Hebrews 12

From the examples of the former chapter the apostle exhorts the Hebrew to constancy in the Christians hope and the patience in affliction 2 to this end proposeth Christ example unto them who through suffering entered his glory 5 also the example of all true children who were not without chastisement 12 afterwards exhorts them to quickening of the for their sluggishness 14 and with all to peace and holiness 15 warns thou against apostasy and against whoredom and prophaneness by the example of Esau 18 to that end also sets before their eyes the dignity of the assembly of earth and of heaven whereunto they are come with an opposition of the terribleness of all things in the giving of the law 25 Warns them again of apostasy by a place taken out of Haggai 2:7,28 and exhorts them to hold fast to the grace of God by propounding the punishment which shall come upon apostasy.

1. Therefore also seeing we have so great a cloud of witnesses as are rehearsed in the former chapter who have steadfastly and patiently persevered in faith and hope ] lying round about us [so the apostle speaketh because even as the cloud that hangeth round about us in the ayre is always seen by us where so ever we turn ourselves in Gods word we find these examples before our eyes] let us lay aside every burden [namely of worldly care encumbrance and voluptuousness as Christ also exhorts his Luke 21:34] and the sin [he understands here especially the sin of concupiscence which easily ariseth in us of itself out of the reminders of corrupt nature or by the occasions which outwardly happen &c brings forth impediments to us in our Christian course which we must withstand and cast from us see Romans 8:1,13] which easily compasseth us [Gr which easily stands about us] and let us with patient run or by the patience run for when the race is long and they are difficulties on the way there is need of patience in running that we might not faint ] the race [or the strife of running for the Greek word agon signifieth both and the holy scripture elsewhere also compares the state and the life of a Christians to a running of a prize or a strife in running 1Corinthians 9.24 2Timothy 4.7] which is set before us .

2. Looking unto the chief leader and finisher of faith Jesus [namely before all for although we also do well looking unto the foregoing witness nevertheless we must before all herein cast our eyes upon Christ who is the leader unto faith and the perfecta of the same]who for the joy[that is instead of the joy namely the use whereof he might have retained if he had not humbled himself for our sake and chosen the cross Philippians 2:6 others translate it for the joy namely unto which suffering he should not only come himself but also bring the faithful Luke 24:26 1 Peter 1:11] which was set before him endured the cross and despised the shame [namely which was cast upon him by sinners both in life and death as is declared in the following verse] and is set at the right hand of the throne of God [namely afterwards when he had steadfastly and patiently overcome this for an example unto us all of an happy issue .]

3. For take notice of this man [namely Jesus who is great and glorious that we cannot be compared to him]who endured such a contradiction [hereby is understood all contempt reproach and infamy which was cast upon Christ even unto shameful death of the cross] of sinners [that is of ungodly and unrighteous man who was able to have strike down with one word as this word is also taken Psalms 1:1 Job 9:25,31] against him that ye do not languish [or grow remiss] and faint in your souls [that is in the constant hope and patience of your soul]

4. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood [that is to the utmost or even unto death]striving against sin [some take the word sin here for sinners as is exprest verse3 others of sin itself which is in us whereof he spoke verse1 which we must lay aside with grievous conflicts even by chastisement and affliction themselves as is declared verse 10,11]

5. And ye have forgotten [or and have ye forgotten by way of question] the exhortation [namely of wisdom Proverbs 3:11 ,12] which speaketh unto ye as unto children my son sleight not the chastisement of the Lord [the Greek word paidea signifies property a chastisement which is given unto children for their amendment] neither feint thou when thou art rebuked of him [or gain said chastised with words.]

6. For whom the Lord loveth the chasteneth and he scourgeth every son whom he received [that is acknowledge and hold for his son .]

7. If ye endure chastisement [namely patiently or willingly as before]God carrieth himself towards ye as the sons [that is this is a certain sign to ye that ye are true children and that God sends them to ye as a father for the ungodly also are indeed punished by God but as by a judge and oftentimes speak blasphemies against the God of heaven in these punishments see Revelations 16.10,11 or fall into despair as Saul Judas] fro what son is there whom the father chastineth not?

8. But ye be with chastisement of which all are made partakers [namely true and right children] then ye are bastards [namely whom the father oftentimes put far from them and for whom many time they take no right care because they are not their right heirs] and not sons .

