College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Hebrews 12:4-13
B.
Perils threatening the life of faith. Hebrews 12:4-17.
1.
Failure to respond to chastening. Hebrews 12:4-13.
Text
Hebrews 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin: Hebrews 12:5 and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons.
My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord.
Nor faint when thou art reproved of Him;
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth,
And scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.
Hebrews 12:7 It is for chastening that ye endure; God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father chasteneth not?
Hebrews 12:8 But if ye are without chastening, whereof all have been made partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons. Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? Hebrews 12:10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them; but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Hebrews 12:11 All chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit unto them that have been exercised thereby, even the fruit of righteousness. Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands that hang down, and the palsied knees; Hebrews 12:13 and make straight paths for your feet, that which is lame be not turned out of the way, but rather be healed.
Paraphrase
Hebrews 12:4 Your sufferings are far short of those which Christ endured. For not yet hath the blood of any of you been shed in combating against your wicked persecutors.
Hebrews 12:5 Besides, have ye forgotten the exhortation in which God reasoneth with you as His children? My son, do not think lightly of the Lord's chastisement, as they do who regard affliction as things accidental; neither; through too quick a feeling of the chastisement, nor by considering it as a token of God's anger, fall into despair when thou are rebuked of Him.
Hebrews 12:6 Instead of being tokens of God's anger, afflictions are proofs of His love: For whom the Lord loveth He chastiseth, and sharply corrects for his faults every son whom He adopteth.
Hebrews 12:7 If then ye endure affliction, know that God behaveth towards you as His children, giving you such correction as must be of great advantage to you. For what legitimate son is there whom his father never punishes for his faults?
Hebrews 12:8 But if ye live without that chastisement whereof all the sons of God are partakers, certainly ye are treated as bastards whose education is no object of their father's care, and not as the genuine sons of God.
Hebrews 12:9 Further, we have had fathers of our bodies, who chastised us for our faults, and yet we loved and obeyed them: shall we not much rather, from affection and gratitude, be in subjection to the Father of our spirits, when He corrects us for our faults, to fit us for living with Him for ever?
Hebrews 12:10 This submission is due to the Father of our spirits, because He corrects us with more prudence and affection than our earthly fathers. For they verily, during the few days of our childhood, chastised us according to their own will governed by passion, but He always for our advantage, that we might partake of His holiness; it being necessary to our living with Him eternally, that we be holy.
Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastisement, indeed, whether from God or man, at the time it is inflicted, is the cause of joy, but of sorrow to be chastised: Nevertheless, afterwards, it gives as a reward the peaceful fruits of righteousness to them who are properly disciplined by it.
Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore, bring into the posture of action your arms which hang down, and your weakened knees; that is, vigorously exert your whole faculties in the conflict with affliction:
Hebrews 12:13 And by removing every temptation, make smooth paths for your feet, that if ye are infirm in any part, that which is lame may not be wholly dislocated by your falling, but rather strengthened by proper exercise.
Comment
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood
This means they have not fought the limit.
a.
Paul could say that he had.
1.
Acts 16:33: The jailor washed Paul's stripes.
2.
3.
4.
b.
Jesus could say that He had.
1.
Isaiah 53: With His stripes we are healed.
2.
The cross meant shedding blood for Him, although He did not resist the cross, but sin.
3.
Christ's resistance was against those who would have changed His course.
How simple are our hardships today in comparison to theirs.
unto blood
An ancient figure of speech concerning boxers may be alluded to here.
a.
Leather thongs containing pieces of metal were fastened to arms, etc.
b.
Fighters were often very bloody after a battle.
Many modern preachers are afraid of blood.
a.
They are afraid to preach against sin because it might make them unpopular.
b.
Some are afraid of loss of salary or loss of position.
Churches do not want bloody preachers.
a.
They want him to be loved and respected by all the denominational brethren.
b.
It is time to resist unto blood.
striving against sin
We are to hate evil, Psalms 97:10. Sin, says Vincent, is personified here. Fighting evil brought blood upon Jesus. Striving against sin brought blood to Stephen and James, but not to those who would read Hebrews.
and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons
The word for sons is adult sons, not infants.
a.
