| Back to Home Page | Back to
Book Index |
Hebrews Chapter
Twelve
I.
Content of the Chapter
Exhortations and Warnings Concerning Hope
A. Exhortations ---- endurance works out hope
(v.1-17);
1. Run the race with endurance (v.1-4);
2. Receive the discipline with endurance
(v.5-11);
3. Seek unto the end with endurance (v.12-14);
B. Warnings ---- let us not lose the hope
(v.15-29);
1. Lest we fall down from the grace (v.15-17);
2. Our hope is the heavenly
3. See that you do not refuse God who speaks to
us and warns us (v.25-29).
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Heb. 12:1
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let
us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”
YLT: “Therefore, we also having so
great a cloud of witnesses set around us, every weight having put off, and the
closely besetting sin, through endurance may we run the contest that is set
before us,”
Meaning of Words:
“witness”: martyr; “be surrounded”: be
enclosed, be bound with, be compassed with; “weight”: burden, hindrance;
“easily ensnares”: well standing around, a thwarting in every direction, easily
beset; “race”: conflict, contention, flight;
Literal Meaning:
“therefore, since we are surrounded by so great …
witnesses”, “therefore we”, it continues with the last chapter (see 11:40). “So
great…witnesses” refer to that many giants by faith in chapter eleven.
“Witnesses”: those who provide testimonies in order to confirm and prove the
reality of things; It is the same word with “witness” (see Acts 1:8, 22; 2:32;
3:15 etc), so it can also refer to the good works worthy of encouragement to
others.
“A cloud of”, “cloud” is used to
describe the large numbers of people. Also there are the Bible expositors who
think that the cloud is connected with the running of the race of God’s people
(see Ex. 13:21-22; Num. 9:15-22). “Be surrounded”, it refers to the audience
who shout cheerfully around, who make the runners feel more refreshing.
“Let us lay aside every weight”, “every
weight” refers to all kinds of weight and burden that hinder the runners, e.g.
the cares of life and the deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things
(Luke 8:14; Mark 4:19).
“And the sin which so easily ensnares
us”, “easily ensnares”, it is just like the robe that wraps our body, which
hinders the running. “Sin”, the meaning of the word is missing the mark. God is
the only goal of our life. If anything or anybody outside of God (no matter
good or bad) becomes our goal, it is sin. “The sin which so easily ensnares
us”, in the heart of this epistle’s writer, the sin seems to especially refer
to the “willful sin” like treading the Son of God or insulting the Spirit of
grace (see 10:26-29), for it will prevent them from running in the heavenly
race.
“Let us run with endurance the race that
is set before us”, “with endurance”: because the race covers the whole life,
just like the marathon race, which requires endurance unto the end. “Run”, in
the shortest time and run in the longest race, namely, the quickest speed;
“that is set before us”, there is a goal set before each believer which shall
be obtained by our diligent pursuit (see Phil. 3:12-14). “Race”: in the
original it refers to the racetracks. Each believer is a participant of the
race who runs in the race for the purpose of obtaining the prize (see 1Cor.
9:24).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The whole life of each believer is a race,
where there are many good examples of men and things around, encouraging us to
run ahead.
2) “Witness”, the word is often connected with
martyrs (see Rev. 2:13; 3:14; 11:3; 17:6). Christians put themselves to death
for the sake of the Lord and balk at no sacrifice, even that of our lives. The
works manifested before all the people are the best witness (see
3) “Weight” and “sin” are two great factors
that hinder our running. If we do not deal with them, we will be unable to run
well.
4) “Weight” may not be sin and even is not sin.
However, if we have not put off our weight, we cannot run quickly. Therefore,
we have to search what is the weight to each of us.
5) “Weight” often tends to be the burden in our
hearts, e.g. sadness, sorrow, depression and discouragement etc., or the
temptations that distract our hearts, e.g. easement, greediness, fame and gain
and reputation etc. ---- all of them belong to the weight that hinders the
running.
6) At that time, the most unbearable “weight”
of the Hebrew believers is the laws and regulations (see Matt. 23:4).
Therefore, we have to made up our mind not to put the “yoke” upon the necks of
others in the church (see Acts 15:10), but have to bear one another’s burdens
(Gal. 6:2).
7) “Sin” will not only hinder our running and
even make us disqualified for the race. Sin means breaching the rules. And the
one who breaches the rules will be disqualified for the competition.
8) The opposite side of faith is doubt ----
doubt about God’s love, faithfulness and power etc. Such doubt is a sin against
God. Therefore, let us always not be ensnared by doubt.
9) The people of
10) The weight should be “laid aside”, and the
sin should be “put off”. We have to make up our mind to put off the weight and
sin so that we can run.
11) If we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, we will be blessed thereafter. However, if we are encircled by sins,
we will be cursed thereafter.
12) Even though we have a good beginning and
good process, we can still not obtain the prize before the destination. We have
to run the whole length of the race “with endurance” before we finish the whole
race, namely, before we see the Lord.
13) “Run” is not slow walking, nor standing, but
go ahead as quickly as possible. We have to spare no efforts in the pursuit and
service of Christians.
14) “Running” quickly means that one requires
less time than others. Therefore, let us redeem the time (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5)
and use the time given by God properly.
15) He who runs in the sport ground can only run
within the due track. However, though many Christians are zealous and laborious
and run, they run outside the will of God and will finally not be approved by
God (see Matt. 7:21-23).
16) The race that Christians have to run in is
not vague, but “is set before” ---- it is of certain direction and certain
tracks and certain goal/
17) Since the race “is set before us”, we have
to go ahead step by step, not go backward (see 10:38). What is most important
is “to forget the things behind, and stretch out to the things before and press
towards goal” (Phil. 3:13-14).
18) The race that Christians have to run in is
always “set before us”. And the race of the world is always the race that
follows us. No matter how farther we have run, the race of the world is always
one step away from us ---- just behind “us”. Whenever we turn back, we have
left the right way.
Heb. 12:2 “looking unto Jesus, the
author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of
the throne of God.”
YLT:
“looking to the author and perfecter of faith -- Jesus, who, over-against the
joy set before him -- did endure a cross, shame having despised, on the right
hand also of the throne of God did sit down;”
Meaning
of Words: “look unto”: consider; “author”: writer, captain, prince, leader,
initiator; “finisher”: perfecter, completer, consummater; “for”: because of;
“shame”: disgrace;
Literal
Meaning: “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher
of our faith”, “look unto”: leave aside one thing and pay attention to another
thing, and it is also translated as “looking off unto Jesus”;
“Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith”, there are two aspects of
meaning: 1) He is the initiator of our faith. We can have faith in Him. And He
is also the finisher of our faith, who makes our faith perfect; 2) He is the
pioneer and leader of our faith and paves the way of faith for us. Besides, he
also keeps us in the rear and encourages us to finish the way of faith.
Note that here it is looking unto “Jesus”, not “Christ” or “the Lord
Jesus” (the name after His resurrection). We have to look unto Jesus. That is
to say, we have to consider the humanity of Him carefully.
“Who for the joy that was set before Him”, “the joy that was set before
Him”: the exaltation by God after fulfilling His works (see Phil. 2:9-11),
which is obtained after resurrection (see Ps. 16:11; 22:22; Is. 53:10).
“Endured the cross, despising the shame”, “despising the shame”: not
care the insults from men; “endure”: experience; “the cross”: it includes the
way of the cross that He walked on the earth as well as the summit of His
crucifixion on the cross;
“And has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”, be exalted
(see 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12) and enjoy the joy that was set before Him;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) One shall firstly “look off”, and then “look
unto” Him. If we still look at other things, we cannot look unto the Lord only.
2) Not only may things on the earth attract our
attention and entice us and even many spiritual things and knowledge can still
not make us absorbed in the Lord Jesus. Therefore, we eyes shall be turned from
many good or bad things to Him only.
3) Jesus is the coach and goal of the runners.
A runner shall firstly be instructed by his coach before the race and then fix
his eyes on the goal and press on instead of gazing around so as not to affect
his running on the runway.
4) He is the author and finisher of our faith.
Our faith starts from Him and ends in Him. Our faith is totally in Him. Without
Him, we have no faith.
5) If we look unto the author and finisher of
our faith, our faith will be continually increased and confirmed without
shaking.
6) Christ is the “finisher” of our faith. Only
Him can fulfill our faith to perfection. And only Him can perfect what we
believe in us.
7) All spiritual things are in the Lord Jesus.
He is Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8). We have no pursuit no desire but Him (see Ps.
73:25).
8) Men may often see the suffering and shame of
the cross, but the Lord Jesus focuses on the joy and glory behind the cross.
9) If we Christians love the glory of man more
than that of God (John 12:43), we will be afraid of shame. On the contrary, if
we love the glory of God more than that of man, we will embrace the cross.
10) He despises the shame that is from men, and
yet endures the suffering of the cross that is from God. Shame and cross are
both sides of one body. Things that men have done to us are permitted by God.
11) We need not to pay much attention to the
misunderstanding, or opposition or criticism or judgment from men, but shall
embrace all that happen to us by God’s permission, for they will perfect what
God will perfect.
12) “Despise” shows that it is a kind of view
and attitude after comparison. The principle for Christians’ growth is not only
afflictions in soul to overcome the sin but also seeing the coming hope of joy
in spirit indeed. Thus we will certainly “despise” all the shame in this world.
Heb. 12:3 “For consider Him who
endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and
discouraged in your souls.”
YLT:
“for consider again him who endured such gainsaying from the sinners to
himself, that ye may not be wearied in your souls -- being faint.”
Meaning
of Words: “consider”: think of, approve,
count; “hostility”: disobedience, contradiction;
“weary”: faint;
Literal
Meaning: “Him who endured such hostility from sinners
against Himself”, “Him…who”: Jesus Christ; “endure”: it is the lasting effect
of the suffering of Christ’s atoning for sins; “such”: it indicates the serious
degree; “hostility”: the contradiction in words and attitudes and actions,
including how he was insulted, humiliated, maltreated, spat, whipped and
injured by men.
“Consider … lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls”,
“consider”: make right judgment after careful consideration; “weary”: mental
relaxation; “discouraged”: have no appetite for the fight
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The way and mind of the Lord Jesus on the
earth are great refreshment and encouragement for believers’ spirit. If we
ponder Him repeatedly, we will never be weary or discouraged.
2) To a man who is running in the race toward
the kingdom, the most terrible enemy is weariness and discouragement in souls.
