine believers. God views Himself as our Father in our relationship with Him. This is the way He behaves Himself toward us. The Lord will deal with "sons" in a fair manner. God is true justice; He never bends truth to suit His anger. He always treats believers according to the standard of absolute righteousness. The thrust is that no Christian should be surprised by divine discipline (1 Pe 4:12-13).
for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? - In ordinary life, a father who does not discipline his son does not love him (Prov 3:11-12). Love expresses itself in discipline or care for the one loved.
PRINCIPLE: God's integrity demands that He disciplines those whom He loves.
APPLICATION: From God's viewpoint, there is a need for disciplining those He loves. If He did not discipline His children, He would show indifference to them. His absolute integrity demands that He remains true to Himself. It is important to realize that God deals with us from the viewpoint of His sons or daughters. He does not arbitrarily relate to us. Simple suffering is not in itself evidence of whether we are Christians. However, enduring duress with faith does show the reality of our relationship with God. Trial, hardship by divine discipline, demonstrate one's sonship in the family of God. God disciplines us not despite sonship but because of it.
Heb. 12:1-7 - T. CONSTABLE EXPOSITION
Demonstrating Necessary Endurance 12:1-13
OVERVIEW: In chapter Hebrews 10:22-25 there were three exhortations, respectively to Faith, Hope and Love. These are elaborated in turn: chapter 11 dealing with Faith; chapter 12 with Hope; chapter 13 with Love." In this fourth major section of the epistle, the writer concentrated on motivating his readers to persevere in their faith with steadfast endurance. He continued the idea that he introduced in Hebrews 10:35-39. Some writers do not acknowledge this connection in the flow of the writer's argument. They view chapter 11 as a revelation of what faith will inevitably do rather than what faith should do. [Note: E.g., John MacArthur, Faith Works, pp. 37-54.] Having introduced "faith" and "endurance" in Hebrews 10:39, the writer proceeded to develop these concepts further. He celebrated the character of faith in chapter 11 and then summoned the readers to endurance in Hebrews 12:1-13. The first of these sections is exposition and the second exhortation.
The characteristic vocabulary of this section relates to the vital issue of enduring disciplinary sufferings. Anticipating the subsequent development in Hebrews 12:1-13, the writer underscored the community's need for hypomone, 'endurance,' in Hebrews 10:36. That note is resumed in Hebrews 12:1, when the commitment required of the Christian life is reviewed under the metaphor of an athletic contest, and the key to victory is found in 'endurance.'" [Note: Lane, Hebrews 9-13, p. 313.]
The story of God's people includes a succession of examples of persistent, forward-looking faith. The story is not complete without us. We, in our turn, must submit to God's fatherly discipline and stand firm together in the faith." [Note: Ellingworth, p. 558.]
1. The example of Jesus 12:1-3
v. 1: Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, - The "cloud of witnesses" refers to the Old Covenant saints whom the writer just mentioned (ch. 11). They are "witnesses" not because they presently witness our actions, but because by their lives they bore witness to their faith in God. [Note: Bruce, The Epistle . . ., p. 346; Wiersbe, 2:322.] The description of them as a "cloud" is an interesting one since they are presently without resurrected bodies. They await the resurrection of their bodies at the Second Coming (Daniel 12:2). The writer's point was that we have many good examples of people who faithfully trusted God in the past. Nevertheless the word "witness" does also imply a spectator (cf. Hebrews 10:28; 1 Timothy 6:12).
▪ In view of this encouragement we should lay aside everything that impedes our running the Christian race successfully (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:24; 2 Timothy 4:7-8). Popular moral philosophers who spoke on the streets of every sizeable Hellenistic community in the first century commonly used an athletic contest as an illustration of life. [Note: Lane, Hebrews 9-13, p. 408.] "Encumbrances" are weights that may not be sins but nevertheless make perseverance difficult.
▪ Some one is recorded to have asked whether a certain thing would do a person harm, and the reply was given, 'No harm, if you do not wish to win.'" [Note: Thomas, p. 156.]
▪ We should also lay aside sin. "The sin" that the writer warned his readers against especially in Hebrews is unbelief, apostasy. In view of the immediately preceding context, it might refer to discouragement. However many different kinds of sin can trip us up, and we should avoid all sin for this reason. [Note: Guthrie, p. 249.]
▪ This might have reference to the love of wealth, attachment to the world, preoccupation with earthly interests, or self-importance." [Note: Lane, Hebrews 9-13, p. 409.]
