Hebrews

Wednesday, 10 April 2019

You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. Hebrews 12:4

In the Greek, there is an article which comes before the word sin. Young’s translates it as, “Not yet unto blood did ye resist — with the sin striving.” In other words, “sin” is personified here by the author. With this in mind, the verse can be properly evaluated.

The author begins with, “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed.” The words are plain and obvious. Others had resisted, even to the point of bloodshed. This includes, in particular, the example of Christ – who is the main Subject of what has been said in the past two verses. However, the reference in verse 1 which speaks of “so great a cloud of witnesses” refers to those in Chapter 11. The author is telling his audience that to this point, they had not faced such a trial as would lead them to bloodshed. From there, he says, “striving against [the] sin.”

These words follow the same pattern as those found in 1 Corinthians 9. There, Paul records a race that turns into a form of combat –

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. ²⁵ And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. ²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-26

Here in Hebrews 12:2, the author speaks of “the race that is set before us.” He now turns to “striving against [the] sin.” It is another good hint that Paul is the author of both epistles.

The question is, “What is the author referring to?” Most commentators would say that this is speaking about resisting others during persecution, even to the point of shedding blood. But what do others have to do with “the sin.” Unless someone is forcing a person to choose to deny the faith, under the pain of punishment or death, it is unlikely talking about general persecution.

Sin, especially when personified, is something that an individual wars against internally. It is true that the previous verse said that Christ “endured such hostility from sinners against Himself,” but the true war that was being waged was against violating the Law of Moses – God’s standard for Israel – in order to prevail over the Law.

He was constantly faced with such challenges, even to the night before the cross where He shed His blood in sweat like great drops of blood. This torturous battle continued on before Israel’s leaders, King Herod, and Pilate. But He endured through each event. He shed His blood in His own agony, and His blood was shed by others who attempted to make Him sin against the law and against His heavenly Father.

In the race set before us, we are admonished to fix our eyes on Jesus who first went through these things, demonstrating that one can prevail over “the sin,” even if it necessitates the shedding of blood. Our ordeals in facing this foe may seem great, but Christ met him and prevailed over him.

Life application: The author was originally writing to first century Jewish believers who were considering returning to temple worship, most likely for security and safety from persecution. This persecution was certainly increasing as the Jewish believers and non-believers began to become more and more distinct.

The entire book of Hebrews is written to demonstrate the “greater than” nature of Christ in His many roles – Prophet, Priest, King, Lawgiver, etc. By turning back to temple worship, they would be moving from a greater to a lesser. In addition to this, the author reminded them that it is “not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.” Yes, there is a still struggle with sin, but he makes it perfectly clear that all sin is completely atoned for by Christ Jesus’ sacrifice, whereas the temple sacrifices were temporary and passing away.

In their daily lives and “striving against [the] sin,” they hadn’t faced such great trails that they had “yet” shed their blood. By saying this, he was comparing them with Jesus who had. He faced opposition and eventually the cross, and He became the great example for each believer to follow – even to the point of death. Remember, all of this follows on the heels of Chapter 11 which noted the faith and perseverance of past believers. Prior to that in Chapter 10, the recipients were reminded of their own faithfulness in their earlier years.

As is evident, the author is masterfully preparing them for the long haul by looking back to the past. By doing so, he is giving them the much-needed confidence they would need for the increasingly hard road which lay ahead. In the end, the imperative to fix our eyes on Jesus still stands today. If we can remember those simple words, all else will always find its proper place.

Lord, it is our honest desire to follow You no matter what lies ahead. Thank You for the logical, orderly, and uplifting way in which Your word builds us up in the ability to accomplish this. Let us never lose sight of that which is most important – following Jesus’ example no matter what the cost. Amen.

Tuesday, 9 April 2019

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. Hebrews 12:3

The word “For” is given to explain why he exhorted the reader to fix his gaze upon Jesus. He had said that Christ “endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” With that now understood, the author says, “For consider Him.” This is still speaking of Jesus, the subject of what continues to be stated.