Infants cannot reason.
b.
Paternal reasoning is here called exhortation.
It is a joy to see infants grow up and enter into the parental councils.
a.
Too much of our trouble in churches is a result of spiritual infancy rather than mature thinking on the part of Christians.
b.
God desires to reason with us as sons old enough to be reasonable.
Some question whether this statement is an affirmation or a question.
a.
The American Standard Version expresses affirmation.
b.
Hebrews 12:12 rather suggests that some had forgotten, so this may be understood as an affirmation.
My son
A quote from Proverbs 3:11-12, It is a free quotation but an accurate one.
a.
It is to show a tender relationship that God has for us even though we are chastened.
b.
If God calls us a son, we ought to bear anything that comes our way.
regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord
Love and responsibility prompt chastening.
a.
Revelation 3:19: As many as I love I reprove and chasten.
1.
We do not ordinarily discipline other people's children.
2.
We are most concerned with those we love most.
b.
Ephesians 6:4 teaches responsibility. Chastening has wonderful value for us.
a.
A thorn kept Paul humble. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
b.
Trials work patience. James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3.
c.
Enduring of temptation brings a crown of life. James 1:12.
d.
It yields peaceable fruit. Hebrews 12:11.
e.
It brings eternal glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17.
nor faint when thou art reproved of Him
We are not to cower like an abused dog. Reproof is for improvement.
a.
2 Timothy 3:16 Every scripture is profitablefor correction.
b.
Romans 5:3: We also rejoice in our tribulations.
c.
2 Corinthians 4:17: For our light affliction which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory.
Is all affliction of God?
a.
It does not come directly. James 1:12-13 says God tempts no one.
b.
Paul's thorn was spoken of as a messenger of Satan. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
c.
God allows the devil to tempt us and try us, as he did Job.
for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth
Does He not chasteneth the ungodly too?
a.
There is a difference in punishment, for theirs will be eternal.
b.
The sun shines on the just and the unjust, so the wicked receive chastening.
How does He chasten the loved ones?
a.
Peter answers, trial. 1 Peter 1:6; 1 Peter 4:6.
b.
Paul found a thorn in the flesh. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
c.
Through enduring temptation, says James. James 1:12.
d.
Through suffering, says Peter. 1 Peter 5:10.
God can turn it to good if we love Him. Romans 8:28.
God will not allow us to be tempted above what we are able to endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Let us not be like Cain who said it was greater than he could bear. Genesis 4:13.
and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth
No child of God should expect to enter heaven without passing through the furnace of affliction.
Paul said, With much tribulation, we enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22.
God's afflictions are paternal in nature only when we submit to Him.
a.
For the ungodly, it is fate or chance.
b.
For the Christian, it is a lesson to be learned from God.
it is for chastening that ye endure
Also translated endure unto chastening, if ye endure chastening. Alford says, It is not for punishment, not for any evil purpose; you are under the attention and affection of the Father.
God dealeth with you as with sons for what son is there whom his father chasteneth not?
He reasons from the common practice of men, that it is not right that God's children should be exempt. Proper discipline leads to proper conduct.
but if ye are without chastening whereof all have been made partakers, then are ye bastards and not sons
This rather makes one tremble, who has such an easy time in life compared to those in Chapter Eleven.
a.
Which of us has suffered?
b.
How easy we Christian people live in these United States!
c.
We begin to wonder whether we might be illegitimate offspring.
Feel encouraged by chastening, for it is evidence of your true sonship.
furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence; shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits and live?
We gave them reverence if we were trained properly.
a.
Parents who allow their children to abuse them do the child an injustice.
b.
No reverence exists if the child pouts and grouches, Observe how insistent God is on respect of children for parents.
Ephesians 6:1-2: Obey your parents in the Lord.
a.
It is a commandment, which is the first commandment with promise.
b.
Failure brought severe judgment. Hebrews 6:3.
c.
Compare the law of Moses. Deuteronomy 21:20.
The Father of spirits deserves reverence, and upon it we will deserve to live.
a.
Father of spirits is also translated Father of our Spirit.
b.
The spirit comes from God and goes back to Him at death. See Ecclesiastes 12:7.
c.
