Hebrews 12:15-17
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:12-17
A threefold cord of duty. The word "wherefore" ( Hebrews 12:12 ) connects this admonition with what goes before. For these reasons, says the apostle—since the Savior was subjected to such hard treatment at the hands of wicked men; since your own resistance to sin has not yet exposed you to bloodshed; since your very trials are an expression of God's fatherly love; and since his chastisements are fitted to be so profitable in their results—surely you will never allow yourselves to fall... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:14-15
The worst perils of the Christian life. It may be presumed that these people suffering persecution are somewhat discontented and murmuring under it. Thus persecution may become a temptation; it may bulk so largely before the eye as to hide far worse perils. It would almost seem as if the writer had the Beatitudes in mind. tie has been seeking to illustrate the blessedness of those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. And now in Hebrews 12:14 he urges not to lose the blessedness of... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:15
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God ; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many (or, according to the more probable reading, the many , i.e. the general community) be defiled. In this, the usual rendering of the verse, ᾗ is supplied, so as to make μήτις ὑστερῶν mean "lest there be any one that fails." But this is not necessary; the verb ἐνοχλῇ ("trouble you") may be common both to the first μήτις and to μήτις... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:16-17
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 ( i.e. desired to inherit) the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. The word "fornicator" is to be understood literally, not figuratively (as Ebrard) of spiritual fornication (see ἁγιασμὸν , Hebrews 12:14 ). βέβηλος ("profane") denotes one... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:16-17
Esau; or, the sacrifice of the spiritual for the sensuous. "Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person," etc. There is much about this man, Esau, which is noble and attractive. "Esau, the shaggy, red-haired huntsman, the man of the field, with his arrows, his quiver, and his bow, coming in weary from the chase, caught as with the levity and eagerness of a child by the sight of the lentil soup—'Feed me, I pray thee, with the red, red pottage'—yet so full of generous impulse, so... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 12:16-17
Esau—a warning. Esau is an excellent example of what serious results may come out of sheer thoughtlessness. There were special reasons why Esau should be a careful, thoughtful, prudent man. Thoughtfulness is the need of every man in such a maze as life is continually tending to become, but the position of some makes thoughtfulness a special duty. So it was with Esau. He had the birthright. To him it specially belonged to continue and increase the prosperity and credit of the family. Yet... read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 12:15
Looking diligently - This phrase implies close attention. It is implied that there are reasons why we should take special care. Those reasons are found in the propensities of our hearts to evil; in the temptations of the world; in the allurements to apostasy presented by the great adversary of our souls.Lest any man fail - As every man is in danger, it is his personal duty to see to it that his salvation be secure.Fail of the grace of God - Margin, “fail from.” The Greek is, “lest any one be... read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 12:16
Lest there be any fornicator - The sin here referred to is one of those which would spread corruption in the church, and against which they ought to be especially on their guard. Allusion is made to Esau as an example, who, himself a corrupt and profane man, for a trifle threw away the highest honor which as a son he could have. Many have regarded the word used here as referring to idolatry, or defection from the true religion to a false one - as the word is often used in the Old Testament -... read more
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John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Hebrews 12:17
Verse 17 17.When he would have inherited the blessing, etc. He at first regarded as a sport the act by which he had sold his birthright, as though it was a child’s play; but at length, when too late, he found what a loss he had incurred, when the blessing transferred by his father to Jacob was refused to him. Thus they who are led away by the allurements of this world alienate themselves from God, and sell their own salvation that they may feed on the morsels of this world, without thinking... read more