Hebrews 12:4.— The apostle having encouraged the Hebrews by the examples of others who had patiently suffered for truth and holiness, especially that of Christ, now adds, that they were not yet called out to suffer to the death, and they ought to look on their sufferings as chastisements of a father's hand, and patiently endure them for two reasons; both because every father corrects his children, and because God designed to promote their welfare by chastising them. If others did not faint, when they suffered to the death in the cause of truth and holiness, much less should the Hebrew Christians faint, when they were not called to resist unto blood, or to lay down their lives for the gospel.
Ye have not yet resisted, &c.— "Your case, trying as it may seem to you, does not come up to that of your Saviour: you have not yet resisted in the contests for Christ's religion so far as to lose your lives. Though wicked men have troubled you, and you have endured much struggling, in opposing their wickedness, yet hitherto your lives have been safe." Several commentators have observed, that there are many Agonistical terms in this context. The passage before us may allude to the boxers, who fought erect, with their hands stretched out, and were often not only besmeared with blood, but sometimes killed by the blows of the cestus.