“Weary and discouraged in your souls”: be powerless in you souls; that is to
say, one’s will is paralyzed and his affection becomes cold and his mind has
appetite for nothing. And to him, everything is meaningless and he just lets
everything drift.
Heb. 12:4 “You have not yet resisted
to bloodshed, striving against sin.”
YLT:
“Not yet unto blood did ye resist -- with the sin striving;”
Meaning
of Words: “resist”: withstand; “strive against”: struggle against, wrestle
against;
Literal
Meaning: “you have not yet resisted to bloodshed”,
“resisted”, it is still a parable concerning sports competition, and it is
transferred from running (see v.1) to boxing, which refers to boxing with sins;
“Striving against sin”, the degree of resistance has not reached to a
point of life and death.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Sin is the great enemy of Christians. The
Lord Jesus sheds His precious blood in order to deliver us from the power of
sin. If we are unwilling to resist with sins, we have betrayed the love of the
Lord who redeemed us by shedding His blood.
2) The majority of Christians resist sins only
stay in spiritual sphere, and have not reached to the step of physical injuries.
3) Even though Christians are pressed to bloodshed, we will still be encouraged by the Lord’s
word ---- be not afraid of them that kill the body (Matt. 10:28).
Heb. 12:5 “And you have forgotten
the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise
the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;”
YLT:
“and ye have forgotten the exhortation that doth speak fully with you as with
sons, `My son, be not despising chastening of the Lord, nor be faint, being reproved
by Him,”
Meaning
of Words: “forgotten”: be utterly
obliviously of; “exhortation”: consolation, entreaty,
imploration; “despise”: disesteem, have little regard for; “chastening”:
disciplinary correction, instruction, training;
Literal Meaning: “and you have forgotten the exhortation which
speaks to you as to sons”: “have forgotten”, it is in the perfect tense in the
original, and here it is for the purpose of reminding the readers. “The
exhortation which speaks to you as to sons”, it is God the Father exhorts us
patiently like the fathers on the earth; “speak”: the words in the Scriptures
are just the words God has spoken to men.
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD”, “do not”: it is an
imperative prohibition; “despise”: disesteem; “chastening” includes correction,
reproof, and chastisement etc. The fathers of the Jews are accustomed to
fulfill the responsibility of chastening the children to make them morally
well.
“Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him”, “nor be discouraged”:
do not lose appetite for the pursuit or fight;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) God often says the ongoing words to us by
the words written on the Scriptures. Therefore, we have to read and be familiar
with the Scriptures so that God can speak to us if it is necessary.
2) Men may easily ignore the reason why they
are in tribulations, so they can learn nothing from the tribulations.
Therefore, if we are chastened by the Lord and are in suffering, we shall not
“despise” it so that we will learn something from it.
3) When we are chastened by God, there may be
two wrong responses ---- either “despise” or “be discouraged”. Even though we
shall not despise the chastening of God, we shall still not see the chastening
too much so as not to be discouraged.
Heb. 12:6 “For whom the LORD loves
He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives."”
YLT:
“for whom the Lord doth love He doth chasten, and He scourgeth every son whom
He receiveth;'”
Meaning
of Words: “scourge”: flog; “receive”: accept;
Literal
Meaning: “for whom the LORD loves He chastens”, “whom
the LORD loves”: it refers to sons; “chasten”: through which the son will be
disciplined and perfected;
“And scourges every son whom He receives”, “scourge”: serious
punishment; “son whom He receives”, it means regarding the son as a son, and
the son is thus treated just because he is the son.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) God chastens those whom He loves. If we are
chastened by God, it is just the proof that God loves us. Therefore, every time
when we are disciplined, we shall transfer compliant into thanksgiving and
sorrow to praise.
2) God chastens us, for we are beloved of Him.
Disciplines are arrangements of love. And it is love arranges these experiences
for us and measures what we are supposed to go through.
3) “Scourge” brings afflictions to men.
Therefore, sometimes, the tribulations that we often experience are out of the
chastening of God.
4) Scourge does not mean rejection by God.
Instead, it is a sign of being pleased by God.
5) The present custom of this world goes against
the teaching of the Scriptures. In some countries, the laws say that children
should not be scourged. However, the Scriptures say that “he that spares his
rod hates his son, but he that loves him chastens him betimes” (Pro. 13:24).
Heb. 12:7 “If you endure chastening,
God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not
chasten?”
YLT:
“if chastening ye endure, as to sons God beareth Himself to you, for who is a
son whom a father doth not chasten?”
Meaning
of Words: “deal with”: bring unto, do,
offer up;
Literal
Meaning: “if you endure chastening, God deals with
you”, it means that the discipline you endure comes from God, so we have to
receive with endurance.
“As with sons”, since God sets us among the sons, we should have the
awareness of a son.
“For what son is there whom a father does not chasten”? No son is
exceptional that he is not chastened by his father.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Please remember that chastening is the
preferential treatment of God, not bitter treatment. If God disciplines you, He
will bring you on the position of receiving blessings and glory.
2) Madame Guyon said, “I desire to kiss the
whip on me and kiss the hand slapped on me”. If you have seen this is the whip
of the Father and the hand of the Father, you will not complain.
Heb. 12:8 “But if you are without
chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and
not sons.”