We are being encouraged to carefully reflect on the example Christ has provided because (as will be noted in the verses ahead) any one of us is bound to face his own trial in the future. In reflecting on what Christ faced, we can be more fully prepared to handle the challenges that come our own way. Understanding this, he says that it is He “who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself.”

The world was, and is, at enmity with Christ because He brings it under conviction of sin. In His perfection, the sin of others is highlighted. This inevitably brought about hostility from sinners. Albert Barnes notes that at the time of Christ’s coming, the Jews “opposed his plans, perverted his sayings, and ridiculed his claims.”

There was great enmity towards Him, and attacks against Him were common, even to the point of attempting to execute Him in one way or another. It seems that at every turn someone was waiting in the wings to try to either trip Him up, or they were watching to see Him make the slightest mistake in regard to either the Law of Moses or their own additions to it. Despite this constant barrage of attacks, He stayed the course set before Him, not deviating from the Father’s will. It is this example which the author uses in order to say to his audience, “lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”

The Greek reads, “that you may not be wearied in your souls – being faint” (YLT). The idea is that in emulating Christ’s example, the believer will be able to endure any such similar attempt to hush him up, trip him up, or redirect him from the proper course of obedience to the Lord. Just as Christ went even to the cross of Calvary to do the Father’s will, so we should look at whatever comes our way as just a step on the road to glory. No matter how difficult or disagreeable the trial may be, it is one that our Leader has already been on. Instead of becoming weary and discouraged, we are to be renewed in the strength of the Lord and encouraged to continue on.

Life application: The author is reminding us of a fundamental truth of Christianity. We are not hated because we are violent, or because we destroy the unborn, or because we blow ourselves and others up, or because we are somehow intolerant. Rather, we are hated because we bring the truth concerning the fallen state of man to a world that doesn’t want to accept it.

People want to believe that they are in good in and of themselves and, that because of their own righteousness, they are in tight with God. They trust that all the wrong they have done will simply be forgotten because of a few good deeds that they have accomplished in between the innumerable sins of a lifetime. It is hard to face up to the fact that we are really sinful beings, and so the world simply attempts to deny this truth. It is so much easier to live in denial and pray to something – anything – other than an infinitely holy Creator.

This verse reminds us of this so that we won’t grow weary, lose heart, and become ineffective in our Christian life. If Jesus received opposition even leading to death, we really should expect no more. If we live a life without this, how wonderful that is. But if we face persecution, torture, or even death, we need to simply accept that Jesus walked that path before us.

Thank you, Lord, for reminding us that not everything in our Christian walk will be fun and prosperity, but rather we should expect hardships, opposition, and trials. Give us the ability to endure whatever comes our way that You alone may be glorified. Amen.

Monday, 8 April 2019

…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

The author now turns to my particular favorite set of words in Scripture by saying, “looking unto Jesus.” The word “looking” is from the compound Greek word aphoraó. It is seen only here and in Philippians 2:23, and it signifies, “looking away from all else to fix one’s gaze upon.” It is for this reason, many translations include the word “fix” in one form or another, such as, “simply fixing our gaze upon Jesus” (Weymouth New Testament).

There is a purposeful looking away from all other things in order to direct one’s complete and full attention on… JESUS. With such a gaze, there is nothing else which can fill our eyes, and thus our hearts, minds, affections, and desires. To look unto Jesus is to be consumed with Jesus to the exclusion of all else. May it ever be so in our lives!

With this thought in mind, he then describes this wonderful JESUS in order to explain why such a gaze is proper. It is because He is “the author and finisher of our faith.” Vincent’s Word Studies notes that this choice of translation “is misleading, and narrows the scope of the passage.” The word “author” comes from the Greek archégos. This signifies the first of a long procession. It is “a file-leader who pioneers the way for many others to follow.” It is then a pioneer leader, or a founding leader. The word is widely translated as “founder,” “pioneer,” “source,” “leader,” and so on.

