Hebrews 12:7

Hebrews 12:7 (Revised Version)

I. The word endureis no tame word. It means something widely different from insensibility, or proud defiance. Stoicism is no Christian virtue. Obstinate and contemptuous superiority to pain has no place here. This may possibly save a waste of passion in the sufferer; it may impress; it may win admiration. But all that kind of thing is far remote from the writer's thought. He drops very impressive hints about the afflictions of these Hebrews, and about the example of Christ. Christ endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him, counting its pain and its shame as light, trivial, in comparison with that. His holy soul had adequate solace and stay all through that immeasurable anguish; mental reasons mastered the flesh: spiritual considerations sustained Him that were far mightier to support than the cross to overthrow. The Hebrews, too, were exercised, much exercised, in their afflictions, and the exercise, like a Divine alchemy, was turning every constituent of distress into gold.

II. Questions arise here that admit of only one answer. (1) Who doubts the need of chastening? Sin in one or other of its myriad forms has aggravated all the imperfections of inexperience, so that we require far surer correction and direction than a childhood and youth of innocence had ever called for. (2) Who doubts the spirit in which this chastening is inflicted? Dictated by love, directed by wisdom, aimed at the highest ends, it has every quality to keep us alike from despising it or fainting under it. (3) Who is not driven to rigorous self-examination? There is no talismanic power in afflictions, in pains and penalties, that of itself can correct and transform. Chastening calls for thought, for reflection, for faithful survey of our life, with its temper, aims, and spirit. (4) Who does not rejoice in the advance of correction and growth? "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but since have I kept Thy word."

G. B. Johnson, The Beautiful Life of Christ,p. 166.

References: Hebrews 12:7. F. W. Farrar, Christian World Pulpit,vol xxvi.,p. 321.Hebrews 12:8. T. R. Stevenson, Ibid.,vol. xvi., p. 412.Hebrews 12:9. H. Melvill, Penny Pulpit,No. 2987. Hebrews 12:10. E. de Pressensé, The Mystery of Suffering,p. 55; J. Vaughan, Sermons,12th series, p. 92.Hebrews 12:11. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. ix., No. 528; Ibid., Evening by Evening,p. 139; R. D. B. Rawnsley, Village Sermons,1st series, p. 238; H. W. Beecher, Christian World Pulpit,vol. iii., p. 10.