YLT:
“and if ye are apart from chastening, of which all have become partakers, then
bastards are ye, and not sons.”
Meaning
of Words: “partaker”: sharer, partner; “illegitimate”: unlawful, bastard;
Literal
Meaning: “of which all have become partakers”, “have
become partakers”, it means that the chastening is received and the effect is
lasting. As long as one is a son, he has personally experienced chastening and
enjoyed the eternal effect on him.
“But if you are without chastening … then you are illegitimate and not
sons”, “illegitimate”, it means that the father does not treat the unlawful
children seriously and the unlawful children can not enjoy the right of
inheritance nor worship God with the family members.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If a man has not been chastened by God, he
has not proof of a son. Every child of God shall be disciplined by God without
exception.
2) If you are the son of God, you cannot expect
distinct treatment. Discipline is a sign for sons, without which one is a
illegitimate son, who is not a member of God’s house.
Heb. 12:9 “Furthermore, we have had
human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much
more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?”
YLT:
“Then, indeed, fathers of our flesh we have had, chastising , and we were
reverencing ; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of the spirits,
and live?”
Meaning
of Words: “furthermore”: besides; “correct”: train; “respect”: fear, esteem: “in
subjection to”: obedience;
Literal
Meaning: “furthermore, we have had human fathers who
corrected us”, “we” refers to the common people; “corrected”, it is a noun in
the original, namely, correctors, who teach by disciplines. “Human fathers who
corrected us”: the human fathers are correctors.
“And we paid them respect”, “and”, the conjunction shows that there is
further serious condition. “Pay…respect”: receive with respect;
“The
Father of spirits and live”, “spirits”, both
the eternal value of human beings and all function of fellowship with God come
from the spirit. “The Father of spirits”, the Father in the heavens, namely, God.
Here it is a comparison with the fathers in the flesh.
“Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to…?” “Shall…not much
more”, it follows the previous word “and”. “Be in subjection to”, it is not
different from “respect”. Though a man may hear and obey his parents because of
respect (see Eph. 6:1-2), he may not be “submissive” in heart. However, we have
to be in subjection to the works of God without any reason. “Live”: live before
God.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The matter of son leads to that of
chastening. And the matter of chastening produces that of subjection. Since we
are sons, we have to be disciplined. And since there is discipline, we have to
be submissive.
2) Concerning the obedience to God, we have to
both obey His commands and His chastening. On one hand, we shall be in
subjection to all the words God has spoken in the Scriptures. And on the other,
we have to obey all the arrangements of God in our circumstances.
3) Obedience is not a vain slogan. One has to
pay the cost when he obeys, namely, enduring the chastening of God.
Heb. 12:10 “For they indeed for a few
days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be
partakers of His holiness.”
YLT:
“for they, indeed, for a few days, according to what seemed good to them, were
chastening, but He for profit, to be partakers of His separation;”
Meaning
of Words: “seemed best to”: apparently good; “profit”: be better for; “partakers”: receiver,
participants;
Literal
Meaning: “for they indeed for a few days chastened us
as seemed best to them”, “a few days”: the days are limited. Probably, the sons
have not grown up. “As seemed best to them”, they chastened according to what
they regarded as best, but their thoughts might not be right or profitable.
“But He for our profit”, “for…profit”: it must be of profit in the sight
of God (see
“That we may be partakers of His holiness”, “holiness”, only God is
holy, and all that are outside of God are common. Therefore, “holiness” means
being consecrated unto God. “His holiness”, since holiness is the nature of
God, so it is called God’s holiness. “Be partakers of His holiness”: have part
in the holy nature of God;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) All the discipline and reproach of God are
not punishment, nor chastisement, but training for our profit.
2) God chastens us for our profit. Such profit
is making us partakers of God’s holiness, namely, partakers of Himself.
Therefore, every discipline of God is for the purpose of manifesting Himself so
that such a holy God will be known.
3) Holiness is the nature of God as well as the
disposition of God. Such holiness of God is “constituted” into us gradually.
And it is not received all at once, but craved step by step. We really not know
how many times of chastening will build such a holy disposition!
Heb. 12:11 “Now no chastening seems
to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields
the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
YLT:
“and all chastening for the present, indeed, doth not seem to be of joy, but of
sorrow, yet afterward the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those exercised
through it -- it doth yield.”
Meaning
of Words: “painful”: grievous, sad; “trained”: exercised; “yield”: produce, reward,
deliver, give; “peaceable”: salutary; “righteousness”: justice, uprightness,
what is right;
Literal
Meaning: “now no chastening seems to be joyful for
the present, but painful”, “chastening” includes the discipline of both the
father in the flesh and the Father of spirits. “No ….be…but”, this is the right
feeling of those who are chastened. And it is not joyful of being disciplined.
“Nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness
to those who have been trained by it”, “those who have been trained by it”:
those who have been chastened; “the peaceable fruit of righteousness”, which
means: 1) righteousness is a kind of fruit. It is right and just no matter to
God or to men; 2) in righteousness, there is peace between God and men and in
oneself;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Note the words “seems to…” and “afterward”,
it seems to be painful, but afterwards there yields joyful fruit (see 1Pet.
1:6). Therefore, let our eyes not stay at the apparent condition, but at the
coming result.
