Sunday Evening Bible Study

February 11, 2001

Introduction

The Jewish believers who were reading the original letter had been going through a great deal of persecution since they started believing in Jesus as their Messiah.

Some of them had even been tempted to just give up in trusting in Jesus and go back to Judaism like they were before they were saved. But the writer has over and over again stressed the importance of faith, of enduring and continuing to trust in Jesus.

Talking about enduring, I’ve found a story about a dog who endured …

Illustration

Smart Dog

A wealthy man decided to go on a safari in Africa. He took his faithful pet dog along for company. One day the dog starts chasing butterflies and before long he discovers that he is lost. So, wandering about he notices a leopard heading rapidly in is direction with the obvious intention of having lunch.

The dog thinks, "Boyo, I'm in deep trouble now."(He was an Irish setter).... Then he noticed some bones on the ground close by, and immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat.

Just as the leopard is about to leap, the dog exclaims loudly, "Man, That was one delicious leopard. I wonder if there are any more around here?" Hearing this the leopard halts his attack in mid stride, as a look of terror comes over him, and slinks away into the trees. "Whew", says the leopard." That was close. That dog nearly had me."

Meanwhile, a monkey who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put his knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard. So, off he goes. But the dog saw him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figured that something must be up.

The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard. The cat is furious at being made a fool of and says, "Here monkey, hop on my back and see what's going to happen to that conniving canine."

Now the dog sees the leopard coming with the monkey on his back, and thinks, "What am I going to do now?" But instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers pretending he hasn't seen them yet.

And just when they get close enough to hear, the dog says, "Where's that monkey. I just can never trust him. I sent him off half an hour ago to bring me another leopard, and he's still not back!!" 

Hebrews 12

:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,

wherefore – toigaroun – wherefore then, for which reason, therefore, consequently

so great – tosoutos – of quantity: so great, so many

compassed about – perikeimai – to lie around; to be compassed with, have round one.  Present participle

cloud – nephos – a cloud, a large dense multitude, a throng; used to denote a great shapeless collection of vapour obscuring the heavens as opposed to a particular and definite masses of vapour with some form or shape; a cloud in the sky

witnesses – martus – a witness

The author is referring to the many people he referred to back in chapter 11, those who learned to live “by faith”.

These were all people who learned to trust in God.  They learned to trust in what they didn’t see.  They learned to move, live, and act based on their trust in God and not in their circumstances.

Some had accomplished great victories through their faith, others were tortured and suffered because of their faith.

And they’re all watching.  They’re all up in the stands of heaven watching.

:1  let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,

weight – ogkos – whatever is prominent, protuberance, bulk, mass; hence a burden, weight, encumbrance

lay aside – apotithemi – to put off or aside or away.  Aorist participle

beset – euperistatos (“well” + “around” + “stand”) – skilfully surrounding i.e. besetting

sin – hamartia – sin; to be without a share in; to miss the mark; to err, be mistaken; to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong; to wander from the law of God, violate God’s law, sin; that which is done wrong, sin, an offence, a violation of the divine law in thought or in act

:1  and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

patience – hupomone – steadfastness, constancy, endurance; in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings; patiently, and steadfastly; a patient, steadfast waiting for; a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

The author used this word in:

(Heb 10:32 KJV)  But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;

(Heb 10:35-36 KJV)  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. {36} For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

The same word translated “endured” in the next couple of verses:

(Heb 12:2-3 KJV)  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. {3} For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

This has been one of the main themes of Hebrews, learning to have patience, learning to endure, learning to stay clinging to Jesus.

One of the keys to enduring is fellowship.

We need to have people around us that are close enough to encourage us, sometimes even giving us a little nudge to keep following Jesus:

(Heb 3:12-14 KJV)  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. {13} But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. {14} For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

(Heb 10:23-25 KJV)  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) {24} And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: {25} Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Another of the keys to enduring is faith.

Hebrews 11 is all about learning to trust God even when we don’t see what is going on.  Example after example is given of the various men and women who trusted God and did what God wanted despite circumstances that should have told them to not obey.

(Heb 11:8 KJV)  By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

We’re going to learn a third key to enduring (looking unto Jesus) in the next verse.

let us run – trecho – to run; of persons in haste; of those who run in a race course; by a metaphor taken from runners in a race, to exert one’s self, strive hard; to spend one’s strength in performing or attaining something.  Present subjunctive

set before – prokeimai – to lie or be placed before (a person or a thing) or in front of; to set before; to be placed before the eyes, to lie in sight.  Present participle.

the race – agon – an assembly,; a place of assembly: especially an assembly met to see games; the place of contest, the arena or stadium; the assembly of the Greeks at their national games; hence the contest for a prize at their games; generally, any struggle or contest

What is the race set before us?

It’s the race to follow Jesus.  It’s the race to be a Christian.

:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;

looking – aphorao (“away” + “look”) – to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something

One of the key ideas to understanding a life of faith is learning to understand the place of “seeing”.

Faith is all about learning to trust in something or someone you don’t see.

(Heb 11:1 KJV)  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

seen – blepo – to see, discern, of the bodily eye; metaph. to see with the mind’s eye; to discern mentally, observe, perceive, discover, understand.