The Greek word translated as, “finisher,” is found only here. It is a noun derived from a verb which signifies to bring to an end or to complete. Thus, He is the “Perfecter,” “Completer,” or “Finisher” of faith. The NKJV inserts the word “our” in the verse, but this brings in a false sense of the meaning. There is actually a definite article before “faith,” and so it can rightly be translated as simply “faith,” or – more precisely – as “the faith.” As Vincent’s Word Studies notes – “Not our Christian faith, but faith absolutely, as exhibited in the whole range of believers from Abel to Christ.”

With this understood, the author continues with, “who for the joy that was set before Him.” This is speaking of the exaltation that was His to possess upon the completion of His work. It is referred to quite a few times in the Bible, and it is revealed in both Testaments. Paul refers to it in Philippians 2 –

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

This is the “joy” that was set before Jesus, and for which He willingly “endured the cross.” Again, referring to the same thought, Paul spoke of this as well in Philippians 2 –

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8

In Paul’s words of Philippians 2:8, there is no article in front of “cross.” It says, “even cross death.” The utterly shameful nature of the death is brought forth in Paul’s choice of words. It shows the enormity of the level of obedience and humility which Christ endured for us. Thus, the author here refers to the “shame” of the cross. Christ was willing to endure this because there was also joy set before Him.

The connection between the first clause and this is not to be missed –

– looking unto Jesus
– who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross

Those who trust in Christ are to look to the JOY set before us, meaning Christ, just as Christ looked to the joy set before Him. No matter what comes forth in our lives, and no matter how shameful it may appear, the PRIZE of Christ is to consume our vision. In this, we will be able to laugh at the minimal, temporary, and inconsequential shame of the present. This, just as Jesus did concerning the cross. It was there, waiting for Him, but in looking beyond that moment, He was “despising the shame.”

Christ looked at what would occur there on the cross with scorn and contempt. Because of the glory which is assigned to the cross today, it is hard for us to grasp what is being said. We look to the cross as the highest fulfillment of God’s love for us, and as a badge of honor to be cherished and boasted over (see Galatians 6:14), but the cross was an instrument of death which was a sign of great shame at the time.

To be crucified was something that would bring a sense of horror upon those who were connected to it. Mothers of the crucified would bear the shame, friends of the crucified would not speak of what occurred, those who did the crucifying would revel at their ability to so humiliate another human. But Christ despised this, knowing that something far greater was ahead of him. And so after the cross and the humiliation, He “has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

To “sit down” is to be in a state of repose. Christ accomplished His work, even the work which was deemed to be a shame by the people who crucified Him, but that very work completed His mission of fulfilling the Law of Moses. In fulfillment of the law, a New Covenant was initiated in His blood.

To sit “at the right hand of the throne of God” signifies the position of power and authority. It is not a lesser position, as if God has actual hands and Christ is sitting by one of them. Instead, it is the position of God’s complete and absolute power and authority. This was spoken of by Jesus Himself in Matthew 28 –

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

The word, “name,” Jesus used there is in the singular. The three – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – are one essence. Christ is at the right hand of the throne of God, possessing all of the royalty, authority, power, dignity, and force of the Godhead.

Life application: The almighty and infinitely wise Creator of the universe stepped into the continuum of time and space in the Person of Jesus. He alone has bridged the gap, provided atonement, redeemed lost man, and restored felicity between God and Adam’s fallen race. He is the focal point of our worship and the light in our lives. He wrote our faith and He will bring it to perfection. He looked forward to His day of triumph and joy, knowing that the cross with all of its shame and agony lay ahead…and He scorned it!

What is shame? What is agony? What is worth the humiliation of His accusers? The answer is as astounding as it is simple… God loves you so infinitely much that, before He created a single grain of sand, He determined that Jesus would go to the cross and bear the punishment for sin which each of us deserves.

No cost was too high to pay the ransom. No pain was too great to right our wrongs. No disgrace was too shameful to cover our nakedness. And so Christ Jesus endured this for you. And when His mission was complete, He ascended again to the Father with all authority and all power granted to Him.

This is the same authority He possessed from eternity past and which He set aside in order to destroy the work of the devil. The tabernacle of Moses had no chairs because the priests’ work was never done. But Jesus Christ, our true High Priest, finished the work His Father sent Him to accomplish. And when He did so… He sat down.