2) It is a certainty that one is painful
because of being chastened. However, pain is not the purpose of God. The will
of God is to let us obtain profit through tribulations, namely, the change in
life and the fruit borne inside.
3) Only when man is peaceful before God can he obtain
fruit. The most terrible condition is that one complains and murmurs and
disobeys under the discipline. If one desires to yield the fruit of peace, he
has to firstly learn to obey and learn to not disagree with God or not complain
against God. When peace is in us, there will yield righteousness. Once man has
no peace, or complains or disputes before God, he has lost righteousness.
4) On one hand, peace brings about
righteousness, and righteousness leads to peace on the other. No matter the
relations between God and men, or interpersonal relations, or international
relations, peace can only be obtained in righteousness.
Heb. 12:12 “Therefore strengthen the
hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,”
YLT:
“Wherefore, the hanging-down hands and the loosened knees set ye up;”
Meaning
of Words: “hang down”: alongside, let by,
relax; “feeble”: sick of the palsy, loosen;
“strengthen”: make straight, life up;
Literal
Meaning: “hands” represent works and deeds; “the
hands which hang down”, it means being powerless to work; “strengthen”: be
strong in works (see Is. 35:3).
“Knees”, if there is something wrong with one’s knees, there must also
be something wrong with his feet. And feet stand for the power of running the
heavenly race. “The feeble knees”, it means being powerless to walk; “strengthen … the feeble knees”,
it means that one has power to run the heavenly race.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If we focus on our experience, we will be
weary and discouraged (see v.5). If we see the outcome that our experience will
produce, we will be refreshed. Therefore, we shall take a foresighted view ----
from the present to the future.
2) Tribulations works endurance, and endurance
works experience, and experience works hope and hope does not make ashamed (
Heb. 12:13 “and make straight paths
for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be
healed.”
YLT:
“and straight paths make for your feet, that that which is lame may not be
turned aside, but rather be healed;”
Meaning
of Words: “path”: track (as a
wheel-rut), a course of conduct; “be dislocated”: turn out of the way,
deflect; “heal”: make whole, cure;
Literal
Meaning: “make straight paths for you feet”, “make
straight”, it is for the purpose of running easily (see Pro. 4:26-27). If one’s
feet are strong, and the paths are not good, he may still be stumbled and his
feet may be hurt.
“So that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed”,
“lame” represents those who are not firm in faith (see
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) We shall still firm by faith in persecutions
and tribulations rather than turn away from the right path, lest we should
become the stumbling-stone of the feeble brothers. Moreover, we have to help
and strengthen them to run on the heavenly race.
2) When we are tried, we have to be under the
mighty hand of God so that the holy character will be established in us.
Therefore, the way you tread upon is right, and you can help those who give up
halfway and lead them to walk uprightly. If a man who walks ahead of us turns
aside slightly, he will mislead those who are after him.
Heb. 12:14 “Pursue peace with all
people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:”
YLT:
“peace pursue with all, and the separation, apart from which no one shall see
the Lord,”
Meaning
of Words: “pursue”: press forward,
follow, pursue; “peace”: quietness, rest, prosperity;
“holiness”: sanctification;
Literal
Meaning: “pursue peace with all people”, “pursue”, it
means that one pursues initiatively and actively and then obtains (see Ps.
34:14). “Peace with all people”, peace with all those who are in the church
(Rom. 12:18; 14:19).
“And holiness, without which no one will see the Lord”, “holiness”:
holiness in life experience; since we believers have been given positional
sanctification (see 10:10, 14), we have to still seek to be sanctified in daily
life. “Without which no one will see the Lord”, holiness is the primary
condition for the fellowship between God and men.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “Pursue peace with all people”, it is not a
negative attitude of “not irritating others”, but a kind of active attitude of
dealing with all.
2) Believers who live in the world have to
manifest the characteristic of the Son of God, namely, “the peace-maker” (see
Matt. 5:9). In other words, the secret of making peace is to live out the life
of God in daily life.
3) Though it is the Spirit perfects the
“holiness” in us (see
4) “Peace” is stressed in interpersonal
relations of believers, and yet “holiness” is focused on in the relations of
men with God. Peace and holiness are indispensible elements for our relations
with men and God.
Heb. 12:15 “looking carefully lest
anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up
cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;”
YLT:
“looking diligently over lest any one be failing of the grace of God, lest any
root of bitterness springing up may give trouble, and through this many may be
defiled;”
Meaning
of Words: “looking carefully”: look diligently,
taker the oversight; “fall short of”: lack, fail, be destitute;
“spring up”: swell up, grow, germinate; “disturb”: crowd in, annoy, trouble;
“defiled”: sully, taint, contaminate;
Literal
Meaning: “looking carefully lest anyone fall short of
the grace of God”, “looking carefully”, the ministers (e.g. healers, overseers
etc.) have to watch carefully;
“Lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble”, “root of
bitterness”, there are two aspects of meaning: 1) be hostile to men and bitter
in heart (
“And by this many become defiled”, “become defiled”, there are also
aspects of meaning: 1) be defiled in conscience and morality (Titus 1:15); 2)
be defiled in faith and godliness (see James 1:27).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) All have sinned, and come short of the glory
of God (
2) The failure and mistake of even one single
member in the church tend to influence many believers, just like a little
leaven leavens the whole lump (1Cor. 5:6).
Heb. 12:16 “lest there be any
fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his
birthright.”
YLT:
“lest any one be a fornicator, or a profane person, as Esau, who in exchange
for one morsel of food did sell his birthright,”
Meaning
of Words: “fornicator”: prostitute; “profane”: heathenish, wicked;
Literal
Meaning: “lest there be any fornicator”, “lest”, note
that if we do not “look carefully” (see v.15), there will be the third “lest”.
“Fornicator” has two meanings: 1) physical fornication, namely, the sexual
behaviors outside of marriage (1Cor. 6:18); 2) spiritual fornication, namely,
profanity that is mentioned below and worship of idols (see Rev. 2:15, 20; Eph.
5:5;
“Profane person like Esau”, “profane” it is opposite to holiness (v.14).
“Profane”: love the world and things in the world (1John 2:15).
“Who for one morsel of food sold his birthright”, it is recorded in the
Book of Genesis (25:29-34); “his birthright”: the right of the first-born,
including double inheritances (Deut. 21:17), being the family priest and the
eldest one among the brothers (1Sam. 20:29).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If anyone loves the world, the love of the
Father is not in him (1John 2:15). He who loves the world cannot please the
God.
2) “Profanity” is just like “one morsel of
food”. Once it is tasted, it is gone. Any earthly enjoyment cannot be compared
with the coming blessings of Christians.
Heb. 12:17 “For you know that
afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he
found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.”
YLT:
“for ye know that also afterwards, wishing to inherit the blessing, he was
disapproved of, for a place of reformation he found not, though with tears
having sought it.”
Meaning
of Words: “rejected”: disapprove,
repudiate; “found”: seek, search; “place”: space,
room, chance; “repentance”: a change of heart;
Literal
Meaning: “inherit blessing”: the blessing of the
first-born; “was rejected”, it was not that Isaac did not bless Esau (see Gen.
27:39-40), but Isaac could not transfer the blessing given to Jacob to Esau
(Gen. 27:35). “Repentance”, it was not making Isaac repent, but means that Esau
could not change that even though he repented with tears ---- the lost
birthright could not be found again.
Heb. 12:18 “For you have not come to
the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness
and darkness and tempest,”
YLT:
“For ye came not near to the mount touched and scorched with fire, and to
blackness, and darkness, and tempest,”
Meaning
of Words: “come”: approach, draw near; “be touched”: handle, feel after; “blackness”:
gloom; “darkness”: obscurity, shadiness;
Literal
Meaning: “for you have not come to the mountain that may be touched”, “the mountain that
may be touched” refers to the
“And that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness
and tempest”, “fire”, for at that time
Jehovah came upon the mountain in fire and the whole mountain covered with
darkness (Ex. 19:18), which showed that God is a consuming fire (see v.29),
burning all that is not holy; “blackness”, the thick clouds that made the whole
mount black (Deut. 4:11);
“darkness”: thick darkness
(Deut. 4:11; 5:22). It is revealed in the Scriptures that God dwells in the
thick darkness (1King 8:12);
“tempest”, the storm with
thunder and lightning (Ex. 19:16; 20:18), which shows that no one can stand
before God.
Heb. 12:19 “and the sound of a
trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word
should not be spoken to them anymore.”
YLT:
“and a sound of a trumpet, and a voice of sayings, which those having heard did
entreat that a word might not be added to them,”
Meaning
of Words: “beg”: entreat, reject,
make excuse; “anymore”: increase, give more, lay unto;
Literal
Meaning: “the sound of a trumpet and the voice of
words”, at that time, when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and became
louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice (Ex. 19:19);
“the sound of the trumpet” showed that God would come (Ex. 19:16, 20); “the
voice of words” means the voice that God spoke to the Israelites (Deut. 4:12).
“So that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to
them anymore”, it is recorded in the Book of Deuteronomy (5:23-26). At that
time, all the heads of the tribes and elders came near to Moses and said, “if
we hear the voice of Jehovah our God any more, we shall die”.
Heb. 12:20 “(For they could not
endure what was commanded: "And if so much as a beast touches the
mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow."”
YLT:
“for they were not bearing that which is commanded, `And if a beast may touch
the mountain, it shall be stoned, or with an arrow shot through,'”
Meaning
of Words: “endure”: bear; “touch”: handle;
Literal
Meaning: “for they could not endure what was
commanded”, “could not endure”: unable to bear…; “what was commanded”: the
requirements in the law;
“And if so much as a beast touched the mountain, it shall be stoned or
shot with an arrow”, no matter human beings or beasts, anyone who draws near to
the mountain, he or it shall not live (Ex. 19:12-13).
Heb. 12:21 “And so terrifying was the
sight that Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling." )”
YLT:
“and, (so terrible was the sight,) Moses said, `I am fearful exceedingly, and
trembling.'”
Meaning
of Words: “terrifying”: extremely
frightening, awesome, formidable; “afraid”: sore
afraid, exceedingly fear; “trembling”: terrified;
Literal
Meaning: “and so terrifying was the sight that Moses
said”, “terrifying”, it indicated that the sight the
“That Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling””, “afraid”: it
is the internal feeling; “trembling”: it is the external attitude;
Heb. 12:22 “But you have come to
YLT:
“But, ye came to
Literal
Meaning: “but you have come to
“Come to
“And to the city of the living God, the heavenly
“To an innumerable company of angels”, “angels” are ministering spirits
(see 1:14); “an innumerable company of angels” and “the church of the
firstborn” (see v.23) constitute the two groups in the heaven.