(Heb 11:3 KJV)  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

(Heb 11:7 KJV)  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

(Heb 11:13 KJV)  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

Heb 11:23  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw [he was] a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

Moses’ parents made a choice of what they “saw”.  They choose not to “see” the king’s command, but they chose instead to “see” the value of their child.

(Heb 11:26 KJV)  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.

he had respect – apoblepo – to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on some one thing; to look at attentively; to look with steadfast mental gaze

(Heb 11:27 KJV)  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

seeing – horao – to see with the eyes

(Heb 11:39-40 KJV)  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: {40} God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

having provided – problepo – to foresee; to provide

God “saw” something ahead that was better for us.  He saw Jesus.

the author – archegos (“beginning” + “lead”) – the chief leader, prince; one that takes the lead in any thing and thus affords an example, a predecessor in a matter, pioneer; the author

finisher – teleiotes – a perfector; one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith

(Heb 12:2 NLT)  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish…

:2  who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,

for – anti – over against, opposite to, before; for, instead of, in place of (something)

This is speaking of Jesus looking forward to the joy He would one day have in saving us and being together in heaven, and He was willing to endure the cross for our sakes to achieve this.

Jesus gave us an example by looking ahead to the end of the race.  We look to the end of the race, looking to Jesus.

set before – prokeimai – to lie or be placed before (a person or a thing) or in front of; to set before; to be placed before the eyes, to lie in sight

joy – chara – joy, gladness

endured – hupomeno – to remain; to tarry behind; to remain i.e. abide, not recede or flee; to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ; to endure, bear bravely and calmly: ill treatments.  Aorist indicative.

cross – stauros – a cross

shame – aischune – the confusion of one who is ashamed of anything, sense of shame; ignominy, disgrace, dishonour; a thing to be ashamed of

despising – kataphroneo – to contemn, despise, disdain, think little or nothing of

:2  and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

set down – kathizo – to make to sit down; to sit down; to sit

The author has gone to great length to show how Jesus has offered a better sacrifice, His own eternal life, His own blood.  Jesus is also a better high priest because He doesn’t need replacing, He is a priest “forever” after the order of Melchizedek, the One to whom David referred when he wrote,

(Psa 110:1 KJV)  A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Now again, the author is referring to how Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God.  He has finished with His work of sacrifice, He is sitting.

Now the author takes the idea of this finished sacrifice, the idea that Jesus has made it, that He has “arrived”, and turns it around to become an example for these suffering Jewish believers.  They need to look at Jesus so they don’t quit.  They too need to finish their race.

:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

consider – analogizomai – to think over, consider, ponder

Him – toioutos – such as this, of this kind or sort

“Ponder on someone of this kind”

endured – hupomeno – to remain; to tarry behind; to remain i.e. abide, not recede or flee; to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ; to endure, bear bravely and calmly: ill treatments.  Perfect participle.

sinners – hamartolos – devoted to sin, a sinner; not free from sin; pre-eminently sinful, especially wicked; all wicked men; specifically of men stained with certain definite vices or crimes

contradiction – antilogia (“against” + “word”) – gainsaying, contradiction; opposition, rebellion.  NAS – “hostility”; NIV – “opposition”.

Lesson

Enduring people problems.

Jesus faced a lot of junk thrown at him from people who didn’t want to follow Him.

In reality, all the people that gave Jesus a hard time were “sinners”.  In fact, all the people that Jesus ever talked to were “sinners”.

He could have just said, “FORGET IT!!!”  He could have said, “Hey you Pharisees, stop giving Me so many headaches, wake up and smell the coffee!!” 

He could have said, “I don’t have to put up with this!”

Illustration

SECRET TO A LONG MARRIAGE

A couple was celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. Their domestic tranquility had long been the talk of the town. A local newspaper reporter was inquiring as to the secret of their long and happy marriage. “Well, it dates back to our honeymoon,” Explained the man. “We visited the Grand Canyon and took a trip down to the bottom of the canyon by pack mule. We hadn’t gone too far when my wife’s mule stumbled. My wife quietly said, “That’s once.” We proceeded a little farther when the mule stumbled again. Once more my wife quietly said, “That’s twice.” We hadn’t gone a half mile when the mule stumbled a third time. My wife promptly removed a revolver from her pocket and shot him. I started to protest over her treatment of the mule when she looked at me and quietly said, ‘That’s once.’”

He could have easily quit in frustration at the stupid things people were saying, but He didn’t.

lest – “for the purpose of not”.  There’s a reason to be “considering” Jesus.  There’s a purpose behind it.

wearied – kamno – to grow weary, be weary; to be sick

Jas 5:15  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Re 2:3  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

minds – psuche – breath; the soul; the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions (our heart, soul etc.)

faint – ekluo – to loose, unloose, to set free; to dissolve, metaph., to weaken, relax, exhaust; to have one’s strength relaxed, to be enfeebled through exhaustion, to grow weak, grow weary, be tired out; to despond, become faint hearted

:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

unto – mechri – as far as, until

blood – haima – blood; blood shed, to be shed by violence, slay, murder

resisted – antikathistemi – to put in place of another; to place in opposition; to dispose troops, set an army in line of battle; to stand against, resist; to stand in opposition against in line of battle

sin – hamartia – sin ; to be without a share in; to miss the mark; to err, be mistaken; to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong; to wander from the law of God, violate God’s law, sin; that which is done wrong, sin, an offence, a violation of the divine law in thought or in act; collectively, the complex or aggregate of sins committed either by a single person or by many

In context, Jesus endured struggles with “sinners” (verse 3).  This “striving against sin” would probably then refer not to a person’s personal struggle to be free from sin, but also a struggle against people of sin.

striving – antagonizomai (“against” + “struggle” or “race”) – to struggle, fight.

