22/01/17 Hebrews 12:1-11 “If we
suffer (for Him), we shall also reign with Him.”
Hebrews 12:1 – Wherefore seeing we
also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside
every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us
run with patience the race that is set before us,
This must be read with the second
half of the sentence (Vs 2) in mind.
cloud – cloud; a large dense multitude; a throng
witnesses – martus
(originally meant a witness, but came to mean those who have proved the
strength and genuineness of their faith in Christ by undergoing a violent death,
that is, martyrs). Here it probably refers to (or includes) the hall of faith
heroes we have been learning about in Hebrews 11.
Hebrews 11:40 (God having provided
some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.) suggests that they are awaiting the time of perfection
when all will be having their sabbath-rest. Those who
have finished the race will be waiting for the others to complete their races
also.
weight – burden. Athletes often ran without the burden of
clothes.
beset – skilfully surrounding, that is, besetting.
patience – steadfastness; constancy; endurance; steadfast waiting
for; in the New Testament – the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from
his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest
trials and sufferings.
race - an assembly; the
place of an assembly, especially games: stadium, arena. It can mean a fight or
a battle. Translated as “fight” in 2 Timothy 4:7 and “contention” in:
1 Thessalonians 2:2 – But even after that
we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi,
we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
Wherefore (therefore) seeing as we
are surrounded by such a throng of witnesses (including those who have gone
before, possibly also martyrs), let us put to one side our burdens (that slow
us down), and the sin (a violation of the divine law in thought or in act) that
so skilfully enfolds us, and let us run with steadfastness and endurance the
race (struggle, fight, battle) (as in a stadium) that is set before us.
1 Corinthians 9:24 – Know ye not that they
which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize?
So run, that ye may obtain.
2 Timothy 4:7 – I have fought a good fight,
I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith: (or “I have laboured fervently a good fight, I have
completed the course”)
Because we have so many watching
on to see how we run, let us therefore put aside everything that might hold us
back, and run a good race; fight the good fight!
Hebrews 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 is set down at the right
hand of the throne of God.
looking – to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on
something else. Similar to “had respect” in Hebrews 11:26, yet different term
used. We must look away from what we were first looking at and instead focus on
Jesus. A shift in the direction of our gaze. A looking away from distractions.
author – the chief leader; prince; one that takes the lead in anything
and thus affords an example; a predecessor in a matter; author. Translated as
“captain” in Hebrews 2:10 and “Prince” in Acts
3:15 (“And
killed the Prince of life”)
finisher – perfector. This Jesus is the Captain (who leads by
example) and Perfector of faith (the word “the” isn’t in the original).
This race we run, looking toward
Jesus, so that we might follow His example set for us, having run the race
already and now is seated on the right hand of the Father.
John 13:15 – For I have given you
an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
1 Peter 2:21 – For even hereunto
were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example,
that ye should follow his steps:
The “race” in Vs 1 signified more
of a struggle to make the end, a fight, and Vs 2 continues to enlarge on this.
Christ had joy (gladness) in anticipation of His final end, sitting on the
right hand of the Father and being our High Priest after the order of Melchisedec in heaven. However, between Him on earth and
His glory in heaven lay a massive battlefield, a life and death struggle
(literally) that included the cross and the resurrection. In order to reach
that “joy” that was set before Him, He had to endure the cross, despise (think
little or nothing of) the shame to which He was subjected, and the end result
is that He finally achieved that position of joy, being now seated on the right
hand of the throne of God. The Hebrews knew about such endurance; the writer
has already reminded them of it in Hebrews
10:32 – But
call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured
a great fight of afflictions;
Also Hebrews 2:9 – But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the
angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by
the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Hebrews 12:3 – For consider him that
endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and
faint in your minds.
The theme of endurance continues:
consider (think over; ponder) Him who endured such contradiction (opposition;
rebellion) of sinners (wicked men, specifically of men stained with certain
definite vices or crimes; tax collectors; heathen) against His person lest you
be wearied (grow sick; sickened) in your minds (psyche – the soul; the seat of the feelings, desires, affections,
aversions (our heart, soul etc.)
That is, be encouraged that you
aren’t the first to experience such opposition (and probably won’t be the last
one, either). Don’t let your tribulations get to you (that is, cause
depression, something the world today tries to term mental disease, but here it
is a spiritual issue).
1 Corinthians 10:13 – There hath no
temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful,
who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the
temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].
Hebrews 4:15 – For we have not an
high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but
was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.