9. Furthermore we had indeed the fathers of the flesh [that is our bodies as the opposition of the father of the spirit requires]chastiser and we reverenced them shall we not then much rather be subject to the spirit is also taken hereafter verse 23 And God is peculiarly called a father of spirits because our souls are immediately created by him in our bodies see hereof also Numbers 16:22 and 27.16 Ecclesiastes 12:7 Zac.12.1 ] and live?

10. For they indeed chastised us for a short time [Gr for new days that is in years of our youths]as it seemed good unto them but he chastised us for our profits that we might be partakers of his holiness [for by mortifying of sins and by the exercising of patience we increase more and more in holiness wherefore chastisements are means and instruments.]

11. And all chastisement when it is presented seemeth to be no matter of joy but of grief but afterwards it yields from its peaceable fruits of righteousness [that is of righteousness which brings our conscience peace and joy instead of the grief which is chastisement procured us namely seeing we are thereby assured that we are true children]to them who are exercised by the same [namely with patience and sufferance as before .]

12. Therefore raise up again the slow hands and feeble knees [namely to run with joy in the race unto the end and is the conclusion of the exhortation propounded in the first verse .]

13. And make right paths for your feet[or steps with your feet]that which is lame may be wrenched [that is turn not more and more out of the way or out of joint the apostle proceeds in the similitude begun of running in the right path even unto the end and that without turning away to one side or the other for many among the Jews converted to Christianity looked always about towards Judaism and went not straight forward see Acts 15:1 Galatians 2:14] but (that) much rather it may be healed.

14. Follow after peace with all [Namely, as much as is possible, and as much as in you is, always keeping a good conscience and peace with God. See Romans 12:18.] and sanctification, without which [namely, sanctification, as the Greek word necessarily imports, although it be true also of both. See Matth. 5. 8, 9. John 13:35.] no man shall see the Lord. [namely, in the life to come. See 1 Cor. 6. 9.]

15. Looking to it lest any one stay behind [That is abide behind, turn away] from the grace of God: lest any root of bitterness [so the Apostle especially calls seducers, and those who seek to bring others to apostasy, having respect to the like exhortation of Moses, Deuteronomy 29:18. because the end of such is trouble and bitterness in soul] springing upwards make disturbance, [namely, in your Congregation] and by the same many be made impure. [that is, defiled also and brought to apostasy.]

16. Lest any one be a fornicatour, or an unholy one, [That is, profane, who looketh not after any holy or divine things] as Esau, who for one mess of meat, gave away his right of first-born. [namely, which not only gave advantage in the fan ily above the other brethren, but was also a type of all spiritual advantage in the house of God, as is showed hereafter, ver., 23.]

17. For ye know that afterward also when he would inherit the blessing he was rejected, [Or thrust away, Namely, by his Father Isaac, in respect of his first and spiritual blessing, which Jacob had now carried away] for he found no place of sorrow [namely, with his Father Isaac, so that Isaac should have sorrowed for blessing of Jacob: for this sorrow was that which Esau sought with tears, as may be seen, Genesis 27:36.] although he sought the same with tears. [namely, the blessing. Or the same, namely, sorrow of his Father. For that Esau sought no sorrow of his own misdeed appears from thence, that presently after he sought after Jacobs life.]

18. For ye are not come [This depends upon the foregoing exhortation to peace, sanctification, & c, because the Israelites when they were to hear the Law, Exod. 20. must sanctify themselves, wash their clothes and abstain from their wives three days before. See Exodus 19:10, & c. Must they do this then when they heard God pronounce the Law, how much more must ye purify yourselves according to the Spirit, now ye come to the assembly of the new Testament, to hear the voice of Christ] to the mount that may be touched, [that is, the visible mountain. Namely, Sinai or Horeh: of which, see Exodus 19:17. & c. and 20. 18. Deuteronomy 5:2.] and the burning fire, and blackness, and darkness, and tempest:

19. And unto the sound of the trumpet, and the voice of words [That is, of the ten words or commandments: for thereupon followed this desire of the people, Exodus 20:19. and Deuteronomy 5:25.] which they that heard it, besought that the word might not be propounded to them any more.

20. (For they could not bear [That is, endure, without being astonished and afraid at it] that which was commanded, if even a beast [that is, not only any man, but even any beast, Exodus 19:13.] touched the mountain, it shall be stoned, or shot through with an arrow.

21. And Moses, These words of Moses are not found indeed, Exod. 19. but the Apostle inferred them from that which is there spoken, ver. 19. of the speech of Moses unto God in this dread. Or he hath it out of some Historical Traditions, as that which he saith of Jannes and Jambers, 2 Tim. 3. 8. Or by a special Revelation, as Moses had the whole order of the work of creation] so terrible was the sight, said, I am greatly afraid and trembling.)

