consuming fire . From Deuteronomy 4:24 . Compare Exodus 21:17 . Psalms 50:3 ; Psalms 97:3 . 2 Thessalonians 1:8 ; &c. consuming . Greek. katanalisko. Only here. Intensive of analisko (Luke 9:54 .Galatians 1:5 , Galatians 1:15 . 2 Thessalonians 2:8 ). read more
Hebrews 12:28-29. Wherefore, we receiving a kingdom, &c.— "As therefore we have received such an unshaken kingdom, which shall never be removed to make way for any different establishment, and which gives to the faithful the assurance of a reign in eternal glory; Let us see to it; that we have grace, whereby we may serve God, from whom we receive it, in an acceptable manner.—As that grace is so freely offered to us in the gospel, let us not be so wanting to ourselves as to fall short of it:... read more
29. Greek, "For even": "for also"; introducing an additional solemn incentive to diligence. Quoted from :-. our God—in whom we hope, is also to be feared. He is love (1 John 4:8; 1 John 4:16); yet there is another side of His character; God has wrath against sin (Hebrews 10:27; Hebrews 10:31). read more
A. The Danger of Unresponsiveness (the Fifth Warning) 12:14-29The writer now turned from the hearers’ responsibility as they experienced suffering (Hebrews 12:1-13) to the peril of rejecting God who continues to speak to us through His Son using the Scriptures. As the preceding pericope (Hebrews 12:1-13), this one is also a chiasm.A Exhortation (Hebrews 12:14-17) B Exposition (Hebrews 12:18-24)A’ Exhortation (Hebrews 12:25-29)"The synthesis of so many significant themes and motifs within a... read more
3. The consequences of apostasy 12:25-29The writer shifted again from exposition to exhortation. The hook word "speak" (Gr. lalounti and lalounta) in Hebrews 12:24-25 ties the two sections together. read more
Our kingdom is eternal. Our motive should be gratitude. Our activity should be the service of God. Our attitude toward Him should be reverence and awe in view of His ability to judge the unfaithful (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:14-15)."As a consuming fire, God purifies all that is unworthy and unacceptable in those who serve Him and all that is unfit to abide in His presence." [Note: Pentecost, A Faith . . ., p. 225.] Many readers of Hebrews associate the figure of God consuming with His judging... read more
12:29 fire. (h-8) See Deuteronomy 4:24 ; Deuteronomy 9:3 . read more
The Contest. Endurance, Holiness, and Divine Communion proposed to the Sons of GodInspired by the example of those victorious heroes of faith who now encompass us, we ought to run our race patiently, looking to Jesus the supreme example of patient endurance (Hebrews 12:1-2). The present sufferings are the discipline of a loving Father, and are actually evidence of our being His children. Be brave, therefore, and help others to be the same (Hebrews 12:3-13). Beware of strife and impurity, taking... read more
(18-29) The exhortation to faithfulness is most impressively enforced by means of a comparison between the earlier revelation and that which is given in Christ.The mount that might be touched.—It appears certain that the word “mount” has no place in the true Greek text. Had this word been in the sentence as originally written, its absence from all our more ancient authorities would be inexplicable; whilst, on the other hand, the contrast with Hebrews 12:22, and the recollection of Deuteronomy... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Hebrews 12:18-29
God’s mercy and God’s judgment (12:18-29)There is no similarity between the experience of Israelite people under the old covenant and that of Christians under the new. Events that accompanied the giving of the law at Mount Sinai show that people saw the old covenant as something terrifying (18-21; cf. Exodus 19:12-13; Exodus 20:18-19). By contrast, Christians see the new covenant as something joyful. They are not kept at a distance from God as the Israelites were at Mount Sinai, but come right... read more