▪ The reason for this self-discipline is so we can keep on running the Christian race effectively. Here the writer
returned to the thought of Hebrews 10:28: "You have need of endurance." He conceived of the Christian life
as an endurance race, a marathon, not a 50-yard dash.
▪ The real test of life is the steady, normal progress of the soul-'not paroxysms of effort but steady endurance.'" [Note: Thomas, p. 156. See Eugene H. Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.]
▪ It seems likely that here [in Hebrews 12:1-2], as in 1, 3 [i.e., Hebrews 1:3], the author intentionally used poetic language to highlight and emphasize the significance of his theme: Jesus Christ is 'better.' Moreover, the balance and rhythm of the language make the text more esthetically attractive and provide a high degree of emotive impact. Thus the interpretation of the discourse by the intrusion of poetic language was bound to carry considerable impact and appeal . . ."
▪ One writer argued that Hebrews 11:1 to Hebrews 12:2 is an encomium, a literary work in praise of someone or something, on Jesus. The 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.
v. 2: Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. . - As a runner keeps looking toward his or her goal, so we should keep looking to Jesus, not primarily to the other witnesses (Heb 12:1). When we take our eyes of faith off Jesus, we begin to sink, like Peter did (Matt 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 hupomone [endurance] as the immediate exercise of pistis [faith] (1036f.), as the great Believer, who shows us what true pistis means, from beginning to end, in its heroic course (ton prokeimenon hemin agona) [the race that is set before us]." [Note: Moffatt, p. 192.]
▪ He is our "author" (lit. file leader, captain, pioneer; Hebrews 2:10). It was by looking to Him in faith that we were saved. Jesus set the example of living by faith for us, one evidence of His faith being His prayers. Jesus perfected faith in the sense that He finished His course of living by faith successfully (cf. Hebrews 2:13).
▪ As the 'perfecter of faith' Jesus is the one in whom faith has reached its perfection." [Note: D. G. Peterson, An Examination of the Concept of 'Perfection' in the 'Epistle to the Hebrews'"
▪ He alone is the source of hope and help in their time of need. Looking to Him in faith and devotion is the central theological and practical message of Hebrews." [Note: Fanning, p. 415.]
▪ The joy of the prospect of His reward, namely, His victory over death, glorification, inheritance, and reign motivated Him, too (Hebrews 1:9; Hebrews 1:13-14; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12). This is the only occurrence of "cross" outside the Gospels and the Pauline Epistles, and its presence here stresses the shame associated with Jesus' crucifixion. What we look forward to is very similar to what Jesus anticipated. Such a prospect will help us endure suffering and despise the shame involved in living faithful to God before unbelieving critics.
v. 3: For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - 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 (as in Hebrews 6:6!), just as did Jesus' tormentors [cf. Hebrews 10:38-39]." [Note: Lane, Hebrews 9-13, pp. 416-17.]
2. The proper view of trials 12:4-11
v. 4: You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; - 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).
▪ The 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 and directing us. Suffering is evidence, not that God does not love us, but that he does." [Note: Morris, p. 136.]
vv. 5-7: and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; 6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES. 7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? " - We need to remember, too, that God allows us to experience some opposition to make us stronger in the faith (Deuteronomy 8:5; Proverbs 3:11-12; James 1). It is easy to become discouraged when we encounter hard times. The Israelites certainly gave evidence of this when they left Egypt following the Exodus. Hebrews 12:5-11 constitute an exposition of Proverbs 3:11-12.
▪ Another value of divine discipline is that it prepares us to reign with Christ (cf. Hebrews 2:10). God's discipline assures us that we are His sons. All believers are "partakers" (cf. Hebrews 1:9; Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 3:14; Hebrews 6:4) of discipline. The "illegitimate children" in view seem to be genuine children of God but not approved sons. (See Romans 8:14-17 for the contrast between children and sons.)
▪ A father would spend much care and patience on the upbringing of a true-born son whom he hoped to make a wealthy heir; and at the time such a son might have to undergo much more irksome discipline than an illegitimate child for whom no future of honor and responsibility was envisaged, and who therefore might be left more or less to please himself." [Note: Bruce, The Epistle . . ., pp. 357-58.]
▪ Ishmael is an Old Testament example of an illegitimate child. He was the true child of Abraham. Yet because he was illegitimate (i.e., the son of Hagar rather than Sarah, Abraham's wife) he did not receive the inheritance that Isaac, the legitimate child, did (cf. Genesis 17:19-21; Genesis 21:12-14). Ishmael received some blessing because he was Abraham's son, but he did not receive the full inheritance because he was an illegitimate child.
