Hebrews 12
EverettHebrews 12:1-29
Perseverance – Hebrews 12:1-29 places emphasis upon our ability to persevere through the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. The previous revelation of our access to God’s throne will become the basis for our ability to persevere against persecutions and difficulties in this life because we maintain our justification before God as we continually come before Him with Jesus our High Priest there to faithfully intercede in our behalf, as the author exhorts us to do in Hebrews 10:19-39. The author exhorts his readers to persevere in their divine service by referring to the list of examples from the Old Testament and the supreme example of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:1-3) as the greatest example of perseverance in receiving eternal glorification at the Father’s right hand. If we are to persevere, we must endure chastisement as a measure of our physical perseverance (Hebrews 12:4-13), pursue holiness as a measure of our spiritual perseverance (Hebrews 12:14-17), and hear God’s Word as a measure of our mental perseverance (Hebrews 12:18-29). Outline – Here is a proposed outline:
- 5th Exhortation: The Supreme Example of Christ Jesus — Hebrews 12:1-32. 5th Doctrinal Discourse — Hebrews 12:4-29
Hebrews 12:4-29
Fifth Doctrinal Discourse: The Need for Divine Chastisement and Holiness – Hebrews 12:4-29 gives us the fifth doctrinal discourse in the epistle of Hebrews with a discussion on divine chastisement, which produces holiness, which allows us to receive God’s Word. Outline – Here is a proposed outline:
- Endure Chastisement (Physical Perseverance) — Hebrews 12:4-132. Pursue Holiness (Spiritual Perseverance) — Hebrews 12:14-173. Hear God’s Word (Mental Perseverance) — Hebrews 12:18-29
Hebrews 12:14-17
Pursue Holiness (Spiritual Perseverance) - We are then exhorted to pursue holiness as a measure our spiritual perseverance. With this exhortation the author gives us another sobering example in the life of Esau, who failed to receive his promise after having been given the blessing (Hebrews 12:16-17). Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Hebrews 12:14 — “Follow peace with all men” - Word Study on “follow” – Strong says the Greek word “follow” (διώκω) (G1377) means, “to pursue.” The Enhanced Strong says it is used 44 times in the New Testament, being translated in the KJV as, “persecute 28, follow after 6, follow 4, suffer persecution 3, misc 3.” Hebrews 12:14 — “and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” – Comments – Frances J. Roberts writes, “Without holiness, no man shall see God. This could be as truly stated, ‘Without a tender heart and sensitive, attentive spirit, none shall see God’, for without these, no true holiness will ever be attained.”[267] [267] Frances J. Roberts, Come Away My Beloved (Ojai, California: King’s Farspan, Inc., 1973), 15.Scripture Reference - Note a similar verse: Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Hebrews 12:14 — Comments – The Greek grammar in Hebrews 12:14 makes it evident that the phrase, “without which not man shall see the Lord” modifies the word “holiness” (masculine), and not “peace” (feminine). So, if we work towards peace, but others do not allow it, this will not separate us from God. Holiness is our responsibility, regardless of the actions of others. These Hebrews were being persecuted. They needed to strive to live peacefully, yet maintain holiness in a perverse generation (1 Timothy 4:10). 1 Timothy 4:10, “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” We are to make great efforts to live at peace with others and not indulge in sin. This often means walking away from strife and arguments. It means holding our tongues when we want to speak out impulsively. It means forgiving when we do not feel like forgiving. We are to show mercy, whether or not we have been shown mercy. We are to walk in humility and submission even though it means shame and persecution from others. This pursuit means crucifying the flesh on a daily basis. It is not an easy pursuit, and we are not successful all of the time. Therefore, it is something that we must keep before our eyes and always endeavor to achieve. Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Hebrews 12:15 — “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God” – Comments - The same Greek word ὑστερέω (G5302), translated “fail” in Hebrews 12:15, is used in Romans 3:23. We find a similar statement in Galatians 5:4, “ye are fallen from grace.” We have fallen short of God’s glory. Let us not fall short of God’s grace Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Galatians 5:4, “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Hebrews 12:15 — “and thereby many be defiled” – Comments - The tongue of bitterness can corrupt many hearts and plant seeds of sin in other lives. However, a righteous man, using God’s wisdom, does not have to be embittered because of what others say. Note Proverbs 11:9. Proverbs 11:9, “An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.” Illustration: Deuteronomy 29:18, “Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;” Hebrews 12:15 — Comments - We must understand Hebrews 12:15 to be a similar statement to the ones made in Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 10:28-29; Hebrews 12:25. In all of these passages, the author warns his readers against falling away from God and losing their salvation. Hebrews 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. Hebrews 12:16 — Word Study on “profane” - Strong says the Greek word “profane” (βέβηλος) (G952) means, “heathenish, wicked.” Hebrews 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Hebrews 12:17 — Comments - Esau could not get back his birthrights. Many people today are selling their privilege to eternal life for a “morsel of meat” in this lifetime. Hebrews 12:16-17 — Comments - The Example of Esau - Note that Hebrews 6:4-6 does not describe the only person that will go to hell after backsliding, because all backsliders will go to hell. This passage describes the only type of backslider who cannot repent and be restored back to God. It is a person who backslides willfully and knowingly after rising to maturity in the faith. The author has given us the example of the children of Israel in the wilderness whom God destroyed (Hebrews 3:7-19), and he will later give us the example of Esau who found no repentance, though it sought it with tears (Hebrews 12:16-17).
