Hebrews 12:3,4 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

For consider him Draw the comparison and think; the Lord bore all this, and shall his servants bear nothing? If he suffered, if he endured such things, why should not we do so also? If he, though so great, so excellent, so infinitely exalted above us; yet endured such contradiction of sinners Such grievous things, both in words and deeds, from his enemies; against himself Ought not we to do so too, if called to it? Consider this; lest ye be wearied By the greatness and length of your trials and sufferings; and faint in your minds Lest your hearts should fail you, and you should draw back, partially or totally, from the profession of the gospel. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood Your sufferings are far short of those which Christ endured. He grants that they had met with many sufferings already, but their enemies had been so restrained that they had not proceeded to take their lives, or to inflict wounds and bruises upon their bodies. By which the apostle intimates two things: 1st, That those who are engaged in the profession of the gospel have no security that they shall not be called to the utmost and last sufferings, by laying down their lives on account of it; and 2d, That whatever befalls us on this side martyrdom, is to be looked on as a fruit of divine tenderness and mercy. Striving against sin Or against violent and injurious persons, and in opposing men's wicked practices, and your own sinful inclinations, lusts, and passions.