HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 12:1 CLOUD OF WITNESSES. The OT heroes of the faith in ch. Hebrews 11:1. “Witnesses” may have a double meaning: (1) These OT heroes witnessed to their faith by their words and lives. (2) Like spectators watching an athletic contest in an arena, they may now be watching or “wi... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 12:2 FOUNDER. See note on 2:10. PERFECTER. Christ’s perfection leads to the perfection of his people. This will be realized fully on the last day (see note on 11:39–40). FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM ENDURED. The promise of future reward and joy gave Jesus strength to s... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 12:3 CONSIDER HIM. Jesus (v. Hebrews 12:2). Many of the readers could identify with the HOSTILITY shown to Jesus (see Hebrews 10:32; Hebrews 13:3), though on a lesser scale (Hebrews 12:4). WEARY OR FAINTHEARTED. See v. Hebrews 12:5. [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 12:4 NOT YET RESISTED TO THE POINT OF SHEDDING YOUR BLOOD contrasts with Jesus’ endurance of the cross (v. Hebrews 12:2). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 12:5 Verses Hebrews 12:5 cite Proverbs 3:11. DISCIPLINE was a common term for raising children through instruction, training, and correction. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 12:12 Using poetic language (perhaps drawn from Isaiah and Proverbs 1:1) the author encourages his readers to endure in the race they are running (see v. Hebrews 12:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 12:14 PEACE WITH EVERYONE. See Romans 12:18; Romans 14:19; 2 Corinthians 13:11. HOLINESS is part of the faithful endurance that is encouraged throughout Hebrews 1:1. ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 12:15 ROOT OF BITTERNESS. An echo of Deuteronomy 29:18, which describes one who turns away from God and pursues other gods. Bitterness and resentment are like a contagious poison that spreads to others. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, l... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 12:16 ESAU is called UNHOLY, probably for rejecting his birthright (Genesis 25:33). SEXUALLY IMMORAL. Perhaps refers to Genesis 26:34; Genesis 28:6. AFTERWARD, WHEN HE DESIRED TO INHERIT THE BLESSING, HE WAS REJECTED. Esau later wanted the inheritance he had rejected (Genesis [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 12:18 Israel’s experience at Mount Sinai (especially Exodus 19:12; Exodus 20:18; Deuteronomy 18:16) shows the Mosaic covenant’s greatness. MOSES SAID, “I TREMBLE WITH FEAR.” This is from Deuteronomy 9:19. There Moses feared God might destroy Israel after their worship of the... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 12:22 YOU HAVE COME TO MOUNT ZION. This phrase draws on extensive OT imagery of a new Zion/Jerusalem (Psalms 2:6; Psalms 110:2; Isaiah 62:6; see “city” in Hebrews 11:10, Hebrews 11:16; Hebrews 13:14; see also... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 12:23 ASSEMBLY OF THE FIRSTBORN. “Firstborn” is plural in Greek. Jesus was previously called _the_ firstborn Son (Hebrews 1:6). Here his followers are also granted an inheritance as if they were also firstborn sons (Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 2:10; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:5). enr... [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 12:24 MEDIATOR. See note on 9:15. SPRINKLED BLOOD. See Hebrews 9:11, Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 10:19, Hebrews 10:22, Hebrews 10:29; Hebrews 13:12 [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 12:25 THEY DID NOT ESCAPE applies especially to the exodus generation (vv. Hebrews 12:18, Hebrews 12:26), who rejected the voice of the one who spoke (Hebrews 3:7; see also Hebrews 4:2; Hebrews 10:28). MUCH LESS WILL WE ESCAPE. Most commentators believe this refers to [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 12:26 AT THAT TIME. At Mount Sinai (v. Hebrews 12:19). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
HEBREWS—NOTE ON HEBREWS 12:28 ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP includes showing REVERENCE AND AWE for God’s holiness. It also includes respecting God as a king and a judge to whom alone worship is due (see the context of Deuteronomy 4:24, quoted here). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for... [ Continue Reading ]