His work is complete and never needs to be repeated. Jesus Christ’s atonement is all-sufficient for the salvation of the human soul. Think today on the majesty of God and His great love for you – expressed in the Person and work of JESUS our Lord; God’s Messiah.

Heavenly Father, it is right that we ask as David did, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” Of what value are we, even lost in our sins, that You would send Your precious Son, Jesus, to buy us back from this state of death? How terrible was the cost, and yet, how glorious was the work accomplished there! All praise, glory, honor, and power – they are Yours alone. Amen.

Sunday, 7 April 2019

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1

This is a long verse, and it requires precision of translation. The word “also” is, in some translations, tied to the cloud of witnesses –

“…since we also are surrounded by.”

That is incorrect. That would indicate that those in Chapter 11 were surrounded by their own cloud of witnesses, just as we are. That is not the intent. Rather, “also” is connected to the need for endurance –

“Therefore we also … let us lay aside.”

Other nuances of this verse vary from translation to translation, and each needs to be thought through without accepting one – fallible – translation at the expense of proper intent. With this understanding, the author begins with “Therefore.” He is making an affirmation of the facts he has stated in order to exhort his readers (and thus us) to be attentive to his words.

Next, he says, “we also.” That means that he, along with those who read his words, is to act in accord with the exhortation he is making. He is not excluding himself from what is to be stated, and he expects those who read his words would follow suit.

The words, “since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,” are speaking of those named (or referred to by their deeds, even if not specifically named) in the previous chapter. The written testimony of their lives of faith, being worked out in deeds of faith, is a witness to us which forms “a cloud.” The word is nephos, and it is only found here. It is a mass of cloud which is then equated to a great company of people. Such a cloud is indefinite in size and shape, and it simply forms into a whole. The record of the lives of those faithful souls recorded in Scripture is given to bear witness to what God finds worthy of note. Understanding that each one of them was noted for faith leading to action, he then continues that just as this cloud surrounds us, so “let us lay aside every weight.”

Again, another unique word to Scripture is seen, ogkos. It is a mass, bulk, or encumbrance which causes one to bend from its load. The author is not speaking of physical weights and flabby stomachs though. Rather, he is speaking of spiritual and doctrinal matters. In particular, he has been speaking about the “greater than” nature of Christ throughout the epistle. Worshiping angels instead of Christ would be such a weight. Holding on to the doctrines of the Old Covenant would be such a weight. In fact, Peter, speaking of the law, says this to the Council in Jerusalem in Acts 15:10, 11 –

“Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? ¹¹ But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

This is exactly what the law is; one big heavy ogkos, hindering people from coming to a right relationship with God through the grace provided in Jesus Christ our Lord. All such weight is to be laid aside. Next, the author says, “and the sin which so easily ensnares us.”

Another unique word is found here, euperistatos. It is a compound word which gives the sense of “well,” “all around,” and “planted.” Thus, “completely encircling” is the idea. Sin, then, is something that encompasses us and keeps us from being able to move in any direction to get away from it. Wherever we turn, it surrounds us. And so the reader is asked to lay it aside. This includes all sins of a physical nature, but it also surely includes those things which are faulty in a doctrinal sense.

Hebrews 13:9 speaks of “various and strange doctrines.” Anything which is not of God, and which is not revealed as proper in His word, and yet which is taught as a doctrine is “strange.” It is something that is added to the gospel, and it is faulty and comes to encircle a person so that they are caught in the sin of false teaching. The author, after asking to have these things laid aside from our lives says, “and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

One cannot run with endurance if he carries a heavy burden, and he cannot run with endurance if he is caught in a trap of false doctrine which thoroughly impedes forward motion. The word “race” is from the Greek agón. It is the basis for our modern day word “agony.” It is a contest and a struggle which requires endurance and being fully fit to proceed and to win. We have a contest in this life which is to live for Jesus, live in faith, and to press forward with pleasing God and not getting encumbered by faulty doctrine and faithless living. This is what the author exhorts for his reader; and in the next verse, he will give the surest way of all for it to be effected in the believer’s life.