Hebrew 12:4 – Ye have not yet
resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
You have not (yet) endured the
sufferings of Christ. You have not (yet) reached the blood-letting that comes
with martyrdom. They are being encouraged to ponder this this also, that they
haven’t reached this stage (yet) probably because they haven’t struggled or
fought fully against the sin that so easily besets them (Vs 1).
striving – antagonizomai
(strive against; struggle; fight) That is, to antagonise (sin).
This is not so much as a race as
it is a fight, a battle. The picture appears to be more like being in the arena
in front of a great crowd of witnesses, where you have to fight your way to the
winning post, yet risk injury or even death in your struggles.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 – 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not
as one that beateth the air: 27 But
I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any
means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
keep under – like a boxer one buffets his body, handle it roughly,
discipline by hardships. (Note that castaway is the word adokimos = reprobate.)
Hebrews 12:5 – And ye have forgotten
the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto
children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when
thou art rebuked of him:
And because they haven’t (yet)
dealt with their rebellion, they still need to be disciplined. This passage now
deals with that which is needed in order to better approach that stage of
striving against sin. They had completely forgotten (probably through other
distractions which they needed to get their eyes away from) the exhortation (paraklesis – admonition;
instruction) of God who speaks to them as His children. It is clear that the
Hebrews had been facing persecution, and that some may have already apostatised
back to their old covenant religion because it was safer. But this chapter so
far is talking about enduring such contradiction (opposition) in order to reach
the goal – their Sabbath-rest.
Romans 8:17-18 – 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and
joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may
be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the
sufferings of this present time [are] not worthy [to be compared] with
the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Do not despise (to care little
for; make light of; make of no account) the chastening (paideia – the training and educating of children by correcting
mistakes; applied to Christians as God’s children) of God, nor faint (relax;
grow weak or weary; become despondent; loathe) when you are rebuked (chastened;
corrected) by Him. Don’t try to ignore God’s discipline, nor give up or even
sulk when He corrects you.
Proverbs 3:11-12 – 11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither
be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a
father the son [in whom] he delighteth.
Hebrews 12:6 – For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
loveth – agapao (God’s special love)
scourgeth – from the root word “to chew” but here used spiritually.
That which draws blood – see “Ye have not resisted unto blood” (Vs 4)
For whom God has a special love
for as children, He also disciplines as children, and every son (child) he has
received into His family as one of His own. This discipline is the evidence of
belonging to God’s family and the demonstration of His special love.
Hebrews 12:7 – If ye endure
chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for
what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
If – this word differs depending on which manuscripts you are
studying. The textus receptus
would translate as above, while other manuscripts would translate more like “It
is for chastening that you endure”. However, the overall meaning is that we
endure chastening and God treats us as His children, with the two ideas
connected. The textus receptus
would suggest that God’s dealing with us as sons is dependent in some way upon
us enduring such chastening; that if we decide to endure less chastening, then
God deals less with us as sons. The last part of the verse appears to support
this: that if a father doesn’t chasten a child, then that child cannot be his
son. (See Vs 8 for further on this.) That is, what sort of a son would he be if
the father didn’t chasten him when it was necessary?
dealeth – to bring unto; to lead to; to bring a present or thing;
to hand something to someone; to deal with one. Translated “dealeth”
only once out of 48 occurrences.
Translated as “offer” 22 out of 48
occurrences:
Matthew 5:24 – Leave there thy gift
before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then
come and offer thy gift.
Thus, it has the idea of God
offering His chastening to us as sons.
The greatest of God’s faithful people
endured trials more than most, and still do.
2 Corinthians 11:23-27 – 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I [am]
more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more
frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five times received I
forty [stripes] save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with
rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have
been in the deep; 26 [In] journeyings
often, [in] perils of waters, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils
by [mine own] countrymen, [in] perils by the heathen, [in] perils
in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the
sea, [in] perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness
and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and
thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
2 Timothy 3:11-12 – 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch,
at Iconium, at Lystra; what
persecutions I endured: but out of [them] all the Lord delivered me. 12
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution.
It surely opposes the teaching
that if Christians don’t sin, then neither will they suffer (especially matters
of health and finances, apparently!).
Hebrews 12:8 – But if ye be without
chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards (illegitimate), and not
sons.
This is a simple statement of
logic: If all God’s children are partakers of His chastisement, and if you do
not receive His chastisement, then you are not really His children after all.
It’s very clearly stating that if Christians are not called to endure, or if
they decide not to endure,
then they cannot be called the children of God. Far too many who think they are
Christians also reject any idea of suffering for what they believe. It’s clear
that many such people may not be the children of God that they thought they
were!
