1An exhortation to patience and constancy enforced by the example of Christ. 5The benefit of God's chastisements. 14Exhortation to peace and holiness. 18The dispensation of the law compared with the privileges of the gospel. 25The danger of refusing the word from heaven.
1WHEREFORE seeing we also are 1compassed about with so great 2a cloud of witnesses, leta us lay aside 3every weight, and 4the sin 5which doth so easily beset us, and let us runb6withc patience 7the race that is set before us,
1 That is, such a company or multitude of witnesses as are accounted in the previous chapter, who have steadfastly and patiently persevered in faith and hope.
2 So the apostle speaks, because as a cloud, which hangs round about us in the air, is always seen by us wheresoever we turn, so also wheresoever we turn ourselves in God’s Word, we find these examples before our eyes.
a Rom. 6:4; Eph. 4:22; Col. 3:8; 1 Peter 2:1, 2.
3 Namely, of worldly care, anxiety and voluptuousness, as Christ also exhorts His own, Luke 21:34.
4 He understands here especially the sin of concupiscence, which easily arises in us of itself, out of the remainders of a corrupt nature, or by the occasions which outwardly happen, and brings forth impediments to us in our christian course, which we must withstand and cast from us. See Rom. 8:1, 13.
5 Gr. which easily stands about us.
b 1 Cor. 9:24.
6 Or, run by patience. For, when the race is long, and there are difficulties on the way, there is need of patience in running that we may not faint.
c Rom. 12:12; Heb. 10:36.
7 Or, the strife of running. For, the Greek word agon signifies both. The Holy Scripture also compares elsewhere the state and the life of a Christian to a running for a prize, or a strife in running, 1 Cor. 9:24; 2 Tim. 4:7.
28Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; whod9for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising 10the shame, and 11is set down at the right hand ofe the throne of God.
8 Namely, especially; for, although we also do well looking unto the preceding witnesses, nevertheless we must herein cast especially our eyes upon Christ, Who is the Author unto faith and the Perfecter of the same.
d Luke 24:26; Philip. 2:8, 9, etc.; 1 Peter 1:11.
9 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, Philip. 2:6, etc. Others translate it, for the joy, namely, unto which by His suffering He would not only come Himself, but also bring the faithful, Luke 24:26; 1 Peter 1:11.
10 Namely, which was inflicted upon Him by sinners both in life and death, as is declared in the following verse.
11 Namely, afterward, when He had steadfastly and patiently overcome all this, also for an example unto us of an happy outcome.
e Heb. 1:3; 8:1.
3For consider 12him that endured such 13contradiction 14of sinners against himself, lest ye 15be wearied and faint 16in your minds.
12 Namely, Jesus, Who is so great and glorious, that we cannot be compared to Him.
13 Hereby is understood all contempt, reproach and infamy which was inflicted upon Christ, even unto the shameful death of the cross.
14 That is, of ungodly and unrighteous persons, whom He could have conquered with one word, as this word is also taken, Psalm 1:1; John 9:25, 31.
15 Or, grow remiss.
16 That is, in the constant hope and patience of your soul.
4Yef have not yet resisted 17unto blood, striving against 18sin.
f 1 Cor. 10:13.
17 That is, to the utmost, or, even unto death.
18 Some take the word sin here for sinners, as is expressed in verse 3. Others for sin itself which is in us, whereof he spoke in verse 1, which we must lay aside with grievous conflict, even by chastisements and afflictions, as is declared in verses 10, 11.
519And ye have forgotten the 20exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, Myg son, despise not thou 21the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art 22rebuked of him:
19 Or, And have ye forgotten, etc.? by way of a question.
20 Namely, of Wisdom, Prov. 3:11, 12.
g Job 5:17; Prov. 3:11; Rev. 3:19.
21 The Greek word paideia signifies properly a chastisement which is given to children unto their amendment.
22 Or, gainsaid, chastised with words.
6For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son 23whom he receiveth.
23 That is, acknowledges and holds for His son.
7If ye 24endure chastening, God 25dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
24 Namely, patiently, or, willingly, as before.
25 That is, this is a certain sign to you that you are true children, and that God sends them to you 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 Rev. 16:10, 11; or fall into despair as Saul, Judas, etc.
8But if ye be without chastisement, whereof 26all are partakers, then are ye 27bastards, and not sons.
26 Namely, true and right children.
27 Namely, whom the fathers oftentimes put far from them, and for whom many times they take no correct care, because they are not their true heirs.
9Furthermore we have had fathers of 28our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto 29the Father of spirits, and live?
28 That is, of our bodies, as the contrast of the Father of spirits requires.
29 That is, the Father of the souls, as this word spirits is also taken hereafter in verse 23. God is peculiarly called a Father of spirits, because our souls are immediately created by Him in our bodies. See hereof also, Num. 16:22 and 27:16; Eccl. 12:7; Zech. 12:1.
10For they verily 30for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of 31his holiness.
30 Or, for a short time, that is, in the years of our youth.
31 For, by the mortification of sins and by the exercise of patience we increase more and more in holiness, whereof chastisements are means and instruments.
11Now no chasteningh for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth 32the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are 33exercised thereby.
h correct by punishing*
32 That is, of righteousness which brings our consciences peace and joy, instead of the grief which the chastisement procured us. Namely, seeing we are thereby assured that we are true children.
33 Namely, with patience and sufferance as before.
1234Whereforei lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
34 Namely, to run with joy in the race unto the end. It is the conclusion of this exhortation propounded in verse 1.
i Isa. 35:3.
13And make straight 35paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be 36turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
35 Or, steps with your feet.
36 That is, turn more and more out of the way, or out of joint. The apostle proceeds in the initiated similitude of running in the right path unto the end, and that without turning away to the one side or the other. For, many among the Jews converted to Christianity looked always about toward Judaism, and went not straight forward. See Acts 15:1; Gal. 2:14.
14Followj peace 37with all men, and holiness,k without 38which no man shall see 39the Lord:
j Rom. 12:18; 2 Tim. 2:22.
37 Namely, as much as is possible, and as much as is in you, always keeping a good conscience and peace with God. See Rom. 12:18.
k Mat. 5:8.
38 Namely, sanctification, as the Greek word necessarily implies, although it be true also of both. See Mat. 5:8, 9; John 13:35.
39 Namely, in the life to come. See 1 Cor. 6:9.
15Lookingl diligently lest any man 40fail of the grace of God; lest 41anym root of bitterness springing up 42troublenyou, and thereby many be 43defiled;
l 2 Cor. 6:1.
40 That is, abide behind, turn away.
41 As such the apostle especially calls deceivers, and those who seek to bring others to apostasy, having respect to similar exhortation of Moses, Deut. 29:18, because the end of such is trouble and bitterness in the soul.
m Deut. 29:18.
42 Namely, in your congregation.
n Acts 17:13; Gal. 5:12.
43 That is, defiled also and brought to apostasy.
16Lesto there be any fornicator, or 44profane person, asp Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his 45birthright.
o Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5; 1 Thes. 4:3.
44 That is, unholy, who inquires not after any holy or Divine things.
p Gen. 25:33.
45 Namely, which not only gave advantage above the other brethren in the family, but was also an example of all spiritual advantage in the house of God, as is shown hereafter in verse 23.
17Forq ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was 46rejected: for he found no place 47of repentance, though he sought 48it carefully with tears.
q Gen. 27:36.
46 Or, thrust away; namely, by his father Isaac, in respect of his first and spiritual blessing, which Jacob now had in his possession.
47 Namely, with his father Isaac, so that Isaac would have sorrowed for blessing Jacob. For, it was this sorrow that Esau sought in tears, as may be seen, Gen. 27:36, etc.
48 Namely, the blessing. Or, the same, namely, the sorrow of his father. For, that Esau sought no sorrow for his own misdeed, this appears from that at once thereafter he sought for Jacob’s life.
1849For ye are not come untor the 50mount that might be touched, ands that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
49 This hangs upon the preceding exhortation to peace, sanctification, etc., because the Israelites, when they were to hear the law, Exodus 20, must sanctify themselves, wash their clothes and abstain from their wives three days before. See Exod. 19:10, etc. Since they must 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.
r Exod. 19:10; 20:21.
50 That is, the visible mountain. Namely, Sinai, or Horeb; of which see Exod. 19:17, etc.; Deut. 5:2.
s Exod. 19:16; Deut. 5:22.
19And the sound of a trumpet, and 51the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreatedt that the word should not be spoken to them any more:
51 That is, of the ten words or commandments. For, thereupon followed this desire of the people, Exod. 20:19 and Deut. 5:25.
t Exod. 20:19; Deut. 5:25; 18:16.
20(For they could not 52endure that which was commanded, And ifu so much as a 53beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
52 That is, bear, without being astonished and afraid at it.
u Exod. 19:13.
53 That is, not only any man, but even any beast, Exod. 19:13.
21And so terrible was the sight, that 54Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
54 These words of Moses are not really found in Exodus 19, but the apostle inferred them from what is spoken there, verse 18, 19, of the speech of Moses unto God in this faint-heartedness. Or, he has it out of some historical traditions, as that which he says of Jannes and Jambres, 2 Tim. 3:8. Or, by a special revelation, as Moses had the whole order of the work of creation.
22But ye are come unto 55mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, thev heavenly Jerusalem, and 56to an innumerable company of angels,
55 That is, unto the catholic church and the true congregation of Jesus Christ, whereof Mount Sion was a type. See Psalm 2:6; Isa. 2:3; 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 Rev. 3:12; 21:2, 10. See also Zech. 2:4, etc.
v Gal. 4:26; Rev. 3:12; 21:10, etc.
56 Namely, who are also ministers of Christ, and fellow servants of believers, as the angel speaks in Rev. 19:10; 22:9.
23To the general assembly and church 57of the firstborn, which are written inw58heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to 59the spirits of just men made 60perfect,
57 That is, of the elect, who by the special grace of God have received many heavenly privileges above other men.
w Luke 10:20.
58 Namely, in the book of life. See Luke 10:20; Philip. 4:3; Rev. 13:8.
59 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.
60 Or, sanctified.
24And to Jesus 61the mediator of the new covenant, and to 62the blood ofx sprinkling, that speaketh better things 63than that of Abel.y
61 Namely, contrasted to Moses, who was but a type of the true Mediator Jesus Christ.
62 Namely, wherewith the New Testament is confirmed, and our consciences are purified. See Heb. 9:11, etc.
x Heb. 10:22; 1 Peter 1:2.
63 That is, than the blood of Abel, which cried for vengeance before God, Gen. 4:10, whereas the blood of Christ cries for reconciliation and peace with God.
y Gen. 4:10; Heb. 11:4.
25Seez that ye refuse not 64him that speaketh. For if they 65escaped not who refused him 66that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from 67him that speaketh from heaven:
z Heb. 2:3.
64 Namely, Christ, Who speaks by His Spirit and Word.
65 Namely, the wrath or judgment of God.
66 Namely, Moses. For, the apostle continually sets before their eyes the example of the Israelites in the wilderness, their rebellion against Moses, and the punishments following thereupon.
67 Namely, Jesus Christ the Son of God, Who came down from heaven, John 3:13, and is the Lord from heaven, 1 Cor. 15:47, and Who now, being in heaven at the right hand of His Father, speaks continually unto us by His Spirit and ministers.
2668Whose voice then shook 69the earth: but now 70he hath 71promised, saying, Yetaa once more I 72shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
68 Namely, of Jesus Christ; for, He was that Angel of God’s countenance Who spoke to Moses, Exod. 3:2, 4, etc., and by Whom also the law was given, Acts 7:38.
69 Namely, in the giving of the law; whereof see Exodus 19.
70 Namely, the same Jesus Christ, as the eternal Son of God, and Mediator between God and men. For, the entire contexture of the words requires this interpretation.
71 Namely, by the prophet Haggai, Hag. 2:7, where he prophesies of the coming of Christ and of the calling of the Gentiles.
aa Hag. 2:7.
72 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 sending of the Holy Spirit over the whole earth, whereby the ceremonial worship of the law, and the idolatry of the Gentiles was abolished, and the spiritual worship of God set up everywhere; which caused a great commotion and change, not only upon earth, but also in heaven, seeing even the angels wonder at it and are desirous to look into it, Eph. 3:10; 1 Peter 1:12.
27And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things 73that are shaken, as of things 74that are made, that those things 75which cannot be shaken may 76remain.
73 That is, of the mutable, as the first tabernacle and the worship of God were cleaving thereto.
74 Namely, with people’s hands, out of perishing matter.
75 That is, the spiritual things which were signified thereby, and accomplished in the New Testament. Unto which belongs also the new heaven and earth, of which Isaiah prophesies, Isa. 65:17, etc.
76 Namely, unchangeable in the congregation of God.
28Wherefore we receiving a 77kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have 78grace, wherebyab we may serve God 79acceptably with 80reverence and godly fear:
77 Namely, which begins in us here, and shall be perfected hereafter.
78 Namely, which we have already received.
ab 1 Peter 2:5.
79 Namely, not by ceremonial and outward things, but in spiritual, which always please God in Christ. See Rom. 12:1; 14:17, 18; Heb. 13:21, etc.
80 Or, shame and fear.
29Forac our God is 81a consuming fire.
ac Deut. 4:24.
81 That is, as a consuming fire, namely, towards them who are disobedient or become apostate.