Hebrews 12: Enduring Faith and Divine Discipline
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
For our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12 builds upon the powerful examples of faith showcased in Hebrews 11, urging us to persevere in our own spiritual journeys. This chapter provides encouragement and practical instruction, reminding us that hardships are not signs of God's displeasure, but rather opportunities for growth and a deeper connection with Him. This chapter also highlights the superiority of the new covenant. Let's delve into the richness of Hebrews 12 and discover how it can inspire us to live a life of unwavering faith.
The Race of Faith (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Hebrews 12:1 begins by referencing the "great cloud of witnesses" from chapter 11. These heroes of faith, who faced trials and persecutions with unwavering trust in God, serve as an inspiration to us. Just as a boxing champion parades before a title fight, reminding the contestants of the possibility of victory, these witnesses testify that we, too, can endure and emerge triumphant.
Therefore, we are called to "lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares" (Hebrews 12:1). Like an Olympic sprinter shedding extra weight to improve performance, we must eliminate anything that hinders our spiritual progress. This includes unbelief, spiritual immaturity, and anything that might trip us up on our journey.
Hebrews 12:2-3 urges us to fix our eyes on Jesus, "the source and perfecter of our faith." He is both the initiator and the one who brings our faith to completion. Have you ever felt like giving up during a race? Sometimes, all it takes is someone running alongside you, offering encouragement, to help you push through. Similarly, when we keep our focus on Jesus, He enables us to persevere through challenges and reach our destiny.
Jesus Himself endured immense suffering, including the cross, for the joy set before Him. He despised the shame, knowing that resurrection day was coming. He made it through Friday by keeping his eyes on Sunday. This is the ultimate example for us. No matter what trials we face, we can find strength and hope in knowing that resurrection day is coming for us, too. As Hebrews 12:3 says, we should consider Him so that we "won’t grow weary and give up."
Enduring Hardship as Discipline (Hebrews 12:4-11)
The author reminds us that our struggles, while difficult, may not be as severe as those faced by some who came before us. "In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood" (Hebrews 12:4). This doesn't diminish our experiences, but it helps us maintain perspective. If you’re still here, God isn’t finished with you!
Hebrews 12:5-6 quotes Proverbs 3:11-12, encouraging us to view suffering as discipline, a sign of God's love. God is treating you as sons (Hebrews 12:7). Discipline encompasses both positive and negative aspects: instruction and correction. A loving father instructs and trains his children, but also disciplines them when they disobey. The goal is always the child's development. If a good parent takes this matter seriously, how much more does God?
If we are without discipline, Hebrews 12:8 says, "then you are illegitimate children and not sons." This verse emphasizes the importance of discipline as a sign of belonging to God's family. As Hebrews 12:8 says, “Which all receive” could be translated “of which all are partakers.” The Greek term for “partaker” is the same word we saw earlier meaning “companion” or “partner” (1:9; 3:1, 14). Thus, the author is reminding them that if they want to be Christ’s special “companions/partners/partakers” and receive the inheritance—his kingdom blessings in history and eternity—they must be willing to submit to his fatherly discipline and grow.
Godly fathers discipline their children as best they can, but our heavenly Father always disciplines us perfectly and for our good (Hebrews 12:9-10). No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. So don’t expect otherwise! Few children enjoy being disciplined or thank their parents for it afterwards. But if you will humbly receive God’s fatherly discipline, you will grow in holiness and righteousness (Hebrews 12:10-11). He wants you to be trained by it (Hebrews 12:11) so you can experience your relationship with him at another level.
The Fruits of Discipline (Hebrews 12:12-17)
Hebrews 12:12-13 encourages us to persevere in the face of weariness: "Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 'Make level paths for your feet,' so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed." If your hands are tired and your knees are buckling, don’t give up—keep walking the straight and narrow (Hebrews 12:12-13). Just as regular training leads to increased strength, submitting to godly discipline leads to growth in righteousness.
The author exhorts them to pursue peace and holiness—that is, their sanctification (Hebrews 12:14). Keep striving in your spiritual development. And beware of any root of bitterness in your life (Hebrews 12:15). When you’re experiencing troublesome circumstances, you’re in danger of resenting what God is doing in your life. But resentment will only serve to compound the problems.
Hebrews 12:16-17 presents Esau as a negative example. Don’t yield to transitory pleasure like Esau, who sold his birthright for a bowl of soup (Hebrews 12:16). Though he regretted it later, it was too late. He had forfeited his inheritance (Hebrews 12:17). God has blessings in store for you, an inheritance. Don’t be like Esau and foolishly throw away your reward for fleeting, temporal gratification.
Mount Zion vs. Mount Sinai (Hebrews 12:18-24)
In these verses, the author contrasts Mount Sinai with Mount Zion. When the Lord appeared to Israel on Mount Sinai to deliver the law, the people were filled with terror (Hebrews 12:18-21). You won’t find comfort in the Ten Commandments either. The law can only identify your weaknesses and indict you. So don’t climb Sinai. That’s not your mountain. Instead, you have come to Mount Zion (Hebrews 12:22).
Zion represents the new covenant in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:24). Only through him are the spirits of righteous people made perfect (Hebrews 12:23). Only Jesus can make you everything God wants you to be. Unlike the "shock and awe" of Mount Sinai, which inspired reasonable fear, the new covenant offers us peace and security.
A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken (Hebrews 12:25-29)
Therefore, do not reject the one who speaks (Hebrews 12:25). When he spoke at Sinai, God’s voice shook the earth (Hebrews 12:26). When your world is shaking, then, it’s because God is talking. We tend to focus our attention on our circumstances. But God wants your attention on him. He has something he wants to tell you, something he wants you to learn.
What’s the goal of the shaking (i.e., the upsetting off the natural order of things)? The removal of what can be shaken . . . so that what is not shaken might remain. When things are shaking, God is trying to eliminate a hindrance in your life. He’s attempting to loosen your grip on created physical things so that you’ll grasp tightly onto eternal things instead. The shaking process isn’t fun—especially when you don’t want to let go. But, remember: God is treating you like his child (Hebrews 12:5-11) and not his enemy.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, you’re part of his kingdom. That’s great news because Christ’s is a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and everything around you is subject to it. To accomplish his purposes for you, though, he’s going to shake you loose from anything that’s not part of his kingdom. So instead of clutching earthly things that are trembling and wobbling, let us be thankful.
When your world is shaking, serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28). Why? Because our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). When animals were placed on the sacrificial altar in the Old Testament era, fire would consume them. The fire burned up the carcass with the positive intent of providing a sacrifice to the Lord.
Tomorrow you may press a hot iron to your wrinkled clothes. But your intent isn’t to ruin them. Your goal will be to remove the wrinkles to make your garment fit to wear. Guess what. God wants to wear you and look good in you. So he will apply a consuming fire to you for your good. Even though there will be steam and heat, you’re going to look good when he’s through.
Hebrews 12 provides a powerful reminder that our faith journey is a race that requires endurance, discipline, and unwavering focus on Jesus. By embracing hardship as an opportunity for growth and keeping our eyes fixed on the joy set before us, we can run with perseverance and inherit the unshakable kingdom of God.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
For our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12 builds upon the powerful examples of faith showcased in Hebrews 11, urging us to persevere in our own spiritual journeys. This chapter provides encouragement and practical instruction, reminding us that hardships are not signs of God's displeasure, but rather opportunities for growth and a deeper connection with Him. This chapter also highlights the superiority of the new covenant. Let's delve into the richness of Hebrews 12 and discover how it can inspire us to live a life of unwavering faith.
The Race of Faith (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Hebrews 12:1 begins by referencing the "great cloud of witnesses" from chapter 11. These heroes of faith, who faced trials and persecutions with unwavering trust in God, serve as an inspiration to us. Just as a boxing champion parades before a title fight, reminding the contestants of the possibility of victory, these witnesses testify that we, too, can endure and emerge triumphant.
Therefore, we are called to "lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares" (Hebrews 12:1). Like an Olympic sprinter shedding extra weight to improve performance, we must eliminate anything that hinders our spiritual progress. This includes unbelief, spiritual immaturity, and anything that might trip us up on our journey.
Hebrews 12:2-3 urges us to fix our eyes on Jesus, "the source and perfecter of our faith." He is both the initiator and the one who brings our faith to completion. Have you ever felt like giving up during a race? Sometimes, all it takes is someone running alongside you, offering encouragement, to help you push through. Similarly, when we keep our focus on Jesus, He enables us to persevere through challenges and reach our destiny.
Jesus Himself endured immense suffering, including the cross, for the joy set before Him. He despised the shame, knowing that resurrection day was coming. He made it through Friday by keeping his eyes on Sunday. This is the ultimate example for us. No matter what trials we face, we can find strength and hope in knowing that resurrection day is coming for us, too. As Hebrews 12:3 says, we should consider Him so that we "won’t grow weary and give up."
Enduring Hardship as Discipline (Hebrews 12:4-11)
The author reminds us that our struggles, while difficult, may not be as severe as those faced by some who came before us. "In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood" (Hebrews 12:4). This doesn't diminish our experiences, but it helps us maintain perspective. If you’re still here, God isn’t finished with you!
Hebrews 12:5-6 quotes Proverbs 3:11-12, encouraging us to view suffering as discipline, a sign of God's love. God is treating you as sons (Hebrews 12:7). Discipline encompasses both positive and negative aspects: instruction and correction. A loving father instructs and trains his children, but also disciplines them when they disobey. The goal is always the child's development. If a good parent takes this matter seriously, how much more does God?
