Hebrews 12:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

NIV: Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

NASB: For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

CSB: For consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you won't grow weary and give up.

NLT: Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

KJV: For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

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

The prior verse mentioned Jesus, and His willingness to endure suffering for the sake of future joy. In particular, Jesus' attitude towards suffering is important. The fact of His persecution is, of course, meaningful. However, as used here, the more crucial point is that Jesus saw those hardships as part of God's plan, and a plan for Jesus' own benefit!

Here, the writer emphasizes that we should take the same approach when faced with trials of our own. Jesus endured terrible hardships at the hands of His enemies (Hebrews 2:10; Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 27:26). Even though Jesus was God incarnate (Hebrews 1:3), He was still subjected to "hostility" and struggle. As this passage continues, the writer will point out that the existence of trials in this life is not evidence that God despises us. Jesus lived the only perfectly sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), and still experienced pain and suffering. When we face those challenges in our lives, we should not see it as a sign that God has abandoned us.

Hebrews 12:3–17 builds from a description of heroes of the faith, culminating in Jesus Christ. Those who came before were loved by God and honored by God, and yet they suffered hardships in this world. In this passage, the writer makes it clear that suffering is often God's way of building us up and training us, not necessarily a sign of His displeasure. Christians who respond to trials by seeking God, in faith, can avoid the fate of less-faithful men, like Esau.

Chapter 11 explained the victories of some of the Old Testament's greatest heroes. It also explained their sufferings and persecution. This chapter uses those examples as a ''cloud of witnesses'' to prove that God does not abandon us when we suffer. In many cases, He uses those experiences to ''train'' us, as if we were athletes, to make us stronger. In other cases, it's the same kind of discipline that a child receives from a loving father. Unlike the old covenant, which rightly inspired fear and dread, the new covenant offers us peace. As with any other matter of truth or falsehood, we should cling to what's true, so that we can be part of ''a kingdom that cannot be shaken.''

Hebrews chapter 12 builds on the example of the heroes of the faith mentioned in chapter 11. The main point of this lesson is that these figures endured suffering and hardship, yet held to their faith in God, which allowed them to achieve victory. Chapter 12, in particular, points out that earthly hardship is not a sign of God's displeasure, or abandonment. Rather, it's part of living in a fallen, godless world. And, in many cases, it's a form of ''training'' the Lord uses to mold us into more powerful instruments. This, as with other passages in Hebrews, leads into another explanation of why we should take these ideas seriously, and sets up a few final practical lessons in chapter 13.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.

Accessed 5/6/2024 8:38:46 AM