This is a word related to the word translated “race” in verse 1:

(Heb 12:1 KJV)  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

forgotten – eklanthanomai (“out of” + “hidden”) – to cause to forget; to forget

exhortation – paraklesis – a calling near, summons, (esp. for help); importation, supplication, entreaty; exhortation, admonition, encouragement; consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment

children – huios – a son

despise – oligoreo – to care little for, regard lightly, make small account

chastening – paideia – the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body; whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions.; instruction which aims at increasing virtue; chastisement, chastening, (of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment)

This is going to be a major word (seven times!) used throughout 12:5-11.

faint – ekluo – to loose, unloose, to set free; to dissolve, metaph., to weaken, relax, exhaust; to have one’s strength relaxed, to be enfeebled through exhaustion, to grow weak, grow weary, be tired out; to despond, become faint hearted

rebuked – elegcho – to convict, refute, confute; to find fault with, correct

The author is quoting now from:

(Prov 3:11-12 KJV)  My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: {12} For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

loveth – agapao – of persons; to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly

chasteneth – paideuo – to train children; to be instructed or taught or learn; to cause one to learn; to chastise; to chastise or castigate with words, to correct; of those who are molding the character of others by reproof and admonition; to chastise with blows, to scourge; of a father punishing his son

scourgeth – mastigoo – to scourge; from mastix – a whip, scourge

receiveth – paradechomai – to receive, take up, take upon one’s self

Lesson

Tough times are for growing up.

We have to be careful how we look at difficult times.

It may indeed be that God is punishing us for something we’ve done wrong.  Sometimes a father has to spank a child to help the child understand the importance of what they’ve done wrong.

There are times with my children when just talking to them doesn’t get the lesson through to their heart.  Sometimes you have to resort to things a little more severe to get their attention.

But sometimes the difficult times aren’t because of “punishment”, because we’ve done something wrong.  Sometimes it’s just about growing up.

We are the children.  God is our Father.  He is helping us grow. 

Being an adult is generally more difficult than being a child.

Illustration

When you are a grown adult, you take responsibility.  You pay for things.  When you get a bill in the mail, you pay it.  Is it “fun” to pay bills?  Are bills some sort of punishment for doing something wrong?  Well, maybe sometimes, but most of the time a bill is simply the cost of living.

As an adult, you learn to take on difficulty.

As a Christian, part of growing up involves learning to go through difficult times.

:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

chastening – paideia – the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body; whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, esp. by correcting mistakes and curbing passions.; instruction which aims at increasing virtue; chastisement, chastening, (of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment)

endure – hupomeno – to remain; to tarry behind; to remain i.e. abide, not recede or flee; to preserve: under misfortunes and trials to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ; to endure, bear bravely and calmly: ill treatments

dealeth – prosphero – to bring to, lead to; to be borne towards one, to attack, assail; to behave one’s self towards one, deal with one

chasteneth – paideuo – to train children; to be instructed or taught or learn; to cause one to learn; to chastise; to chastise or castigate with words, to correct; of those who are molding the character of others by reproof and admonition; to chastise with blows, to scourge; of a father punishing his son

Lesson

Difficult times prove you are God’s child

Not exactly the proof you were looking for, huh?

:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

partakers – metochos – sharing in, partaking; a partner (in a work, office, dignity)

bastards – nothos – illegitimate, bastard; one born, not in lawful wedlock, but of a concubine or female slave

If you never experience a “chastening”, then it might be that you are not God’s child.

:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

which corrected – paideutes – an instructor, preceptor, teacher; a chastiser

“we were having fathers of our flesh as instructors”

gave … reverence – entrepo – to shame one; to be ashamed; to reverence a person

be in subjection – hupotasso – to arrange under, to subordinate; to subject, put in subjection; to subject one’s self, obey; to submit to one’s control; to yield to one’s admonition or advice; to obey, be subject

If we were respectful to our earthly fathers, how much more to our heavenly father?

:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

few – oligos – little, small, few

pleasure – dokeo – to be of opinion, think, suppose; to seem, to be accounted, reputed; it seems to me; it seems good to, pleased me, I determined

It’s not talking about fathers who really get some kind of thrill out of beating their children.  The idea is that of fathers who discipline their children according to what seems the best to them.

profit – sumphero – to bear or bring together; to help, be profitable, be expedient

might be partakers – metalambano – to be or to be made a partner; to partake of, take [some] food; of a thing, to get, find (a whole)

holiness – hagiotes – sanctity; in a moral sense: holiness

:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

for the present – pareimi – to be by, be at hand, to have arrived, to be present

seemeth – dokeo – to be of opinion, think, suppose; to seem, to be accounted, reputed; it seems to me; I think, judge: thus in question; it seems good to, pleased me, I determined.  Same word was translated “after their own pleasure” in verse 10.

