I N D E X
12
principles are PARALLEL. The tenth chapter of Hebrews ends with a warning concerning drawing back (Heb. 10:38,
39), and this is elaborated in chapter 12, the eleventh chapter with its record of "faith" forming a sort of parenthesis.
The warning of chapter 10 is introduced with the words:
"Knowing ... that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away (as Esau did, as we shall
see in chapter 12) therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of
patience ..." (Heb. 10:34-36).
The long list of those who overcame through faith in Hebrews 11 ultimately leads to the supreme example of Christ
Himself with which Hebrews 12 opens, and an exhibition of the structure is all that is necessary here to establish this
fact.
Hebrews 12:1-4
A 12:1.
Endurance
hupomone
Race set before
agon prokeima
Entangling sin
hamartia
B 12:2.
Looking away
A 12:2.
Endurance
hupomeno
Joy set before
prokeima
B 12:2,3.  Consider Him
A 12:3,4.  Endurance
hupomeno
Striving against
antagonizo
Sinners
hamartolos
The emphasis is upon endurance, race and opposition, with the example of the Saviour as the "Captain and
Perfecter of faith" ever before the believer as he presses on. The word translated "race" is the same as that
translated "fight" in 2 Timothy 4:7 agon, which gives us the English word "agony" and re-appears in the words
"striving against" as we have indicated in the structure. It is evident that we are no longer dealing with the initial
faith which is unto salvation, but that overcoming aspect of faith which should grow out of the original deliverance
accomplished by grace.
The Church of The Firstborn
Hebrews 12:5-14 deals with an experience which is common to all the children of God, but at verse 15 the
apostle passes from "sons" to "firstborn" and Esau provides a warning concerning the treatment of the birthright,
and with this reference to Esau we return to the parallel warning of Hebrews 10:35 "Cast not away".
Hebrews 12:15-25
A 15.
Looking diligently lest
B 16,17.
Birthright bartered
Prototokia
C 18-21.
Ye are not come
Sinai
C 22,23-.  Ye are come
Zion
B -23,24.  Birthright enjoyed
Prototokos
A 25.
See ... Lest.
Esau, for one morsel of meat sold his birthright (Heb. 12:16). See, said the apostle, that you do not cast away
your confidence which hath great recompense of reward, that better and enduring substance which is in heaven
awaiting you (Heb. 10:34,35). Immediately following the exhortation of Hebrews 6 to go on unto perfection, the
apostle speaks of those who having tasted of the heavenly gift, and falling away, declares that it is impossible to
renew them again "unto repentance". This too finds an echo and an explanation in chapter 12, for, of Esau who sold
his birthright for a mess of pottage it is written: