Matthew Henry Commentary Hebrews 12

The persevering obedience of faith in Christ was the race set before the Hebrews, in which they must either win the crown of glory, or have everlasting misery for their portion; and it is set before us. By the sin that does so easily beset us, understand that sin to which we are most prone, or to which we are most exposed, from habit, age, or circumstances. This is a most important exhortation, for while a man's darling sin, whatever it may be, remains unsubdued, it will hinder him from running the Christian race, as it takes from him every motive for running and gives power to every discouragement.

When weary and faint in their minds, let them recollect that the holy Jesus suffered to save them from eternal misery. By steadfastly looking to Jesus, their thoughts would strengthen holy affections and keep in check their carnal desires. Let us then frequently consider him. What are our little trials compared to his agonies, or even to our deserts?

What are they compared to the sufferings of many others? There is a tendency in believers to grow weary and to faint under trials and afflictions; this is from the imperfection of grace and the remains of corruption. Christians should not faint under their trials. Though their enemies and persecutors may be instruments to inflict sufferings, yet they are Divine chastisements; their heavenly Father has his hand in all, and his wise purpose to accomplish through all.

They must not make light of afflictions and be without feeling under them, for they are the hand and rod of God, and are his rebukes for sin. They must not despond and sink under trials, nor fret and complain, but bear up with faith and patience. God may let others alone in their sins, but he will correct sin in his own children. In this he acts as befits a father.

Our earthly parents sometimes may chasten us to satisfy their own anger, rather than to correct our behavior. But the Father of our souls never willingly grieves nor afflicts his children. It is always for our profit. Our whole life here is a state of childhood, and imperfect in spiritual things; therefore we must submit to the discipline of such a state. When we come to a perfect state, we shall be fully reconciled to all God's chastisement of us now.

God's correction is not condemnation; the chastening may be borne with patience, and greatly promote holiness. Let us then learn to consider the afflictions brought on us by the malice of men as corrections sent by our wise and gracious Father for our spiritual good.

A burden of affliction tends to make the Christian's hands hang down and his knees grow feeble, to dishearten and discourage him; but he must strive against this, so that he may better run his spiritual race and course. Faith and patience enable believers to follow peace and holiness, as a person follows their calling constantly, diligently, and with pleasure. Peace with men, of all sects and parties, will be helpful for our pursuit of holiness.

But peace and holiness go together; there can be no true peace without holiness. Where persons lack the true grace of God, corruption will prevail and break forth. Beware that no unmortified lust in the heart, which seems to be dead, should spring up, to trouble and disturb the whole body. Falling away from Christ is the fruit of preferring the delights of the flesh to the blessing of God and the heavenly inheritance, as Esau did.

But sinners will not always have such poor thoughts of the Divine blessing and inheritance as they now have. It is characteristic of the profane person's disposition, to desire the blessing, yet to despise the means by which the blessing is to be gained. But God will neither sever the means from the blessing, nor join the blessing with the satisfying of human lusts. God's mercy and blessing have never been carefully sought without being obtained.

Mount Sinai, on which the Jewish church-state was formed, was a mountain that could be touched (though the people were forbidden to do so)—a place that could be physically experienced. Consequently, the Mosaic dispensation was largely concerned with outward and earthly things.

In contrast, the gospel state is kind, demonstrating gracious condescension, suited to our weak human nature. Under the gospel, everyone may approach God's presence with boldness.

But even the most holy person would despair if judged by the holy law given from Sinai, without a Savior. The gospel church is called Mount Zion; there, believers have clearer views of heaven and more heavenly dispositions of soul. All the children of God are heirs, and each one has the privileges of the firstborn.

Imagine a soul joining that glorious assembly and church above, yet remaining unacquainted with God. If this soul is still carnally-minded, loving this present world and its affairs, looking back at it with a lingering eye, full of pride and deceit, and filled with sinful desires, it would seem to have mistaken its way, its place, its spiritual state, and its companions.

Such a soul would be uneasy with itself and with all around it. Christ is the Mediator of this new covenant between God and humanity, to bring them together in this covenant; to keep them together; to plead with God for us, and to plead with us for God; and finally to bring God and His people together in heaven. This covenant is made firm by the blood of Christ sprinkled upon our consciences, just as the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled upon the altar and the victim.

This blood of Christ speaks on behalf of sinners; it pleads not for vengeance, but for mercy.

Therefore, see to it that you do not refuse His gracious call and offered salvation. See that you do not refuse Him who speaks from heaven with infinite tenderness and love. For how can those escape who turn from God in unbelief or apostasy, while He so graciously beseeches them to be reconciled and to receive His everlasting favor?

God's way of dealing with people under the gospel through grace assures us that He will deal with those who despise the gospel through judgment.

We cannot worship God acceptably unless we worship Him with reverence and godly fear. Only the grace of God enables us to worship God rightly. God is the same just and righteous God under the gospel as under the law. The inheritance of believers is secured for them, and all things pertaining to salvation are freely given in answer to prayer. Let us therefore seek grace, so that we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.