joyous – chara – joy, gladness

grievous – lupe – sorrow, pain, grief, annoyance, affliction

Nobody likes going through tough times.

afterward – husteron – latter, later, coming after, the second; afterward, after this, later, lastly

peaceable – eirenikos – relating to peace; peaceable, pacific, loving peace; bring peace with it, peaceful, salutary

which are exercised – gumnazo – to exercise naked (in a palaestra or school of athletics); to exercise vigorously, in any way, either the body or the mind

it yieldeth – apodidomi – to deliver, to give away for one’s own profit what is one’s own, to sell; to pay off, discharge what is due; a debt, wages, tribute, taxes, produce due

righteousness – dikaiosune – in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God; integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting

Lesson

Tough times bring righteousness

That’s the peaceable fruit that God is producing in our lives through difficult times.

We need to be trained, exercised by our difficult times.

Speaking of training …

Illustration

Gasping For Breath

A senior gas company training supervisor and a young trainee were out checking meters in a suburban neighborhood. They parked their truck at the end of the alley and worked their way to the other end.  At the last house, a woman in her kitchen window watched the two men as they checked her gas meter.  Having finished the meter checks, the supervisor challenged his younger co-worker to a foot race down the alley back to the truck—just to prove that an older guy could outrun a younger one.  As they at last came running up to the truck, they forgot to check who had won since they both realized the lady from that last house was huffing and puffing right behind them. They stopped immediately and asked her what was wrong.  Gasping for breath, she replied, “When I saw two man from the gas company running away from my house as hard as you two were, I figured I’d better run too!”

Sometimes what is meant to be “training” can panic us.  We’re more like the woman who didn’t understand what was going on.  There’s no need to panic.

:12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

which hang down – pariemi – to let pass; to relax, loose, let go; relaxed, unstrung, weakened, exhausted

feeble – paraluo (“paralyze”) – to loose on one side or from the side; to weaken, enfeeble; suffering from the relaxing of the nerves, unstrung, weak of limb; tottering, weakened, feeble knees

lift up – anorthoo (“up” + “make erect”) – to set up, make erect; of a deformed person; to rear again, build anew

(Isa 35:3 KJV)  Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

 

 

:13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

paths – trochia – a track of a wheel, a rut; a track, a path

straight – orthos – straight, erect; upright; straight, not crooked

lame – cholos – lame; deprived of a foot, maimed

turned out of the way – ektrepo – to turn or twist out; in a medical sense used of dislocated limbs; to turn off or aside

healed – iaomai – to cure, heal; to make whole

 

 

:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

follow – dioko – to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away; to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after; to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal; metaph. to pursue; to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire

holiness – hagiasmos – consecration, purification; the effect of consecration; sanctification of heart and life

 

(Rom 12:18 KJV)  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

 

 

:15 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;

looking diligently – episkopeo – to look upon, inspect, oversee, look after, care for; of the care of the church which rested upon the elders; to look carefully, beware.  This is the verb that forms the root word episkopos, the word for “bishop” or “overseer”, a pastor.

fail – hustereo – behind; to be left behind in the race and so fail to reach the goal, to fall short of the end; metaph. fail to become a partaker, fall back from; to fail, be wanting; to be in want of, lack

root – rhiza – a root; that which like a root springs from a root, a sprout, shoot

bitterness – pikria – bitter gall; extreme wickedness; a bitter root, and so producing a bitter fruit; metaph. bitterness, bitter hatred

springing up – phuo – to beget, bring forth, produce; to be born, to spring up, to grow; to shoot forth, spring up

trouble – enochleo – to excite, disturbance, to trouble, annoy; from ochleo – to excite a mob against one; be in confusion, in an uproar

be defiled – miaino – to dye with another colour, to stain; to defile, pollute, sully, contaminate, soil; to defile with sins

 

 

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

fornicator – pornos – a man who prostitutes his body to another’s lust for hire; a male prostitute; a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator

profane – bebelos – accessible, lawful to be trodden; profane; unhallowed, common, public place; of men, ungodly

morsel of meat – brosis – act of eating; in a wider sense, corrosion; that which is eaten, food, ailment; of the soul’s food, either which refreshes the soul, or nourishes and supports it

sold – apodidomi – to deliver, to give away for one’s own profit what is one’s own, to sell; to pay off, discharge what is due

birthright – prototokia – the right or advantages of the first born son

Even though Jacob and Esau were twins, Esau was the “first born”.  He had rights, blessings, and privileges that were due him.  Yet he didn’t seem to find them all that important.

(Gen 25:27-34 NLT)  As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open fields, while Jacob was the kind of person who liked to stay at home. {28} Isaac loved Esau in particular because of the wild game he brought home, but Rebekah favored Jacob. {29} One day when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau arrived home exhausted and hungry from a hunt. {30} Esau said to Jacob, "I'm starved! Give me some of that red stew you've made." (This was how Esau got his other name, Edom--" Red.") {31} Jacob replied, "All right, but trade me your birthright for it." {32} "Look, I'm dying of starvation!" said Esau. "What good is my birthright to me now?" {33} So Jacob insisted, "Well then, swear to me right now that it is mine." So Esau swore an oath, thereby selling all his rights as the firstborn to his younger brother. {34} Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate and drank and went on about his business, indifferent to the fact that he had given up his birthright.

