Chapter 12:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Philemon James
Hebrews 12
Concise Complete
An exhortation to be constant and persevere, The
example of Christ is set forth, and the gracious design of God in all the
sufferings believers endured. (1-11) Peace and holiness are recommended, with
cautions against despising spiritual blessings. (12-17) The New Testament
dispensation shown to be much more excellent than the Old. (18-29)
Verses 1-11 The
persevering obedience of faith in Christ, was the race set before the Hebrews,
wherein they must either win the crown of glory, or have everlasting misery for
their portion; and it is set before us. By the sin that does so easily beset us,
understand that sin to which we are most prone, or to which we are most exposed,
from habit, age, or circumstances. This is a most important exhortation; for
while a man's darling sin, be it what it will, remains unsubdued, it will hinder
him from running the Christian race, as it takes from him every motive for
running, and gives power to every discouragement. When weary and faint in their
minds, let them recollect that the holy Jesus suffered, to save them from
eternal misery. By stedfastly looking to Jesus, their thoughts would strengthen
holy affections, and keep under their carnal desires. Let us then frequently
consider him. What are our little trials to his agonies, or even to our deserts?
What are they to the sufferings of many others? There is a proneness in
believers to grow weary, and to faint under trials and afflictions; this is from
the imperfection of grace and the remains of corruption. Christians should not
faint under their trials. Though their enemies and persecutors may be
instruments to inflict sufferings, yet they are Divine chastisements; their
heavenly Father has his hand in all, and his wise end to answer by all. They
must not make light of afflictions, and be without feeling under them, for they
are the hand and rod of God, and are his rebukes for sin. They must not despond
and sink under trials, nor fret and repine, but bear up with faith and patience.
God may let others alone in their sins, but he will correct sin in his own
children. In this he acts as becomes a father. Our earthly parents sometimes may
chasten us, to gratify their passion, rather than to reform our manners. But the
Father of our souls never willingly grieves nor afflicts his children. It is
always for our profit. Our whole life here is a state of childhood, and
imperfect as to spiritual things; therefore we must submit to the discipline of
such a state. When we come to a perfect state, we shall be fully reconciled to
all God's chastisement of us now. God's correction is not condemnation; the
chastening may be borne with patience, and greatly promote holiness. Let us then
learn to consider the afflictions brought on us by the malice of men, as
corrections sent by our wise and gracious Father, for our spiritual good.
Verses 12-17 A
burden of affliction is apt to make the Christian's hands hang down, and his
knees grow feeble, to dispirit him and discourage him; but against this he must
strive, that he may better run his spiritual race and course. Faith and patience
enable believers to follow peace and holiness, as a man follows his calling
constantly, diligently, and with pleasure. Peace with men, of all sects and
parties, will be favourable to our pursuit of holiness. But peace and holiness
go together; there can be not right peace without holiness. Where persons fail
of having the true grace of God, corruption will prevail and break forth; beware
lest any unmortified lust in the heart, which seems to be dead, should spring
up, to trouble and disturb the whole body. Falling away from Christ is the fruit
of preferring the delights of the flesh, to the blessing of God, and the
heavenly inheritance, as Esau did. But sinners will not always have such mean
thoughts of the Divine blessing and inheritance as they now have. It agrees with
the profane man's disposition, to desire the blessing, yet to despise the means
whereby the blessing is to be gained. But God will neither sever the means from
the blessing, nor join the blessing with the satisfying of man's lusts. God's
mercy and blessing were never sought carefully and not obtained.
Verses 18-29
Mount Sinai, on which the Jewish church state was formed, was a mount such as
might be touched, though forbidden to be so, a place that could be felt; so the
Mosaic dispensation was much in outward and earthly things. The gospel state is
kind and condescending, suited to our weak frame. Under the gospel all may come
with boldness to God's presence. But the most holy must despair, if judged by
the holy law given from Sinai, without a Saviour. The gospel church is called
Mount Zion; there believers have clearer views of heaven, and more heavenly
tempers of soul. All the children of God are heirs, and every one has the
privileges of the first-born. Let a soul be supposed to join that glorious
assembly and church above, that is yet unacquainted with God, still
carnally-minded, loving this present world and state of things, looking back to
it with a lingering eye, full of pride and guile, filled with lusts; such a soul
would seem to have mistaken its way, place, state, and company. It would be
uneasy to itself and all about it. Christ is the Mediator of this new covenant,
between God and man, to bring them together in this covenant; to keep them
together; to plead with God for us, and to plead with us for God; and at length
to bring God and his people together in heaven. This covenant is made firm by
the blood of Christ sprinkled upon our consciences, as the blood of the
sacrifice was sprinkled upon the altar and the victim. This blood of Christ
speaks in behalf of sinners; it pleads not for vengeance, but for mercy. See
then that you refuse not his gracious call and offered salvation. See that you
do not refuse Him who speaketh from heaven, with infinite tenderness and love;
for how can those escape, who turn from God in unbelief or apostacy, while he so
graciously beseeches them to be reconciled, and to receive his everlasting
favour! God's dealing with men under the gospel, in a way of grace, assures us,
that he will deal with the despisers of the gospel, in a way of judgment. We
cannot worship God acceptably, unless we worship him with reverence and godly
fear. Only the grace of God enables us to worship God aright. God is the same
just and righteous God under the gospel as under the law. The inheritance of
believers is secured to them; and all things pertaining to salvation are freely
given in answer to prayer. Let us seek for grace, that we may serve God with
reverence and godly fear.
Chapter 12:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Philemon James
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
