I have a confession to make: I am not as occupied with Jesus Christ as I should be. I do not heed this command in Hebrews 12:3 as frequently as I should. Therefore my faith is not what it could be.
One translation reads, "For consider fully the One having endured such great hostility from sinners against Himself..." (Berean Literal Bible translation). How is this possible? This translation communicates that this verb means more that just casually considering Jesus. Thus the title of this article.
One translation reads, "For consider fully the One having endured such great hostility from sinners against Himself..." (Berean Literal Bible translation). How is this possible? This translation communicates that this verb means more that just casually considering Jesus. Thus the title of this article.
I am renewing my mind, heart and soul to be more consistent and accept the challenge to carry out this momentous task again today. May I seriously consider this One Jesus, today and every day. Won't you join me?
The context of this command in Hebrews 12:3 goes back to how this great inspired epistle began. It's all about Jesus! He is our faithful and merciful high priest who has made it possible for us to come "boldly to the throne of grace" of the holy God to whom we owe our life. Jesus is the One who has completed faith! He perfectly fulfilled the Father's will, trusting Him and caring out His plan to the ultimate end of laying down His life for us so that we could enjoy Him forever!
Here's the immediate context of Hebrews 12:3 (mostly from the Berean Literal Bible translation):
"Therefore, having such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, having laid aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us, we should run with endurance the race lying before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who in view of the joy set before Him endured the cross, having despised its shame, and sat down at right hand of the throne of God. For consider fully the One having endured such great hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you shall not grow weary, fainting in your souls. (Hebrews 12:1-3).
"Therefore, having such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, having laid aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us, we should run with endurance the race lying before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who in view of the joy set before Him endured the cross, having despised its shame, and sat down at right hand of the throne of God. For consider fully the One having endured such great hostility from sinners against Himself, so that you shall not grow weary, fainting in your souls. (Hebrews 12:1-3).
Here's another challenge for you: Read and study this letter to the Hebrews so that you can more completely consider Jesus!
May the notes that follow be a help to you.
May the notes that follow be a help to you.
We need to have a faith that endures; a vibrant, living faith that perseveres to the end of our lives or until Christ returns. For the initial recipients of this inspired letter, this was a challenge to reaffirm their confidence that Jesus was indeed the Messiah, the promised Anointed One of God. Tragically and apparently, too many of them had let go of what they had originally professed concerning Christ Jesus.
Challenges to “hold fast” to their confidence in Christ are given a number times in Hebrews.
Hebrews 3:6 (All Scripture quotations that follow are from NASB, unless otherwise noted.) "... But Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end."
Hebrews 3:14
" . . . For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end; . . ."
Hebrews 10:23
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope [in Christ as our faithful high priest] without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; . . ." (brackets added)
The translation “hold fast” in these verses is from katecho (phonetic spelling kat-ekh'-o) and in this context means to “retain faithfully” and “keep the confidence firm” (3:14) (BAGD, pp. 422-423). The original readers of this inspired letter were to keep on holding on to their faith in Jesus as Messiah that they originally had.
Hebrews 3:6 (All Scripture quotations that follow are from NASB, unless otherwise noted.) "... But Christ was faithful as a Son over His house whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end."
Hebrews 3:14
" . . . For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end; . . ."
Hebrews 10:23
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope [in Christ as our faithful high priest] without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; . . ." (brackets added)
The translation “hold fast” in these verses is from katecho (phonetic spelling kat-ekh'-o) and in this context means to “retain faithfully” and “keep the confidence firm” (3:14) (BAGD, pp. 422-423). The original readers of this inspired letter were to keep on holding on to their faith in Jesus as Messiah that they originally had.
We may not be struggling exactly like they were but we still need to have a faith that endures to the end of our life or until Christ returns (10:37-38). The quality of our faith is to be such that it is expressed in actions that are consistent with what we say we believe concerning Christ.
Hebrews 4:14
"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."
In the context of this verse we are challenged to “hold fast” (krateo) our profession of faith in Jesus as the Savior who had offered Himself as the acceptable sacrifice for sin. Here krateo means to continue to retain this truth in faithfulness to the Lord Jesus.
When it comes to the Person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, there will always be more to discover. As we keep looking unto Jesus in His Word, there is always more beyond. When it comes to the knowledge of our gracious Master and Savior, Jesus Christ, there will always be more to learn (cf. 2 Peter 3:18).
"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."