Hebrews 12:9 – Furthermore we have
had fathers of our flesh which corrected [us], and we gave [them] reverence:
shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
The overwhelming attitude of today
is that children will grow up better the less they are actually disciplined;
that they have to experience rather than be taught! Certainly reasonable
discipline should engender more respect than no discipline.
fathers – pater (male
ancestor) Can also mean one who acts on behalf of the male parent. Generally
taken to mean the authority figure, so doesn’t specifically exclude mothers.
reverence – to be ashamed; to reverence a person.
2 Thessalonians 3:14 – And if any man obey
not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that
he may be ashamed.
be in subjection – to obey; to submit to one’s control; to yield to
admonition or advice; be subject. A Greek military term meaning "to
arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a
leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving
in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden". (Thayer)
the Father of spirits – to Patri ton pneumaton. I
think it has the idea of our spiritual father in contrast to “fathers of our
flesh”.
Thus, if we had respect for
earthly fathers who corrected us, shouldn’t we, to a much greater degree, place
ourselves under the authority of the Father of spirits (our spiritual Father),
with one significant consequence: we shall live!
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 – 19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, [that]
I have set before you life and death, blessing
and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20
That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, [and]
that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he [is] thy life, and
the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the
land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to
Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
Hebrews 12:10 – For they verily for a
few days chastened [us] after their own pleasure; but he for [our] profit,
that [we] might be partakers of his holiness.
pleasure – opinion; own thinking; to judge thus; it seems good to
me; it seemed right to me.
a few days – a short time
For the chastening by parents was indeed
(verily) for a limited time only, and was according to the opinion and
considerations of the parent, but God’s chastening is for our benefit so that
we would become partakers of (= partners in) God’s holiness. The idea is that
we become more like God as He chastens us.
Romans 8:29 – For whom he did
foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed
to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Which simply means that those who
were the elect according to God’s foreknowledge (1 Peter 1:2) were then
(consequent to God’s foreknowledge) predestinated
(predestined) to become like Christ through a rigorous training program which
the writer to the Hebrews has alluded to in our passage today. This training
program includes chastening in order to correct our faults. The whole process
may be called disciplining, which means training in order to produce a specific
character or pattern of behaviour.
We are to be holy as God is holy.
1 Peter 1:13-17 – 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and
hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation
of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning
yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But
as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of
conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am
holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of
persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass
the time of your sojourning [here] in fear:
Hebrews 12:11 – Now no chastening for
the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:
nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable
fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
grievous – pain; grief; annoyance; affliction.
Of course, no-one really likes to
be disciplined, and it is a general feeling (when being disciplined) that one
should be given the chance to learn without the pain. But, as they say, there’s
no gain without pain! No chastening seems pleasant while we are experiencing it;
in fact, it feels really painful (grievous). I’m sure that, whether or not we
think we deserved it, any chastening feels painful; it is usually more than an
annoyance; rather it is something more of an affliction. Even if we know we
deserved it, it doesn’t help reduce any of the pain. So, the affliction, pain
and grief hurt us. And if it had no purpose other than to cause affliction,
pain and grief, then it would be pointless.
This is what this verse is
pointing out, that without purpose there’d be no point to the chastening. And
yes, there is a purpose: for those who have had a vigorous session (exercised)
of chastening, the pain is only for a period of time, hopefully followed by the
desired consequence of becoming more right (righteous) with God. Now that which
causes conflict with God reduces our peace with Him. Man’s sinful nature (as a
result of Adam’s sin) produced an ongoing lack of peace with God for all
mankind. The old covenant was made (with Israel) in order to deal with this
barrier between God and man, and Israel was supposed to be a priesthood to the
nations. But this covenant could only cover up (atone for) the sin barrier.
However, when Christ died and rose
again, it made possible a new covenant that actually removed the barrier and
made it possible for man to come to peace with God through the reconciling work
done on the cross.
Ephesians 2:13-18 – 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are
made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace,
who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between
us]; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even]
the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in
himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace; 16 And
that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain
the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you
which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For
through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
The chastening (suffering, trials,
training) of God (and consequent persecution even) may not feel good – no
chastening is ever meant to feel good – but if endured correctly, it will
result in the righteousness of God in our lives which brings peace with Him
because of the cross. If only today’s “Christians” could realise this: that
unless they are prepared to suffer with Christ, then they may not either reign
with Him!
2 Timothy 2:9-12 – 9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, [even] unto
bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10 Therefore I
endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the
salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 [It
is] a faithful saying: For if we be dead with [him], we shall also
live with [him]: 12 If we suffer, we shall also
reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny
us:
Isaiah 32:17 – And the work of
righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and
assurance for ever.
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