Heb. 12:23 “to the general assembly
and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of
all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,”
YLT:
“to the company and assembly of the first-born in heaven enrolled, and to God
the judge of all, and to spirits of righteous men made perfect,”
Meaning
of Words: “register”: enroll, write off; “the firstborn”: firstbegotten; “church”: a
calling-out, assembly; “general assembly”: the assembly of all; “made perfect”:
be fulfilled, consummate;
Literal
Meaning: “to the general assembly and church of the
firstborn who are registered in heaven”, “who are registered in heaven”: those
whose names are listed in the book of life (Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 20:15; 21:27; Ps.
69:28; Luke 10:20); “the firstborn”: they have enjoyed the right of the
firstborn, for they are united with Christ “who is the firstborn of all”. It
includes all those who have faith in the New Testament (see 11:39-40); “the
church of the firstborn”: the gathering of those who are called by God
(including the Old Testament and the New Testament).
“The general assembly”, it means the great gathering in feasts. Here it
refers to the grand gathering in the heaven of both the innumerable angels and
the church of the firstborn. Here, the innumerable angels (see v.22) and the
church of the firstborn, as two groups in the heavenly gathering, are the
second group.
“To God
the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect”, “God the Judge of all”: He is the righteous God (see Gen. 18:25;
Acts 17:31); “to
the spirits of just men made perfect”,
the spirits of saints who are justified by God; here, God the Judge of all and
the spirits of just men made perfect are the third group, emphasizing that
“righteousness” abides in the eternal world forever (see 2Pet. 3:13).
Heb. 12:24 “to Jesus the Mediator of
the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than
that of Abel.”
YLT:
“and to a mediator of a new covenant -- Jesus, and to blood of sprinkling,
speaking better things than that of Abel!”
Meaning
of Words:
“better”: excellent, stronger;
Literal
Meaning: “to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant,
and to the blood of sprinkling”, “the Mediator of the new covenant”, it means
that the lamb who is slain is always the mediator for us before God in the
heaven (see 7:24-25; Rev. 5:6); “the blood of sprinkling”, it indicates that the blood that Jesus shed had
the eternal effect of redemption (see 9:12; Rev. 5:9). Here, Jesus and His
blood are the fourth group, emphasizing that both of them always “speak” for us
before God.
“That speaks better things than that of Abel”, the blood of Abel was the
voice cried to God from the ground to revenge according to the righteousness of
God and send punishment to the one who killed him (Gen. 4:8-11). The blood of
the Lord Jesus is the voice that God shall give favor to men to remit. Besides,
His blood does not condemn us. Therefore, it speaks of better things.
Heb. 12:25 “See that you do not
refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on
earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from
heaven,”
YLT:
“See, may ye not refuse him who is speaking, for if those did not escape who
refused him who upon earth was divinely speaking -- much less we who do turn
away from him who from heaven,”
Meaning
of Words: “see”: take care, watch; “refuse”: reject, beg off, avoid; “escape”: flee
away, run away, vanish; “turn away”: disappear, vanish away; “speak”: preach,
utter;
Literal
Meaning: “see that you do not refuse Him who speaks”,
“Him who speaks” refers to God (see v.5). He is a God that speaks (see 1:1-2).
“For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth”, “who
spoke on earth”, it refers to the commands of God in the Old Testament preached
by the angels and men (see 2:2).
“Much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from
heaven”, “Him who speaks from heaven”: the direct commands of the Holy Trinity
in the New Testament;
Heb. 12:26 “whose voice then shook
the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not
only the earth, but also heaven."”
YLT:
“whose voice the earth shook then, and now hath he promised, saying, `Yet once
-- I shake not only the earth, but also the heaven;'”
Meaning
of Words: “then”: at that time; “shake”: stir up, wave; “only”: merely, alone;
Literal
Meaning: “whose voice then shook the earth”, “then”:
when the law of the Old Testament was given on the
“But now He has promised, saying”, the following words are quoted from
the Book of Haggai (2:6, 21).
“Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven”, “shake” is
for the purpose of moving away (see v.27). The Lord Jesus prophesizes that the
powers of heavens in the last days shall be shaken (Matt. 24:29; Mark 13:25;
Luke 21:26), and finally “the first earth and the first earth” would pass away
(Rev. 21:1).
Heb. 12:27 “Now this, "Yet once
more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of
things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.”
YLT:
“and this -- `Yet once' -- doth make evident the removal of the things shaken,
as of things having been made, that the things not shaken may remain;”
Meaning
of Words: “indicate”: show, express; “remain”: stay, abide, keep;
Literal
Meaning: “now this, ‘Yet once more’, indicates … that
are being shaken”, “being shaken”: the heaven and the earth shall be shaken
(see v.26);
“The removal of those things … as of things that are made”, “things that
are made”, all the elements of the old creation in the heaven and on the earth;
“the removal”: be destroyed and dissolves and burnt with heat (see 1:11-12;
2Pet. 3:10);
“That the things which cannot be shaken may remain”, “things which
cannot be shaken” refer to the new heaven the new earth and righteousness that
dwells therein (see 2Pet. 3:13).