▪ The approved sons in view here in Hebrews are evidently those who persevere through discipline to the end of their lives whereas the illegitimate children do not but apostatize.
▪ In the Roman world, an 'illegitimate child' had no inheritance rights." [Note: Ibid.]
▪ God deals with apostate believers in judgment, but He deals with persevering believers in discipline (child training; cf. Hebrews 5:8). The writer seems to be saying that God disciplines all Christians, but when a believer apostatizes God may let him go his own way without disciplining him further, especially if he has not responded to previous discipline but has hardened his heart. God disciplines Christians to prepare us for future service, but when we apostatize He stops preparing us for future service. This is probably true only in extreme cases of departure from God and His truth (cf. Hebrews 6:6, where we read that it is impossible to renew these apostates to repentance).
▪ The author does not specify what, in literal terms, would be involved in being an illegitimate member of God's family. The context does not refer, even indirectly, to 'false brethren [i.e., non-Christians] secretly brought in' (Galatians 2:4). The wider context does suggest that such illegitimate offspring are apostates such as Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, probably alluded to in Hebrews 12:3; or more generally, those who do not keep faith firmly to the end (Hebrews 10:39)." [Note: Ellingworth, p. 651.]
▪ Another view of the terms "sons" and "illegitimate children" is that they refer to true Christians and only professing but not genuine Christians respectively. [Note: E.g., Morris, p. 137.] The reason I do not favor this view is that throughout this epistle I believe the writer is urging true Christians to remain faithful and not apostatize. In other words, the larger context favors this interpretation. Moreover an illegitimate child is, after all, still a child of his father. We need to understand the legitimate and illegitimate distinction in the light of Jewish and Roman culture.
▪ The ancient world found it incomprehensible that a father could possibly love his child and not punish him. In fact, a real son would draw more discipline than, say, an illegitimate child for the precise reason that greater honor and responsibility were to be his." [Note: R. Kent Hughes, 2:173.]
▪ This probably explains why committed Christians seem to experience more difficulties than non-committed Christians. This is observable clearly in countries of the world where Christians are being persecuted. Christians in those countries who seek to remain faithful to the Lord draw more persecution than Christians who compromise. God is preparing committed Christians for greater honor and responsibility in the future.
▪ A father who neglects to discipline a son is deficient in his capacity as father, and a son who escapes all discipline is losing out on his sonship. This is a principle which would not be recognized by all schools of thought in this modern age where permissiveness has such powerful influence. The authority of parents has been so eroded that discipline rarely if ever comes into play. It has generally ceased to be a part of sonship. It is small wonder that those brought up in such an atmosphere find genuine difficulty in understanding the discipline of God." [Note: Guthrie, p. 253.]
Heb. 12:1-7 - EW Commntary
A. Look unto Jesus.
1. (12:1) Application of the demonstrations of enduring faith in Hebrews 11.
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
a. Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses: In the mind's eye, the author pictured these previous champions of faith as spectators from the heavens, cheering us as we press on to overcome present discouragement as in an athletic competition.
i. The author thought of many more than just the 18 specifically mentioned in Hebrews 11. The ancient Greek word translated cloud was a figure of speech indicating a large group, and this is so great a cloud of witnesses. That cloud probably includes great men and women of God who have come since those Hebrews 11 saints, known and unknown to history. We are also under angelic observation (Ephesians 3:10-11) and the world watches our faith and conduct. We are surrounded by them, as spectators in a stadium surround and observe the players.
ii. The idea of the heroes of faith in the past being spectators as we live lives of faith has made some think that in heaven, people can and do observe what goes on earth. This single passage may suggest this, but it is inconclusive to prove this.
iii. We rightly think of heaven as a place where people are always happy and untroubled. It is hard to think that those in heaven are happy and untroubled if they see what is happening on the earth. So, it is difficult to say that people in heaven are actually observing us.
iv. Others consider that these witnesses are not witnessing us as we conduct our lives. Instead, they are witnesses to us of faith and endurance, in all they have lived and experienced. They have the spirit of martyrs - the root of the ancient Greek word translated witnesses.
v. "Both the Greeks and the Latins frequently use the term cloud, to express a great number of persons or things." (Clarke)
b. Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin: Sin can hold us back. But there are also things that may not be sin (every weight) but are merely hindrances that can keep us from running effectively the race God has for us.