Life application: After speaking for 40 verses on the exceptional faith of biblical characters of the past, “a great cloud of witnesses,” the author has given us a multi-pointed challenge –

1) “Let us lay aside every weight.” This is speaking of anything which will affect, withhold, or rob us of our faith. How easy this is too! It can surely affect our faith when we see a false preacher lining his pockets with money and then being caught in gross sin. Understand that this will surely happen from time to time and determine not to let it hinder your walk. The same is true with countless other things which can sidetrack you from strong faith. Think about a show you saw on the TV or YouTube which called into question the truth of the Bible. On every such occasion, the speaker either failed to do his homework or he has an agenda to bring disrepute on Scripture and to weaken your faith. Know your Bible, know your Lord, and stand strong in your faith.

2) “Let us lay aside the sin which so easily ensnares us.” Not only do we need to watch out that other’s sins don’t bring us down, but we need to remember that each of us is susceptible to sin. No sooner do we feel secure in our faith than the devil challenges us with temptation.

3) “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” We have been reminded elsewhere that being a faithful Christian is like a race. In a race, one needs to not only start, but to persevere. The only way to make it to the finish line is to focus and not falter.

Dear Heavenly Father! Your word offers challenges which show that our walk in this life is more than just that. And it isn’t a mere sprint either. Rather, it is a marathon. Therefore, be with us each step of the way so that we will not be weighed down, that we will not be tripped up, and that we will pass the finish line with satisfaction that we have been pleasing to You in our run! Yes, be with us, O God. Amen.

Saturday, 6 April 2019

God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. Hebrews 11:40

This verse completes the chapter, and it explains what was just said in the previous verse. Taken together, they read, “And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.”

What the author is saying in the words, “God having provided something better for us,” is that God understood beforehand, what the anticipated outcome of His plan would be. The verb used is found only here in the Bible, and it signifies to see in advance. The word “provided” which is used here is only suitable if one understands that it applies to both those of the past and those now. In other words, “us” is speaking of everyone in the process. Those people, along with us, have something better ahead which God anticipated for all to enjoy and participate in because of our faith. This, then, is more fully understood with the words, “that they should not be made perfect apart from us.”

The verb translated as “made perfect” is teleioó. It signifies working through an entire process in order to reach an end-stage. As Vincent’s Word Studies says –

“Each successive stage of history gathers up into itself the fruit of preceding stages. This passage teaches the solidarity of humanity in its work as well as in itself. The man of the present requires the work and suffering and achievement of the men of the past to complete him and his work. The future men will, in like manner, require the work and suffering and achievement of the men of today to complete them. The whole creation, in all its successive aeons, moves together toward: ‘The one far-off, divine event.’”

Something lies ahead for the faithful of all ages. God has an end-goal in mind and what He has prepared is glorious. The final chapters of Revelation speak of it, but hints of it are interspersed throughout various parts of Scripture. In the end, what has been experienced by those of the past, and what is experienced by us now, is being worked out toward a marvelous end. This is why Paul made this statement to those in Corinth (and thus to us) –

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, ¹⁸ while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Life application: Until Christ had come and fulfilled the law, man stood condemned for being unable to meet its standards. Even the temporary atonement provided by the sacrifice of animals was insufficient to perfect God’s people. Because of this, they could not be glorified at their deaths. However, since Christ came, all believers – both those looking forward to the cross and those now who look back to it – will reach that end-stage together. It is the goal for the redeemed which God has known in advance, even since the very beginning.

What a glorious promise we have awaiting us. If you haven’t yet accepted Jesus Christ, now is the time. The moment of your death is unknown but to God; don’t meet that moment without Christ’s righteousness to cover you.

Lord God! Thank you for the wonderful Hall of Fame of Faith which is recorded in the book of Hebrews. Its forty verses show us that there have been those who have lived in faith, just like us. They were fallible folks, saved by their faith in You alone and through the blood of the Lamb. The message is always the same – You will restore us to Yourself, and we simply need to receive what You have done. All glory to You, O God. Amen.