In the context of this verse we are challenged to “hold fast” (krateo) our profession of faith in Jesus as the Savior who had offered Himself as the acceptable sacrifice for sin. Here krateo means to continue to retain this truth in faithfulness to the Lord Jesus.
When it comes to the Person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, there will always be more to discover. As we keep looking unto Jesus in His Word, there is always more beyond. When it comes to the knowledge of our gracious Master and Savior, Jesus Christ, there will always be more to learn (cf. 2 Peter 3:18).
Before the days of Christopher Columbus in the latter part of the fifteenth century, the Spanish proclaimed on their coins the Latin words Ne Plus Ultra, which meant “No More Beyond.” As they looked to the ocean and saw nothing beyond, their conclusion was there was nothing more than more water. But after the explorations of Columbus, the Spanish changed the inscription on their coins to read Plus Ultra, “More Beyond.” Elsewhere it has also been noted that this inscription is found on a monument:
In Valladolid, Spain, where Christopher Columbus died in 1506, stands a monument commemorating the great discoverer. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the memorial is a statue of a lion destroying one of the Latin words that had been part of Spain’s motto for centuries. Before Columbus made his voyages, the Spaniards thought they had reached the outer limits of earth. Thus their motto was “Ne Plus Ultra,” which means “No More Beyond.” The word being torn away by the lion is “ne” or “no,” making it read “Plus Ultra.” Columbus had proven that there was indeed “more beyond.” (http://bible.org/node/10347)
Leading up to the challenge in Hebrews 12:2 to keep “fixing our eyes on Jesus,” we find what has been called “the great hall of faith.” We have our “Halls of Fame” throughout our land that have been established to honor those who have had success in sports arenas. But in Hebrews 11 we have a “Hall of Faith.” The believers of the time before Christ came proclaim to us their success before God as they lived out their faith. Just before the Spirit moved the author of Hebrews to write of some of the specific acts of their living faith, he provides a definition of faith in 11:1. Here are four translations of this verse:
"Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen." Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." New King James Version (NKJV)
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." New American Standard Bible (NASB)
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." New International Version (NIV)
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." New King James Version (NKJV)
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." New American Standard Bible (NASB)
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." New International Version (NIV)
Notice how the words are variously translated. Whenever this is observed among good translations of the Bible, it is a safe assumption that the translators are wrestling with the meaning of the Greek terms. The words "reality," “substance,” “assurance,” and “being sure” are translations of hupostasis. This word is used of God’s Son, Jesus Christ in Hebrews 1:3, where it is translated “nature” (NASB, HCSB), “being” or “person” (NKJV) (cf. Hebrews 3:14). The words translated “proof,” “evidence,” “conviction,” and “certain,” are from elenkos. Each of these translations is helpful in gaining an appreciation for the meaning of the words used. Each translation therefore provides more insight so that we can appreciate the meaning and application of this verse. (Another challenge: Determine what you believe the Spirit of God intends for us to understand from this verse!)
There is a progression of thought from the order of the translations given above. The truth of God and His Word provides for the objective “reality” of our faith (HCSB). Therefore our faith may have “substance” (NKJV). It then may become that which provides “assurance” (NASB). The NIV expands upon this idea and presents the strongest statement about faith. Faith is “being sure” and “certain” that what God has promised will come true. This was the testimony of the believers of Hebrews 11. Their behavior, their living faith, provides the “proof” (HCSB) of their strong confidence in the Lord and His promises. Underlying their actions was their faith in God and His Word
Since the believers of the Old Testament had the assurance that God was a God of truth and since they had convictions about their future with God beyond this life, they acted upon what they understood about God and His plan. These believers were sure of God's promises and were certain about what they could not see. And their lives revealed the quality of their faith. Their faith had substance. The faith in their souls was an attitude or way of thinking that was based upon reasonable evidence. They counted on the reality of things they could not see physically. They had good reason to believe that they were not laying down their lives for nothing. What they did by faith would matter forever. God would reward them for their faith in Himself and in His Word (11:6, 16-17). Because of the quality of their faith they were truly successful in life from God’s view.
These acts of faith of the Old Testament believers recorded in Hebrews 11 were built upon their knowledge of God. Gresham Machen offers this concerning faith and knowledge:
"Knowledge of God is regarded by the Bible as involved in faith and as the necessary prerequisite of faith. We can trust God, according to the Bible, because He has revealed Himself as trustworthy. The knowledge that God has graciously given us of Himself is the basis of our confidence in Him; the God of the Bible is One whom it is reasonable to trust."