If we are without discipline, Hebrews 12:8 says, "then you are illegitimate children and not sons." This verse emphasizes the importance of discipline as a sign of belonging to God's family. As Hebrews 12:8 says, “Which all receive” could be translated “of which all are partakers.” The Greek term for “partaker” is the same word we saw earlier meaning “companion” or “partner” (1:9; 3:1, 14). Thus, the author is reminding them that if they want to be Christ’s special “companions/partners/partakers” and receive the inheritance—his kingdom blessings in history and eternity—they must be willing to submit to his fatherly discipline and grow.
Godly fathers discipline their children as best they can, but our heavenly Father always disciplines us perfectly and for our good (Hebrews 12:9-10). No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. So don’t expect otherwise! Few children enjoy being disciplined or thank their parents for it afterwards. But if you will humbly receive God’s fatherly discipline, you will grow in holiness and righteousness (Hebrews 12:10-11). He wants you to be trained by it (Hebrews 12:11) so you can experience your relationship with him at another level.
The Fruits of Discipline (Hebrews 12:12-17)
Hebrews 12:12-13 encourages us to persevere in the face of weariness: "Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 'Make level paths for your feet,' so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed." If your hands are tired and your knees are buckling, don’t give up—keep walking the straight and narrow (Hebrews 12:12-13). Just as regular training leads to increased strength, submitting to godly discipline leads to growth in righteousness.
The author exhorts them to pursue peace and holiness—that is, their sanctification (Hebrews 12:14). Keep striving in your spiritual development. And beware of any root of bitterness in your life (Hebrews 12:15). When you’re experiencing troublesome circumstances, you’re in danger of resenting what God is doing in your life. But resentment will only serve to compound the problems.
Hebrews 12:16-17 presents Esau as a negative example. Don’t yield to transitory pleasure like Esau, who sold his birthright for a bowl of soup (Hebrews 12:16). Though he regretted it later, it was too late. He had forfeited his inheritance (Hebrews 12:17). God has blessings in store for you, an inheritance. Don’t be like Esau and foolishly throw away your reward for fleeting, temporal gratification.
Mount Zion vs. Mount Sinai (Hebrews 12:18-24)
In these verses, the author contrasts Mount Sinai with Mount Zion. When the Lord appeared to Israel on Mount Sinai to deliver the law, the people were filled with terror (Hebrews 12:18-21). You won’t find comfort in the Ten Commandments either. The law can only identify your weaknesses and indict you. So don’t climb Sinai. That’s not your mountain. Instead, you have come to Mount Zion (Hebrews 12:22).
Zion represents the new covenant in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:24). Only through him are the spirits of righteous people made perfect (Hebrews 12:23). Only Jesus can make you everything God wants you to be. Unlike the "shock and awe" of Mount Sinai, which inspired reasonable fear, the new covenant offers us peace and security.
A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken (Hebrews 12:25-29)
Therefore, do not reject the one who speaks (Hebrews 12:25). When he spoke at Sinai, God’s voice shook the earth (Hebrews 12:26). When your world is shaking, then, it’s because God is talking. We tend to focus our attention on our circumstances. But God wants your attention on him. He has something he wants to tell you, something he wants you to learn.
What’s the goal of the shaking (i.e., the upsetting off the natural order of things)? The removal of what can be shaken . . . so that what is not shaken might remain. When things are shaking, God is trying to eliminate a hindrance in your life. He’s attempting to loosen your grip on created physical things so that you’ll grasp tightly onto eternal things instead. The shaking process isn’t fun—especially when you don’t want to let go. But, remember: God is treating you like his child (Hebrews 12:5-11) and not his enemy.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, you’re part of his kingdom. That’s great news because Christ’s is a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and everything around you is subject to it. To accomplish his purposes for you, though, he’s going to shake you loose from anything that’s not part of his kingdom. So instead of clutching earthly things that are trembling and wobbling, let us be thankful.
When your world is shaking, serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28). Why? Because our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). When animals were placed on the sacrificial altar in the Old Testament era, fire would consume them. The fire burned up the carcass with the positive intent of providing a sacrifice to the Lord.
Tomorrow you may press a hot iron to your wrinkled clothes. But your intent isn’t to ruin them. Your goal will be to remove the wrinkles to make your garment fit to wear. Guess what. God wants to wear you and look good in you. So he will apply a consuming fire to you for your good. Even though there will be steam and heat, you’re going to look good when he’s through.
Hebrews 12 provides a powerful reminder that our faith journey is a race that requires endurance, discipline, and unwavering focus on Jesus. By embracing hardship as an opportunity for growth and keeping our eyes fixed on the joy set before us, we can run with perseverance and inherit the unshakable kingdom of God.