Hebrews 12 - Introduction

This chapter contains an application of the doctrine, declared and confirmed in the foregoing chapter, unto the use of the Hebrews. Doctrine and use were the apostle's method; and must, at least virtually, be theirs also who regard either sense, or reason, or experience, in their preaching. It would be an uncouth sermon that should be without doctrine and use. And there are three general parts of the chapter:

1. A pressing of the exhortation in hand from the testimonies before insisted on, with new additional motives, encouragements, and directions, unto the end of the 11th verse.

2. A direction unto especial duties, necessary unto a due compliance with the general exhortation, and subservient unto its complete observance, Hebrews 12:12-17.

3. A new cogent argument unto the same purpose, taken from a comparison between the two states, of the law and the gospel, with their original, nature, and effects; unto the end of the chapter.

In the first general part, or enforcement of the exhortation, there are four things:

1. The deduction of it from the foregoing instances and examples, Hebrews 12:1.

2. The confirmation of it from the consideration of Christ himself, and his sufferings, Hebrews 12:2-3.

3. The same is pressed from their known duty, Hebrews 12:4. And,

4. From the nature of the things which they were to undergo in their patient perseverance, as far as they were afflictive; with the certain advantages and benefits which they should receive by them, Hebrews 12:5-11.