Hebrews 12:18-29
Hear God’s Word (Mental Perseverance) - We are then exhorted to hear and receive God’s word from Mount Sion as a measure of our mental perseverance. With this exhortation the author uses an Old Testament comparison of God delivering His Word to the children of Israel from Mount Sinai. In Hebrews 12:18-29 the author makes a clear contrast between the way man communicates with God in the new covenant with the old covenant. He emphasizes the negative aspects of Mount Sinai in Hebrews 12:18-21 when the children of Israel were gathered around it to hear the voice of God. In Hebrews 12:22-24 he emphasizes those who are already in Heaven to assist in our redemption. He then interprets this Old Testament event under the New Covenant (Hebrews 12:25-29). Hebrews 12:22 — Comments – This heavenly city is the city for which the patriarchs were searching (Hebrews 11:10). Hebrews 11:10, “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, Hebrews 12:23 — “and to the spirits of just men made perfect” – Comments - Hebrews 10:14 says that we have been “perfected” by the one-time offer of the blood of Jesus Christ. According to Hebrews 12:23, this perfection is referring to the born-again spirit of man, which reads, “and to the spirits of just men made perfect.” God is now at work in the life of every believer to bring him into perfection, spirit, soul and body. Hebrews 10:14, “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” Comments – At 5:00 a.m. Monday morning, March 28, 2011 my brother Jerry called me from the hospital to inform me that our mother had just died. I hung up the phone and the first thing that I felt an urge to do was go to God’s Word. The Lord then quickened to me the phrase “and to the spirits of just men made perfect.” I understood that Mom had just been made perfect in spirit, soul, and body when she left this life and entered the gate of heavenly Jerusalem. Although our spirits are made perfect at the time we are born again, our soul and body must wait until we reach Heaven in order to partake of this perfection. Hebrews 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. Hebrews 12:24 — Comments - Both Abel and Jesus shed blood because of their faith in God. The book of Genesis tells us that Abel’s sacrifice was superior to that of his brother Cain (Hebrews 11:4), and in his death his offering still speaks of right standing by faith in God (Hebrews 11:4). Yet, Christ’s sacrifice is far superior to Abel’s in that it paid for the sins of all of mankind, while Abel’s sacrifice only made atonement for his sins. We can understand Abel’s sacrifice and death to be a type and figure of Christ’s future death and sacrificial offering unto God. Hebrews 12:23 tells us that “the spirits of just men were made perfect,” referring to Christ’s work of redemption to bring us to perfection. Hebrews 11:4, “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” Hebrews 12:22-24 — Comments – A Description of Heaven - We can imagine leaving this earthly life and going to Heaven. We first approach the Heavenly city (but ye are come unto mount Sion) and we immediately feel the very presence of God everywhere (and unto the city of the living God). We enter the city (the heavenly Jerusalem) and see the host of angels as they go about their divine duties (and to an innumerable company of angels). We meet our loved ones and the saints of old (to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven). We approach the throne of God and sense His holiness and understand why He created Hell (and to God the Judge of all). As we meet with the saints we begin to understand their immortal characteristics (and to the spirits of just men made perfect).