Parental obedience was essential to life under the old covenant, and Heavenly Father reverence is essential to life now.
for they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed good to them
Here temporary parental chastening is contrasted with loving discipline of God. At best, it is earthly chastening for a brief span of our life.
but He for our profit
Chastening does good. It is for our profit, not God'S. Observe the many exhortations to endure chastening. Romans 5:3; Romans 12:12; 2 Corinthians 7:4; 1 Peter 4:13; 1 Peter 4:19.
that we may be partakers of His holiness
God expects holiness, and this is the way He gets it.
a.
1 Peter 3:13-17: Be ye holy.
b.
Revelation 22:11: He that is holy, let him be made holy still.
True Christians are holy.
a.
1 Peter 2:9: Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood.
b.
Hebrews 12:23: Ye are come to the spirits of just men made perfect.
c.
Hebrews 3:1: Wherefore, holy brethren.
all chastening seemeth for the present to be not joyous but grievous
At the time it is severe, but it brings a person to be obedient. We are like children. We shun the rod even when we need it, and know we deserve it.
yet afterward it yieldeth peaceable fruit
A person who is selfish is spoiled, cantankerous, and far from being peaceable.
Let us not be hard-hearted, but enter into the discipline with surrender and joy. This is the proper spirit for us to have.
unto them that have been exercised thereby
They were to be trained by it, is the Greek meaning.
Examples of it working in men's lives:
a.
Paulthorn in the flesh.
b.
David2 Samuel 12:1-23; 2 Samuel 16:9-14.
c.
JobJob 42:7-8.
We should enter into chastening with surrender and joy.
even the fruit of righteousness
Galatians 5:22. The fruit of the spirit is meant here.
If we are disciplined right by our attitude, we will produce right.
wherefore, lift up the hands that hang down and the palsied knees
A quotation from Isaiah 35:3.
a.
Here is the figure of weary travelers.
b.
Perhaps one is worn with sickness, fatigue.
c.
Weakness is pictured.
In the light of the good things concerning chastening, weak knees and powerless hands should be made strong.
a.
The happiest people are sometimes invalids.
b.
The most miserable are sometimes millionaires with money, health and prestige.
Extend hands of glad service, and walk joyfully in spite of all hardships.
and make straight paths for your feet
This sounds like John the Baptist, Matthew 3:3.
It sounds like Isaiah 40:3.
Take the straight way, not the rough, crooked way, The person who has prepared himself to endure evils goes on in a straight way.
that they which are lame
The journey out of the way is so much more difficult for those who are strong, Elijah put up this proposition. 1 Kings 18:21. We can picture a group traveling on foot; some are weak and lame.
a.
The strong and courageous ought to make a smooth, straight journey for the sake of the weak.
b.
Many a church is defeated by some half-hearted elder who says, I don-'t think we can do it.
be not turned out of the way
This may also be translated, put out of joint, or lest halting should grow worse.
Becoming feeble for awhile may result in a complete loss.
a.
We do not go bad all at once, but by degrees.
b.
When led into a diverse path, many remain entangled.
but rather be healed
What is the healing?
a.
Renewed faith. Appreciation for chastening has healing power in it.
b.
It is faith such as the old patriarchs had that gives strength, Why be feeble, wayward, and downcast when healing may be had?
Study Questions
2476.
Who has resisted unto blood?
2477.
How many of us suffer for Christ?
2478.
Have we fought a bloody battle?
2479.
Did Paul resist unto blood? How many times?
2480.
Was it prophesied that Jesus would?
2481.
Unto blood may refer to what ancient custom?
2482.
What may the blood refer to? Is it literal or figurative?
2483.
Are preachers afraid of blood today?
2484.
Describe the bloody gladiators.
2485.
Do churches want a bloody preacher or one popular with the denominations?
2486.
What will make the striving preacher bloody?
2487.
Where will we find sin personified as our opponent?
2488.
Is all sin to be found in the world?
2489.
Is the word sons inclusive of children in its idea?
2490.
Can infants reason with the logic of this book?
2491.
Is there some special exhortation forgotten by them? Where is it found?
2492.