i. Our choices are not always between right and wrong, but between something that may hinder us and something else that may not. Is there a weight in your life you must lay aside?
c. The sin which so easily ensnares us: The words easily ensnares translate a difficult ancient Greek word (euperistaton), which can be translated four ways: "easily avoided," "admired," "ensnaring," or "dangerous."
i. Let us lay them all aside:
ii. If such ensnaring sins were really the work of demonic possession or demonic influence in the Christian, this would be an ideal place for the Holy Spirit to address this. Yet we are never given reason to blame our sin on demons; the appeal is simply for us to, in the power of the Holy Spirit, lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us.
d. Let us run with endurance: What is needed is endurance, to finish what we have begun in Jesus Christ - a race that is set before us.
i. "He stands with us at the starting-point, and earnestly says to us, not 'Run,' but, 'Let us run.' The apostle himself is at our side as a runner." (Spurgeon)
ii. God has set before you - and each of us - a race. You must run it, and it will involve effort and commitment. Being passive never runs or wins a race. God wants us to run the race and to finish it right.
iii. Endurance is needed to run that race. Endurance translates the ancient Greek word hupomone, "which does not mean the patience which sits down and accepts things but the patience which masters them... It is a determination, unhurrying and yet undelaying, which goes steadily on and refuses to be deflected." (Barclay)
iv. In Acts 20:24 Paul pictured himself as a runner who had a race to finish, and nothing would keep Paul from finishing the race with joy. In that passage, Paul spoke of my race - he had his race to run, we have our own - but God calls us to finish it with joy, and that only happens with endurance.
e. The race that is set before us: Race is the ancient Greek word agona, a word used for conflict or struggle of many kinds, and a favorite word of Paul (Philippians 1:30, Colossians 2:1, 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 1 Timothy 6:12, 2 Timothy 4:7).
2. (12:2) The ultimate example: Jesus Christ.
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
a. Looking unto Jesus: The New American Standard Version translates this beautifully as, fixing our eyes on Jesus. We can only run the race as we look to Jesus and have our eyes locked on to Him. He is our focus, our inspiration, and our example.
i. In the ancient Greek, looking unto Jesus uses a verb that implies a definite looking away from other things and a present looking unto Jesus.
ii. "The Greek word for 'looking' is a much fuller word than we can find in the English language. It has a preposition in it which turns the look away from everything else. You are to look from all beside to Jesus. Fix not thy gaze upon the cloud of witnesses; they will hinder thee if they take away thine eye from Jesus. Look not on the weights and the besetting sin-these thou hast laid aside; look away from them. Do not even look upon the race-course, or the competitors, but look to Jesus and so start in the race." (Spurgeon)
iii. We must guard against seeing Jesus as only an example; He was and is so much more. But He also remains the ultimate example of Christian endurance. "Looking unto Jesus means life, light, guidance, encouragement, joy: never cease to look on him who ever looks on you." (Spurgeon)
b. The author and finisher of our faith: Jesus is not only the author of our faith; He is the finisher of it also. The idea of He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6) was comforting indeed to these discouraged Christians.
i. One may say that Jesus is with us at the starting line and the finish line and all along the way of the race that He sets before us.
c. Who for the joy that was set before Him: Jesus did not regard the cross itself as a joy. But He could look past the horror of the cross to enjoy the joy beyond it. The same mentality would enable these Jewish Christians (and we ourselves) to endure.
d. Endured the cross: Jesus was able to endure the ordeal of the cross because He understood the good that would come of it - the good of a redeemed, rescued people honoring God for all eternity.
i. Knowing all the good that would flow from this most agonizing experience, Jesus was able to do it and to endure it with triumph. Through the ordeal of the cross:
e. Despising the shame: One of the most prominent elements of the torture of the cross was its extreme shame. Jesus did not welcome this shame - He despised it - yet He endured through it to victory.
i. Shame is a significant trial. Daniel 12:2 says that shame will be an aspect of the terrors of hell: And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Jesus bore this hellish shame to accomplish our redemption.
ii. This is a stumbling block to many. They will do just about anything for Jesus except endure shame or embarrassment. Spurgeon spoke boldly to Christians who could not bear shame comes from the world for following Jesus: "Yet you are a coward. Yes, put it down in English: you are a coward. If anybody called you so you would turn red in the face; and perhaps you are not a coward in reference to any other subject. What a shameful thing it is that while you are bold about everything else you are cowardly about Jesus Christ. Brave for the world and cowardly towards Christ!"
iii. "I heard of a prayer the other day which I did not quite like at first, but there is something in it after all. The good man said, 'Lord, if our hearts are hard, make them soft; but if our hearts are too soft, make them hard.' I know what he meant, and I think I can pray that last prayer for some of my friends who are so delicate that a sneer would kill them. May the Lord harden them till they can despise the shame!" (Spurgeon)
f. And has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God: This speaks of Jesus' glorification. The same promise of being glorified (though in a different sense) after our shame is true for the Christian.