Soon there is a stir as Jesus walks us to greet us (and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant). We notice the scars on His hands and feet and began to realize the sacrifice that He made for you and me (and to the blood of sprinkling), a sacrifice that far exceeded anything that we could have done as mortals on earth (that speaketh better things than that of Abel). Paul, whom the early church fathers bear witness as the author of the epistle of Hebrews, was caught up into Heaven and saw these things (2 Corinthians 12:1-4). The vivid description contained in Hebrews 12:22-24 very likely serves as a description of what he saw and experienced during this heavenly rapture. Hebrews 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Hebrews 12:25 — Comments - We must understand Hebrews 12:25 b to be a similar statement to the ones made in Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 10:28-29; Hebrews 12:15, warning us of divine judgment for those who refuse His voice. Hebrews 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. Hebrews 12:26 — “Whose voice then shook the earth” - Comments – Exodus 19:18-19 tells us that God’s voice shook the entire mountain when He spoke from Mount Sinai to the people. Exodus 19:18-19, “And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.” Deuteronomy 4:11-13, “And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness. And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.” Deuteronomy 5:22-26 Psalms 68:7-8, “O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah: The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.” Hebrews 12:26 — “but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven” - Comments - The Old Testament quote in Hebrews 12:26 is most likely a paraphrase taken from Haggai 2:6, “For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;” Hebrews 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Hebrews 12:28 — Word Study on “let us have grace” - The Greek construction (χάρινἔχωτῷΧριστῷἸησοῦ) or (χάριςτῷθεῷ)[268] or some variation of this phrase is found no less than thirteen times in the Greek New Testament (Luke 17:9, Romans 6:17; Romans 7:25, 1 Corinthians 10:30; 1 Corinthians 15:57, 2 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 8:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15, Colossians 3:16, 1 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 1:3, Philemon 1:7 [t.r.], Hebrews 12:28). It is properly translated in a variety of ways; “I am grateful to God,” or “I thank God,” “Let’s give thanks,” or “with thanks to the Lord.” [268] Kurt Aland, Matthew Black, Carlo M. Martini, Bruce M. Metzger, M. Robinson, and Allen Wikgren, The Greek New Testament, Fourth Revised Edition (with Morphology) (Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1993, 2006), in Libronix Digital Library System, v. 2.1c [CD-ROM] (Bellingham, WA: Libronix Corp., 2000-2004), Hebrews 12:28.ESV, “let us be grateful” NET, “let us give thanks” NCV, “let us be thankful” NIV, “let us be thankful” NLT, “let us be thankful” Rotherham, “let us have gratitude” RSV, “let us be grateful” However, there are a number of modern versions that translate the word χάρις (G5485) as “grace.” ASV, “let us have grace” BBE, “let us have grace” Murdock, “let us grasp the grace” WEB, “let us have grace” YLT, “may we have grace” Hebrews 12:28 — Comments – Taking the Greek word χάρις (G5485) to mean, “divine grace” rather than “thanks,” we can say that it is only by God’s grace that we are able to live a life of holiness and well-pleasing unto God, who is a consuming fire. The grace of God empowers us to persevere in the Christian life as described Hebrews 12:1-27. In other words, holiness is a product of divine grace, something a Christian cannot obtain without the empowering of the Holy Spirit, and High Priesthood of Jesus Christ, and divine providence of God the Father. Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29 — Comments – Hebrews 12:29 is probably taken from Deuteronomy 4:24, “For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.” One of the characteristics of fire is that it consumes. We do not expect fire to burn without performing its natural behaviour, which is to consume. In like manner, one of God’s divine characteristics is to consume all that is sinful, since He is a judging God. If an unregenerate man stood in the presence of God he would instantly be consumed by God’s presence, because His character is similar to that of fire in that He consumes all that is evil. Thus, the author of Hebrews says, “For our God is a consuming fire.” Illustrations – We find examples of God consuming people with fire in the book of Leviticus and Numbers. Leviticus 10:1-2, “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.” Numbers 16:35, “And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.” Scripture References - Note similar verses: Deuteronomy 9:3, “Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee.” Also: — Psalms 18:7, “Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.” Psalms 68:2, “As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.” Isaiah 30:27, “Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:”