Hebrews 12:1-29 - G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

After this rapid survey of the past, the writer makes his great appeal. It is that we "consider Him" who is "the Author and Perfecter of faith."

The final appeals of the Epistle fall into four sections. In the first two the causes of weakening faith are recognized (verses Heb 12:4-17). In the third we have an epitomized statement of the arguments of encouragement (verses Heb 12:18-24), and, finally, we have the last appeal and warning (verses Heb 12:25-29).

Dealing with their suffering, the writer rather reminded them that they had not yet "resisted unto blood." Glancing at the passage we notice these words, "chastening," "chasteneth," "chastening," "chasteneth," "chastening," "chasten," "chastened," "chastening." The repetition of the word is the insistence on the recognition of a principle. It suggests discipline which is a method of fatherhood, and, though a process of pain, a means to a glorious end. Another cause of failure may be disputes or differences, hence the injunction to "follow after peace... and... sanctification." Maintenance of peace always depends on the realization of sanctification in experience.

The writer graphically states the contrast between the old and the new economy in order to strengthen faith that may be wavering. The old was filled with majesty, as the descriptive phrases prove; but those who believe in Christ are not come to these things, but rather to Mount Zion, and the realm of spiritual realization.

The ultimate exhortation of the epistle then occurs. The Epistle opened with a declaration that God had spoken, and now the writer says, "See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh."

Related Commentaries of Hebrews 12:1

Hebrews 12:1-29

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,

2 Looking unto Jesus the authora 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.

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

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:

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

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?

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us afterb their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

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.

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

13 And make straightc paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

15 Looking diligently lest any man faild of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no placee of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are writtenf in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant,g and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

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:

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.

27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken,h as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

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:

29 For our God is a consuming fire.