Lesson

Trading the “now” for the “later”

Esau was willing to trade his future, his destiny for what he could get “right now”.

He is a picture of the “fornicator” who is willing to trade away his eternal life for a quick thrill.

:17 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.

he would – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend; to be resolved or determined, to purpose; to desire, to wish; to love; to like to do a thing, be fond of doing; to take delight in, have pleasure

inherited – kleronomeo – to receive a lot, receive by lot; esp. to receive a part of an inheritance, receive as an inheritance, obtain by right of inheritance; to be an heir, to inherit

he was rejected – apodokimazo – to disapprove, reject, repudiate

repentance – metanoia – a change of mind, as it appears to one who repents, of a purpose he has formed or of something he has done

tears – dakru – a tear

sought it carefully – ekzeteo – to seek out, search for; to seek out, i.e. investigate, scrutinise; to seek out for one’s self, beg, crave; to demand back, require

(Gen 27:30-41 NLT)  As soon as Isaac had blessed Jacob, and almost before Jacob had left his father, Esau returned from his hunting trip. {31} Esau prepared his father's favorite meat dish and brought it to him. Then he said, "I'm back, Father, and I have the wild game. Sit up and eat it so you can give me your blessing." {32} But Isaac asked him, "Who are you?" "Why, it's me, of course!" he replied. "It's Esau, your older son." {33} Isaac began to tremble uncontrollably and said, "Then who was it that just served me wild game? I have already eaten it, and I blessed him with an irrevocable blessing before you came." {34} When Esau understood, he let out a loud and bitter cry. "O my father, bless me, too!" he begged. {35} But Isaac said, "Your brother was here, and he tricked me. He has carried away your blessing." {36} Esau said bitterly, "No wonder his name is Jacob, for he has deceived me twice, first taking my birthright and now stealing my blessing. Oh, haven't you saved even one blessing for me?" {37} Isaac said to Esau, "I have made Jacob your master and have declared that all his brothers will be his servants. I have guaranteed him an abundance of grain and wine--what is there left to give?" {38} Esau pleaded, "Not one blessing left for me? O my father, bless me, too!" Then Esau broke down and wept. {39} His father, Isaac, said to him, "You will live off the land and what it yields, {40} and you will live by your sword. You will serve your brother for a time, but then you will shake loose from him and be free." {41} Esau hated Jacob because he had stolen his blessing, and he said to himself, "My father will soon be dead and gone. Then I will kill Jacob."

I wonder if Esau had a “root of bitterness”.  He was upset and shed a lot of tears, but the truth is, he doesn’t seem to have gotten a grasp of being a person who was willing to trade his birthright for a bowl of soup.

God isn’t looking for “tears”.  He’s looking for “change”.  Esau got as far as having “tears”, but he stopped short of making the change he needed to.

Esau was “seeking” with “tears”, but he never got to the place where he was willing to change.

Illustration

 “The Change” (from the album “Speechless” by Steven Curtis Chapman)

Well I got myself a T-shirt that says what I believe

I got letters on my bracelet to serve as my ID

I got the necklace and the key chain

And almost everything a good Christian needs, yeah

I got the little Bible magnets on my refrigerator door

And a welcome mat to bless you before you walk across my floor

I got a Jesus bumper sticker

And the outline of a fish stuck on my car

And even though this stuff’s all well and good, yeah

I cannot help but ask myself

What about the change

What about the difference

What about the grace

What about forgiveness

What about a life that’s showing

I’m undergoing the change, yeah

I’m undergoing the change

Well I’ve got this way of thinking that comes so naturally

Where I believe the whole world is revolving around me

And I got this way of living that I have to die to every single day

‘Cause if God’s Spirit lives inside of me, year

I’m gonna live life differently

I’m gonna have the change

I’m gonna have the difference

I’m gonna have the grace

I’m gonna have forgiveness

I’m gonna live the life that’s showing

I’m undergoing the change

What about the change

What about the difference

What about the grace

What about forgiveness

I want to live a life that’s showing

I’m undergoing the change

written by Steven Curtis Chapman and James Isaac Elliot / c.  1999 Sparrow Song / Peach Hill Songs / BMI / Cabinet Maker Music

:18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

might be touched – pselaphao – to handle, touch and feel

blackness – gnophos – darkness, gloom

darkness – skotos – darkness; of night darkness

tempest – thuella – a sudden storm, tempest, whirlwind

:19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

entreated – paraiteomai – to ask along side, beg to have near one; to beg from, to ask for, supplicate

:20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

endure – phero – to carry; to bear, i.e. endure, to endure the rigour of a thing, to bear patiently one’s conduct, or spare one (abstain from punishing or destroying)

dart – bolis – a missile, dart, javelin

thrust through – katatoxeuo – to shoot down or thrust through with an arrow

:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

terrible – phoberos – inspiring fear, terrible, formidable; affected with fear, timid

the sight – phantazo – to cause to appear, make visible, expose to view, show; the appearance, sight

exceedingly fear – ekphobos – stricken with fear or terror, exceedingly, frightened, terrified

quake – entromos – trembling, terrified

This is talking about Moses, Israel, and meeting God on Mount Sinai, where the Ten Commandments were given.