3. (12:3-4) Consider Jesus.
3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin;
a. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself: Even in their difficulty if they would consider Jesus they could be encouraged, not discouraged, knowing that they were following in the footsteps of Jesus. As Paul wrote, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:17)
i. Think of all the hostility Jesus endured from sinners:
ii. "If in the Sunday-school a class seems unmanageable; if the boys cannot be taught; if the girls seem so giddy; if in the little village station the hearers seem, so dull, so inattentive, so careless, and so forgetful; if in any other sphere of labor you do not seem to be appreciated, but to meet with very serious rebuffs, never mind. These are nothing compared with the contradictions which the Saviour endured, and yet swerved he never, and therefore swerve not you." (Spurgeon)
b. Lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls: Knowing that Jesus doesn't ask more of us than what He has Himself experienced, and that He knows exactly what we are going through keeps us from becoming weary and discouraged in your souls.
c. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin: These Jewish Christians were so discouraged because they started to experience significant social and economic persecution (though not yet to the shedding of blood).
B. Why God allows difficult times: the chastening of God.
1. (12:5-6) Remember the exhortation regarding the discipline of the Lord.
5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, " MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; 6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."
a. You have forgotten: One great reason for the discouragement among these Jewish Christians was because they saw no reason why God would allow difficult times to arise. They forgot principles regarding the chastening of the LORD.
i Much difficulty in the Christian life comes from those three words: you have forgotten. Perhaps it is some principle we remember in the mind, but have forgotten in the heart - and we must remember it again.
ii. In times of trial or stress many Christians forget some of the basics. The seriously wonder if God is still in control or if He still loves them. We must admit that God does allow every thing that happens; so He must at least passively approve of it, because He certainly has the power to stop bad things that happen.
iii. Of course, God can never be the author of evil. But He does allow others to choose evil, and He can use the evil choice another makes to work out His ultimately good purpose, even if only to demonstrate His justice and righteousness in contrast to evil.
b. Which speaks to you as sons: The quotation from Proverbs 3:11-12 reminds us that God's chastening should never be taken as a sign of His rejection. It is rather a sign of His treating us as His children.
i. Only the most proud Christian would claim they are never in need of correction from God. No one is above this training.
c. Do not despise the chastening of the LORD: When chastening comes it is an offense to God when we despise it. Chastening is His loving tool of correction and we should receive it gratefully. This is the training we need to run the race we must run with endurance (Hebrews 12:1-2).
i. "I have often heard a father say, 'Boy, if you cry for that you shall have something to cry for by-and-by.' So, if we murmur at a little God gives us something that will make us cry. If we groan for nothing, he will give us something that will make us groan." (Spurgeon)
ii. Chastening should not be regarded as the only reason God allows difficult times, but it is an important one. For example, we know that God allows difficult times so that we can, at a later time, comfort someone else with the same comfort God shows towards us in our crisis (2 Corinthians 1:3-7).
iii. This is why James recommends a prayer for wisdom in the context of enduring trials (James 1:2-5). We need to know how to react differently when God does different things.
2. (12:7) Chastening is a sign of being a son of God.
7 It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
a. God deals with you as sons: A fundamental fact of the believer's relationship with God is that He is to His people as a loving, good father is to a son or daughter. Some have trouble receiving this because they never knew a loving, good human father in their own experience. Yet, even these can still receive the love of God the Father.
i. We all do not know by experience what a model father is, but we all know by intuition what a good father is. God is that perfect Father, and He gives us that intuition. One feels cheated or disappointed by a bad father because they intuitively compare them to our good Father in heaven.
b. God deals with you as sons: God's correction is never to punish us or make us pay for our sins. That was done once and for all at the cross. His correction is motivated only by His love, not by His justice; He chastens us without anger.
i. "While he shall never be arraigned before God's bar as a criminal, and punished for his guilt, yet he now stands in a new relationship-that of a child to his parent: and as a son he may be chastised on account of sin." (Spurgeon)