22. But ye are come unto the mount Sion [That is, unto the universal Church, or the true congregation of Jesus Christ, whereof the mount Sion was a type. See Psalms 2:6. Isaiah 2:3. and 49. 14. etc. which immediately after is also called the City of God, and the heavenly Jerusalem, because it is set up, especially governed, and glorified by God out of heaven. See Revel. 3. 12. and 21. 27. See also Zach. 2. 7, & c.] and the City of the living God, unto the heavenly Jerusalem, and the many thousands of Angels, [namely, who are also Ministers of Christ, and fellow servants of believers, as the Angel speaketh, Revelation 19:10 and 22. 9.]

23. To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, [that is, of the elect, who by the special grace of God have received many heavenly privileges above other men] who are written in the heavens, [Namely, in the book of life. See Luke 10:20. Philippians 4:3. Revelation 13:8.] and to God the Judge over all, and the spirits [that is, the souls of those who possess perfect holiness and salvation in heaven. See 1 Cor. 13. 10. although they expect yet another perfection with their bodies at the last day, 2 Tim. 4. 8.] of perfected [Or sanctified] just ones.

24. And unto the Mediator of the New Testament Jesus, [Namely, opposed to Moses, who was but a type of the true Mediator Jesus Christ] and the blood of sprinkling, [namely, wherewith the new Testament is confirmed, and our consciences are purified. See cha. 9. 11, & c.] that speaketh better things than Abel: [that is, then the blood of Abel, which cried for vengeance before God, Genesis 4:10. whereas the blood of Christ cries for reconciliation and peace with God.]

25. Take heed that ye reject not him that speaketh: [Namely, Christ, who speaketh by his Spirit and word] for if they escaped not [namely, the wrath or judgement of God] who rejected him, that gave divine answers on earth [namely Moses. For the Apostle continually sets before their eyes the example of the Israelites in the wilderness, their rebellion against Moses, and the judgements following thereupon] much more (shall) not we (escape) if we return away from who (is) from the heavens. [namely, Jesus Christ the Son of God, who came down from heaven, John 3:13. and is the Lord from heaven at the right hand of his Father, continually speaketh unto us by his Spirit and Ministers.]

26. Whose voice [Namely Jesus Christ: For he was that Angel of God’s face that spoke to Moses, Exod. 3. ver. 2. 4. & c. and by whom also the Law was given, Acts 7:38.] then moved the earth [namely, in giving of the Law: whereof see Exod. 19.] but now he hath [namely, the same Jesus Christ, as the eternal Son of God, and Mediator betwixt God and men. For the whole contexture of the words requires this interpretation] declared [namely, by the prophet Haggai ch. 2. 7. where he prophesieth of the coming of Christ, and of the calling of the Gentiles] saying, yet once more I will more not only the earth but so heaven. [namely, partly by great wonders and miracles in heaven and earth, as happened in the coming of Christ, and at the time of his suffering and of his resurrection: but especially by the powerful preaching of the Gospel, and the Idolatry of the Gentiles was abolished, and the spiritual worship of God set up every where: which caused a great commotion and alteration, not only upon earth, but also in heaven, seeing even the Angels wonder at it, and are desirous to look thereunto, Ephes. 3. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 12.]

27. And this (word) yet once more shows the changing of the moveable things, [That is, of the mutable, as the first Tabernacle and the worship of God thereunto belonging were] at which were made [namely, with men’s hand, of perishing matter] that the things which are not moveable [that is, the spiritual things which were signified thereby, and accomplished in the new Testament. Unto which also belongeth the new heaven and earth, of which Isaiah prophesieth, chapter 65. 17. & c.] might remain. [namely, unchangeable in the Church of God.]

28. Therefore, seeing we receive an unmoveable kingdom, [Namely, which begins in us here, and shall be perfected hereafter] let us hold (fast) the grace [namely, which we have already received] by which we may serve God acceptably [namely, not by Ceremonial and outward things, but in Spiritual, which always please God in Christ. See Romans 12:1. and 14. 17, 18. Heb, 13. 21, & c.] with reverence and piety. [or, shamefulness and fear.]

29. For our God is a consuming fire. [That is, as a consuming fire. Namely, towards them that are disobedient or Apostates. See Deuteronomy 4:24. Hebrews 10:31.]