(Exo 20:18-21 NLT)  When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the horn, and when they saw the lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear. {19} And they said to Moses, "You tell us what God says, and we will listen. But don't let God speak directly to us. If he does, we will die!" {20} "Don't be afraid," Moses said, "for God has come in this way to show you his awesome power. From now on, let your fear of him keep you from sinning!" {21} As the people stood in the distance, Moses entered into the deep darkness where God was.

:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

innumerable – murias (“myriad”) – ten thousand; an innumerable multitude, an unlimited number; innumerable hosts

:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

general assembly – paneguris – a festal gathering of the whole people to celebrate public games or other solemnities; a public festal assembly

church – ekklesia – a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly; an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting; the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth; the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven

:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

mediator – mesites – one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenant; a medium of communication, arbitrator

Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant.  Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant.

sprinkling – rhantismos – a sprinkling (purification); blood of sprinkling; i.e. appointed for sprinkling (serving to purify)

Abel’s sacrifice was better than Cain’s.  Jesus’ sacrifice is better than Abel’s.

:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

refuse – paraiteomai – to ask along side, beg to have near one; to avert by entreaty or seek to avert, to deprecate; to refuse, decline; to shun, avoid

that spake – chrematizo – to transact business, esp. to manage public affairs; to give a response to those consulting an oracle, to give a divine command or admonition, to teach from heaven; to be divinely commanded, admonished, instructed; to be the mouthpiece of divine revelations, to promulgate the commands of God

This word has been used twice in Hebrews, of Moses and of Noah:

Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, [that] thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

If the people that were warned through Moses and Noah didn’t escape punishment, how much more those of us who have been warned by Jesus.

turn away – apostrepho – to turn away; to remove anything from anyone; to turn him away from allegiance to any one; tempt to defect

Again, the challenge is to the Jewish believers not to turn their backs on Jesus.

:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

shook – saleuo – a motion produced by winds, storms, waves, etc; to agitate or shake; to cause to totter; to shake thoroughly, of a measure filled by shaking its contents together; to shake down, overthrow

God’s voice shook the earth in Moses’ day.  He will shake the earth again.

(Hag 2:6 KJV)  For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;

:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

signifieth – deloo – to make manifest; to make known by relating, to declare; to give one to understand, to indicate, signify

(Heb 12:27 NIV)  The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

cannot be moved – asaleutos – unshaken, unmoved; metaph. not liable to overthrow and disorder, firm stable.  This is the opposite of the word for “shaken” in verse 26,27.

God’s kingdom won’t be shaken by the things coming soon.

grace – charis – grace; that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech; good will, loving-kindness, favour; thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward

(Heb 12:28 NIV)  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

serve – latreuo – to serve for hire; to serve, minister to, either to the gods or men and used alike of slaves and freemen; in the NT, to render religious service or homage, to worship; to perform sacred services, to offer gifts, to worship God in the observance of the rites instituted for his worship; of priests, to officiate, to discharge the sacred office

acceptably – euarestos – in a manner well pleasing to one, acceptable

reverence – aidos – a sense of shame or honour, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect

godly fear – eulabeia – caution, circumspection, discretion; avoidance; a reasonable shunning; reverence, veneration; reverence toward God, godly fear, piety; fear anxiety, dread

:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

consuming – katanalisko – to consume; of fire

Hebrews 13

:1  Let brotherly love continue.

brotherly love – philadelphia – love of brothers or sisters, brotherly love; in the NT the love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren

continue – meno – to remain, abide

:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

entertain strangers – philoxenia – love to strangers, hospitality

Just as we are to have “love of the brethren” (13:1), we are to have “love of strangers” as well.

unawares – lanthano – to be hidden, to be hidden from one, secretly, unawares, without knowing

have entertained – xenizo – to receive as a guest, to entertain, hospitably

There are several possibilities.

Abraham

Genesis 18:1-AV And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

Lot

Genesis 19:1-AV And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing [them] rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

Samson's mom

Judges 13:6-AV Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance [was] like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he [was], neither told he me his name:

Could it be possible that we are faced with opportunities to help people, when they are really angels in disguise?

What Jesus said...

Matthew 25:35-AV For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Matthew 25:40-AV And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.

:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

bonds – desmios – bound, in bonds, a captive, a prisoner

bound with – sundeo – to tie together, to bind together; to bind or fasten on all sides; to bind just as (i.e. jointly with) another

When you think of people in prison, think of what it would be like for yourself.

suffer adversity – kakoucheo (“evil” + “to have”) – to treat ill, oppress, plague

Lesson

Think of what others are going through.

:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

honourable – timios – as of great price, precious; held in honour, esteemed, especially dear

marriage – gamos – a wedding or marriage festival, a wedding banquet, a wedding feast; marriage, matrimony

the bed – koite – a place for laying down, resting, sleeping in; the marriage bed; sexual intercourse

undefiled – amiantos – not defiled, unsoiled; free from that by which the nature of a thing is deformed and debased, or its force and vigour impaired

whoremongers – pornos – a man who prostitutes his body to another’s lust for hire; a male prostitute; a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator

adulterer – moichos – an adulterer

Lesson

Marriage is great

Very clearly, God does not approve of sexual relations outside the context of marriage.  He condemns it.