"Knowledge of God is regarded by the Bible as involved in faith and as the necessary prerequisite of faith. We can trust God, according to the Bible, because He has revealed Himself as trustworthy. The knowledge that God has graciously given us of Himself is the basis of our confidence in Him; the God of the Bible is One whom it is reasonable to trust."
These seven principles are drawn from Hebrews 11 and 12 about having a faith that endures unto maturity in Christ:
(1) Having a faith that endures is essential in pleasing God for “without faith it is impossible to please” Him.
"Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him." Hebrews 11:6, HCSB
"Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him." Hebrews 11:6, HCSB
(2) Having a faith that endures is revealed in doing “the will of God,” acting upon our faith in deeds done in the power of the Spirit to the glory of God. Hebrews 10:36 – 11:38; cf. John 14 – 16
(3) Having a faith that endures may mean letting go of certain things in life. 11:24-26, 35-38; 12:1
(4) Having a faith that endures is encouraged by the witness of the Old Testament faithful. 12:1
The testimony of the acts of faith of the “great cloud of witnesses” (believers of Old Testament times) is especially encouraging because they “did not receive what was promised” (11:39-40). They lived before the coming of the promised Messiah. Hebrews 11:40 states from the NKJV, “. . . they should not be made perfect apart from us,” since we live after the cross of Christ and His resurrection which completed our salvation, our deliverance.
The testimony of the acts of faith of the “great cloud of witnesses” (believers of Old Testament times) is especially encouraging because they “did not receive what was promised” (11:39-40). They lived before the coming of the promised Messiah. Hebrews 11:40 states from the NKJV, “. . . they should not be made perfect apart from us,” since we live after the cross of Christ and His resurrection which completed our salvation, our deliverance.
(5) Having a faith that endures means that we keep on laying aside “the sin …” in our lives. 12:1
(6) Having a faith that endures may result in a longer life. 12:4-11; cp. 10:36-39
(7) In order to have a faith that endures unto maturity in Christ we must keep “fixing our eyes on Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of faith.” 12:2-3; cp. 3:1
Jesus is our supreme example of living by faith. He is the “founder, author, leader,” or “source” of faith. These are all possible translations of the original archegon (cf. Hebrews 2:10). It has been said that Jesus is the “one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith” (searchgodsword.org). The noun translated “perfecter” is teleiotes, which only occurs here in the New Testament. However the verb form, teleioo, occurs three times in Hebrews with reference to Jesus (2:10; 5:9; 7:28; cp. 7:19; 9:9; 10:1, 14; 11:40; 12:23).
Jesus is the founder or author of faith in that He established it from the beginning. He is the One that enabled people to live by faith from Able to those who first read and studied the Epistle to the Hebrews. So the faith that Jesus authored and completed is a reference to the living faith that was within Jesus and may be within us that results in the application of the truth in our walk with God.
Because the Christ was perfected faith through His work, we should endure in our confidence in Him and live by faith in the application of His Word.
Because the Christ was perfected faith through His work, we should endure in our confidence in Him and live by faith in the application of His Word.
We may endure or persevere in our faith more and more as we keep prominent in our thinking the Person of Christ and what He endured for us on the cross of Calvary.
If we maintain our confidence in Christ as Savior and provider for all of life, this should include resting in Him and His ability to sustain us, taking Him at His word. This may be called the faith-rest life (cf. Matthew 11:27-30).
Hebrews 6:17-18
" . . . God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us."
" . . . God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, in order that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, we who have fled for refuge in laying hold of the hope set before us."
What a beautiful expression is applied to believers who keep on trusting Christ Jesus as their Messiah Savior in these verses. Such believers have not become “dull of hearing” but have been feeding on the meat of the truth of Jesus Christ as their faithful high priest (cf. Hebrews 5:5-14). They have “strong encouragement” for they “have fled for refuge in laying hold” (krateo) of what God has promised them in Christ Jesus. These promises from God include the rest found in trusting Jesus in this life and being a fellow-heir with Christ and enjoying a wonderful inheritance in His kingdom (cf. Hebrews 4:1ff.; 6:11-12; 9:15; 10:36-38).
May we be like the author of this letter and other faithful believers with him. “We are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul” (10:39). If we do not have a faith like they did, we may face severe discipline and, possibly, a premature death.
Seriously consider the One Jesus!
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