Who is doing the exhortation which is a reasoning one?
2493.
If God calls us sons, what ought we to do?
2494.
What degree of attention should we give to chastening?
2495.
Does the Lord chasten us? Cf. Revelation 3:19.
2496.
Who does a father chasten, his or the neighbors-' children?
2497.
What two things felt by a father in his heart cause him to be willing to chasten?
2498.
Is there value in being chastened?
What did Paul hear from God?
What do trials work?
What will endurance bring, according to James 1:12?
What does it yield? Hebrews 12:11.
What is its eternal reward? Cf. 2 Corinthians 4:17.
2499.
Should we cower before God like an abused animal?
2500.
What is reproof for if not for improvement?
2501.
Is the preacher to reprove?
2502.
Is all affliction of God? Cf. James 1:12-13.
2503.
Was Paul's thorn from God? Cf. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
2504.
Who afflicted Job?
2505.
What is the difference between the chastening of the wicked and righteous?
2506.
If God doesn-'t send it, how can it be said that He chastens us?
2507.
Who in the early history of man complained of his chastening?
2508.
Whom does God chasten?
2509.
What is the difference in attitude of the chastened wicked ones, and righteous people?
2510.
What does God do to those whom He loves?
2511.
Does He chasten the evil ones too?
2512.
What is the difference?
2513.
Can God use evil for good purposes? Cf. Romans 8:28.
2514.
Should we expect to gain heaven without some chastening?
2515.
Give a different translation of Hebrews 12:7.
2516.
Are we to endure chastening, or is it for chastening that we endure?
2517.
In what relationship does God deal with us in Hebrews 12:7?
2518.
If earthly fathers need to discipline children, should we expect it from our divine Father?
2519.
What is evidence of our true sonship?
2520.
If you have had it easy, what questions might you ask?
2521.
Who is meant by, We?
2522.
What is meant, father of our flesh?
2523.
Who is the Father of our spirits?
2524.
Does God teach respect for earthly parents?
2525.
How much emphasis does He give?
2526.
What was a parent to do to a child that would not respond?
2527.
Could much juvenile delinquency be ended if we practiced the teachings of the Old Testament?
2528.
Is there a plan that is better?
2529.
What conclusion is drawn after his discussion of reverence to earthly parents?
2530.
What is his point in the time discussed?
2531.
Who thinks discipline is good, the child or the parent?
2532.
Can we act more mature than children?
2533.
Is there to be something gained from chastening?
2534.
What is to be developed in us by chastening?
2535.
For what ought the Christian to suffer? Cf. 1 Peter 4:13; 1 Peter 4:19.
2536.
What is holiness?
2537.
Were the Hebrews holy? Cf. Hebrews 3:1.
2538.
How can holiness be obtained by chastening?
2539.
Do people shun the rod, according to Hebrews 12:11?
2540.
Is there danger in seeking discipline?
2541.
How do people take chastening at the moment?
2542.
Tell how heathens bring pain upon themselves?
2543.
Did heathens chasten themselves at Mount Carmel?
2544.
What does good discipline yield?
2545.
Are spoiled people peaceable?
2546.
Why is good spoken of as fruit while evil is spoken of as works?
2547.
What is meant by exercised thereby?
2548.
What does hands that hang down refer to?
2549.
Where is the original expression found?
2550.
What is the figure?
2551.
Is this an exhortation to do good to others or an exhortation to self?
2552.
Why do hands hang down? Is this not the place for them?
2553.
Tell of Moses-' tired hands.
2554.
Define palsied knees.
2555.
Tell of others who used the same language as Hebrews 12:13.
2556.
What does straight mean?
2557.
Can you turn aside to evil and still walk straight?
2558.
Is this the same word as Matthew 3:3?
2559.
Tell who the word lame refers to.
2560.
What kind of a picture is to be represented by these figures?
2561.
Is there any responsibility beyond self taught in this verse?
2562.
What is the alternate translation of turned out of the way?
2563.
What is the danger of feebleness and lameness?
2564.
What is the method of healing?
2565.
Does chastening help?
2566.
Is there any need for being lame when we have healing available?
2567.
Would you classify the members of your congregational fellowship as lame or strong?