God created sex, but He created it to be enjoyed within a certain framework, the framework of marriage.  Sex ought to be only for a man and a woman who have made a lifelong commitment to each other and to no other.

When you are single, this means that you need to get your mind thinking, “sex, bad, sex, bad”.

But when you become married, you have to change that tape because sex within the confines of marriage is good.  It is honorable.  It is undefiled.

:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

without covetousness – aphilarguros (“not” + “loving” + “money”) – not loving money, not avaricious

conversation – tropos – a manner, way, fashion; as, even as, like as; manner of life, character, deportment

be content – arkeo – to be possessed of unfailing strength; to be strong, to suffice, to be enough; to defend, ward off; to be satisfied, to be contented

such things as ye have – pareimi – to be by, be at hand, to have arrived, to be present

(Josh 1:5 KJV)  There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Lesson

God’s presence brings contentment

We often think of this verse as assurance of our salvation, or perhaps comfort in loneliness.

But the context is about being content with what you have and not allowing yourself to be greedy for more.

God is enough.

:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

boldly – tharrheo – to be of good courage, be of good cheer; to be bold

(Psa 27:1 KJV)  A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

(Psa 118:6 KJV)  The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

them which have the rule – hegeomai – to lead; to go before; to be a leader; to rule, command; to have authority over; a prince, of regal power, governor, viceroy, chief, leading as respects influence, controlling in counsel, overseers or leaders of the churches; used of any kind of leader, chief, commander

considering – anathaoreo – to look at attentively, to consider well, to observe accurately

the end – ekbasis – an egress, way out, exit; applied figuratively to the way of escape from temptation; the issue referring to the end of one’s life; Heb 13:7 refers not only to end of physical life, but the manner in which they closed a well spent life as exhibited by their spirit in dying

conversation – anastrophe – manner of life, conduct, behaviour, deportment

follow – mimeomai – to imitate: any one

(Heb 13:7 NIV)  Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

yesterday – chthes – yesterday

Jesus Christ yesterday and today is the same and unto forever

Two Doctrines Here

1.  The Immutability of Jesus.

The fact that He doesn't change.

He didn't start out as a man who progressed to godhood.

He didn't start as God, became only a man, then worked His way back to godhood.

He was God, is God, and always will be God.

2.  The Faithfulness of God.

Because He never changes, you can always depend upon Him.

When you look at stories of the tenderness of Jesus with the sinners, you realize He is that way with you, because He never changes.

When He says He will never leave you nor forsake you, He doesn't change His mind after a few years of tolerating you.

:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

be established – bebaioo – to make firm, establish, confirm, make sure

meats – broma – that which is eaten, food

profited – opheleo – to assist, to be useful or advantageous, to profit

have been occupied – peripateo – to walk; to make one’s way, progress; to make due use of opportunities; to regulate one’s life; to conduct one’s self; to pass one’s life

Lesson

It’s who you trust, not what you eat.

:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

right – exousia – power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases; the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege)

serve – latreuo – to serve for hire; to serve, minister to, either to the gods or men and used alike of slaves and freemen; in the NT, to render religious service or homage, to worship; to perform sacred services, to offer gifts, to worship God in the observance of the rites instituted for his worship; of priests, to officiate, to discharge the sacred office

We have a spiritual altar.

:11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

There’s some heavy Hebrew pictures being used here, specifically that of the “sin offering”

There were different types of sacrifices for different purposes.

The Burnt Offering was for consecration, giving yourself to God.

The Peace Offering was for communion, fellowship with God.

The Sin Offering was to pay for your sin.

Sin offerings were handled in different ways, depending on the situation.

If the offering was for the high priest, or for the whole congregation, (Lev.4:1-21)

A bull was killed, the blood was taken into the Holy Place and sprinkled on the golden altar of incense.  The fat, the two kidneys, and the lobe of the liver were all burned on the brass altar of burnt offering. The rest of the animal was taken outside of the camp and burned.

If the offering was for any other person, (Lev.4:22-35)

Then a goat or a lamb was killed. The blood was sprinkled outside on the brass altar of burnt offering. The fat was burned on the brass altar of burnt offering. The priest was allowed to eat the rest of the meat, kind of as a payment for services.

The rule about eating the meat was:

Leviticus 6:30-AV And no sin offering, whereof [any] of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation to reconcile [withal] in the holy [place], shall be eaten: it shall be burnt in the fire.

So, if the blood was sprinkled inside the holy place, then the animal was burnt outside the camp, otherwise, it could be eaten. 

And the blood was only sprinkled inside the holy place when the sin offering was for the high priest, or for the entire congregation.

Those who are relying upon Judaism, who “serve the tabernacle”, have no right to eat from our altar.

“We have an altar” refers to Jesus dying on the cross for our sins.

Since Jesus' blood was brought into the Holiest of Holies (heaven itself) to pay for the sins of all the world, no priest is going to be able to eat the sacrifice.

:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

Now we see the completion of the picture.

How come there was a difference in how the sin offerings were handled between those for a high priest of the entire congregation, and for those of individual people?

Because Jesus died for the sins of the entire world, not just for one person's sins.

without the gate –

Referring to Jesus dying at Calvary, outside the temple gate.