Heb. 12:28 “Therefore, since we are
receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may
serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.”
YLT:
“wherefore, a kingdom that cannot be shaken receiving, may we have grace,
through which we may serve God well-pleasingly, with reverence and religious
fear;”
Meaning
of Words: “not be shaken”: unshakeable,
immovable; “reverence”: bashfulness, awe,
shamefacedness; “godly fear”: adoration; “serve”: minister, worship;
Literal
Meaning: “therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom
which cannot be shaken”, “a kingdom which cannot be shaken” refers to the
“Let us have grace”: let us possess and keep such grace of kingdom.
“By which we may serve God acceptably with
reverence and godly fear”, “God acceptably”: according to the will of God (see
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “Since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken”, we cannot bring
shakable things into this kingdom. Therefore, today we have to examine
ourselves to see how many moveable things there are in us and deal with them as
soon as possible.
2) “We may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear”, it is the way to value and possess the
grace. Having grace is not manifested in oral praise, but also in the godly
life and spirit of serving God.
Heb. 12:29 “For our God is a
consuming fire.”
YLT:
“for also our God a consuming fire.”
Meaning
of Words: “consuming”: consume utterly,
burn up;
Literal
Meaning: “our God”, it carries the following
meanings: 1) He is the God whom we believe; 2) God belongs to us; 3) God is the
God who feeds and takes cares of us, and has deep expectations and demands on
us.
“God is
a consuming fire”, there are double
aspects of meaning: 1) the judgment of God is terrible and fearful. 2) All that
goes against God’s holy nature will be consumed by Him.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Be not deceived: God is not mocked (Gal.
6:7). If we refuse Him who speaks from heaven (see v.25), we will surely be
wounded by the consuming fire.
2) In the last days, all the elements shall be
burnt with heat and be dissolved. Therefore, we ought to be in holy
conversation and godliness and seek things that dwell forever (see 2Pet.
3:10-13).
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Race That
is Set before
Us
A. A cloud of witnesses (see Chap.11) encompass
us (v.1) ---- encouraging us to run ahead like the cheering squads;
B. Many weights encumber us (v.1) ---- making
us run slow;
C. Many wickedness entangles (v.1) ---- making
our feet stumbled;
D. Weariness encounters us (v.3) ---- making us
give up;
E. Winners encourages us (v.2) ---- renewing us
strength;
The Path of Christians
A. The example of the Savior ---- looking unto Jesus, the
author and finisher of our faith
(v.1-3);
B. The experience of the children ---- the
chastening of the fathers(v.4-6);
C. The endurance of the saints ---- that we may be partakers of His
holiness (v.7-11);
D. The entreaty of the servants ---- pursuit
with diligence (v.12-17);
E. The encouragement of the shepherds ---- we
have come to
Reasons Why Believers Have to Endure
Chastening
A. For chastening is according to the teachings
of the Scriptures (v.5);
B. For whom the LORD loves He chastens (v.6);
C. For what we endure is the chastening of God
(v.7);
D. For chastening is for the partakers (v.8);
E. For chastening makes us be partakers of His
holiness (v.9-10);
F. For chastening yields the peaceable fruit of
righteousness to those who have been trained by it (v.11);
Comparisons between Two Sorts of Discipline
A. The chastening of the human fathers:
1. We respect him (v
2. It is only for “a few” days (v
3. Chasten as seemed best to the children
(v.10b);
B. The chastening of the Father of spirits:
1. we shall be in subjection to Him and live
(v.9b);
2. “Afterward” (v.11) ---- influence the
future;
3. For our profit (v.10b);
Profits of Being Chastened by God
A. Live because of subjection (v.9);
B. Be partakers of His holiness (v.10);
C. Yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness
(v.11);
The Great Responsibilities and Dangers for
Believers in the New Testament
A. Great responsibilities:
1. To men ---- pursue peace with all people (v
2. To oneself ---- pursue holiness (v.14b);
3. To God ---- let us have grace, by which we
may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear (v.28);
B. Great danger:
1. Lest anyone fall short of the grace of God
(v
2. Lest any root of bitterness springing up
cause trouble (v.15b);
3. Lest there be any fornicator or profane
person like Esau (v.16);
4. Lest be judged by the fire of God (v.25,
29);
The Old Testament Which is Fearful and the
New Testament Which is Worthy of Boast
A. Seven fearful conditions that Christians
have never experienced:
1. The mountain can be touched (v.18);
2. Be surrounded by fire (v.18);
3. Be covered by thick clouds (v.18);
4. Be wrapped in darkness (v.18);
5. Be in the tempest (v.18);
6. Be warned by the sound of trumpet (v.19);
7. The voice of words, that was command men
could not endure (v.19-20);
B. Eight conditions worthy of boast that Christians
are able to experience:
1. Come to
2. Come to the city of the living
God, the heavenly
3. To an innumerable company of angels (v.22);
4. To the general assembly and church of the
firstborn who are registered in heaven (v.23);
5. To God Judge of all (v.23);
6. To the spirits of just men made perfect
(v.23);
7. To Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant
(v.24);
8. To the blood of sprinkling that speaks
better things than that to Abel (v.24);
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou