Charles Spurgeon Commentary Hebrews 12:15-17

"looking carefully lest [there be] any man that falleth short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby the many be defiled; lest [there be] any fornication, or profane person, as Esau, who for one mess of meat sold his own birthright. For ye know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for a change of mind [in his father,] though he sought is diligently with tears." — Hebrews 12:15-17 (ASV)

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.

It was done and could not be undone. Does it not seem strange that after speaking to us about being God's sons and favoured with his love, yet even then, in that clear blaze of light, this caution against fornication and profanity is introduced? Alas! How near a foul spot may be to lily-like whiteness.

How Judas may sit side by side with favoured and true-hearted apostles, indeed, and may be near the Master, too. Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

And, oh, friends, if at any time the pottage should seem very sweet and we should be very hungry, if the world's gain should be almost necessary to our livelihood, and we are tempted to do an unrighteous thing to get it, let us take care. For Esau could not undo the terrible act of selling his birthright, neither could we, if we were permitted to do such a thing. God grant we may be spared from such a dreadful crime!