Charles Spurgeon Commentary Hebrews 12:16

"lest [there be] any fornication, or profane person, as Esau, who for one mess of meat sold his own birthright." — Hebrews 12:16 (ASV)

Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

Those who seek the pleasures of the flesh rather than the pleasures of a higher world are here likened to Esau. Now Esau sold the right to his future heritage for a present mess of pottage, and many do something very similar: they sell their souls for a little Sunday trading, or for a little carnal company, a little of that fool's mirth which is like the crackling of thorns under a pot. They are willing to damn themselves for all eternity because they cannot bear the jeers and sneers of a scoffing world. O brothers, let us not be like them or like Esau!

Lest there be any fornicator,

Fornication was far too common in the early church, but it was not thought to be sin by the great mass of pagans; but, oh, what a defiling sin it is!

Or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

He was thus guilty of spiritual fornication, preferring his meat to his Maker, thinking more of one morsel of meat than of his birthright.