John 19:17-NIV Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).

:13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

When you do a search on the phrase "without the camp", you find out something else interesting:

Not only was the place "outside the camp" used for the burning of the sin offerings, but it was also the place of reproach.

It was where you would be sent if you were condemned to die for your crimes.

Leviticus 24:14-AV Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard [him] lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.

For those breaking the Sabbath -

Numbers 15:35-AV And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.

It was where you would be sent if you were unclean with leprosy, with an issue, or from touching a dead person.

Numbers 5:3-AV Both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell.

I think maybe the writer is talking about going out of the camp of Judaism, taking on the reproach of being a Christian and being ostracized from Judaism.

:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

continuing – meno – to remain, abide

On planet earth, we have no place that’s going to live forever.

We don't belong in Judaism

We don't belong in this world.

We are aliens, we have citizenship in another country

(Phil 3:20 NASB)  For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

It's okay when you feel uncomfortable around your worldly friends and relatives, it's supposed to be that way.

:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

praise – ainesis – praise, a thank offering

We no longer have to worry about sin offerings because our Great High Priest has taken care of that completely. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t have anything left to offer to God.

Characteristics of this sacrifice:

1.  It is a sacrifice

A sacrifice is something that costs you, otherwise it isn't a sacrifice.

2Samuel 24:24-AV And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy [it] of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

Sometimes praise isn't easy, sometimes it is a sacrifice, it costs you something.

God likes our praise

Psalms 69:30-31 AV I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.  31 [This] also shall please the LORD better than an ox [or] bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

God likes praise from you better than an animal sacrifice.

2.  It is to be done continually

The burnt offering was to be a continual sacrifice

Exodus 29:38-AV Now this [is that] which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.

When David brought the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, prior to the building of the temple, he instituted 24 hour worship:

1Chronicles 16:37-AV So he left there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Asaph and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required:

1Chronicles 16:40-AV To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and [to do] according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which he commanded Israel;

Our praise is to come continually - I think that's where we start to understand the sacrifice involved.

It's hard to praise when we feel like grumbling and complaining.

It's hard to praise when we don't understand why we're going through our current hard time.

3.  It is to be the fruit of our lips

The word “praise” actually denotes what is called a “thank offering”.

There is an interesting pattern in Scripture concerning a sacrifice of thanksgiving:

Leviticus 7:11-12 And this [is] the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the LORD.  12  If he offer it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mingled with oil, of fine flour, fried.

Though this sacrifice sounds like what we read about in Hebrews, this sacrifice involved animals (the peace offering) and the fruit of the ground (cakes, flour, etc.)

Our sacrifice isn't to be from what other things have grown, it's to come from what our lives have grown inside us, expressed on our lips.

Luke 6:45-AV A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

The kind of fruit that comes off of your lips says a lot about what's growing in your heart.

If our hearts are growing the right stuff, there will be praise and thanksgiving coming from our mouth.

4.  It involves giving thanks to Jesus.

This isn't happiness for the sake of happiness, it's happiness because of Jesus.

:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

to do good – eupoiia (“well” + “to do”) – adoring good, beneficence

to communicate – koinonia – fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, intercourse; the share which one has in anything, participation; intercourse, fellowship, intimacy

God is pleased when we do good things and when we share with others (or maybe the idea is fellowship in general).

:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

obey – peitho – be persuaded; to listen to, obey, yield to, comply with; to trust, have confidence, be confident

them that have the rule – hegeomai – to lead; to rule, command; to have authority over

It appears that the author is talking about those who are leaders in the church.  They are the leaders who would “watch for your souls”.

submit – hupeiko – to resist no longer, but to give way, yield (of combatants); metaph. to yield to authority and admonition, to submit

Chuck:  This verse has been carried to extremes, with a "shepherd" who oversees all a person’s activities. Actually, a teacher should teach us to submit to God, not to himself. If we know God’s Word and follow it, our teacher can give a good account of us.

they watch – agrupneo – to be sleepless, keep awake, watch; to be circumspect, attentive, ready

must give – apodidomi – to deliver, to give away for one’s own profit what is one’s own, to sell; to pay off, discharge what is due; to render account

A good leader is one who takes his position seriously, willing to loose a little sleep in caring for the flock.  A good leader is one who knows that he is going to have to give an account of himself before God.

A leader knows that he will have to give an account for what he does.  Each of us will give an account for our own life.

grief – stenazo – a sigh, to groan

Don’t give the leader a hard time.

unprofitable – alusiteles – unprofitable, hurtful, pernicious

When you don’t want to fit into the structure of the church, you are simply hurting yourself.

:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

:19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Pray for us.  Keep praying.  Keep on praying.

:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

make you perfect – katartizo – to render, i.e. to fit, sound, complete; to mend (what has been broken or rent), to repair; to complete; to fit out, equip, put in order, arrange, adjust; to fit or frame for one’s self, prepare; ethically: to strengthen, perfect, complete, make one what he ought to be

:22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.

suffer – anechomai – to hold up; to hold one’s self erect and firm; to sustain, to bear, to endure

:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.

This is about the only note that gives us any hint to who wrote this letter.  But it really doesn’t answer the question, only that the person was acquainted with Timothy.

:24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

:25 Grace be with you all. Amen.