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way with us. If instead of giving time to speculation concerning this word anti we were to read on a few verses we
should have our answer.
`Esau, who for (anti) one morsel of meat sold his birthright'. Here we have contrast. Esau exchanged the future
blessing for the present, whereas we are to follow the example of Moses who exchanged present immunity from
suffering for pleasures at the right hand of God which are for evermore.
Apart from the passage `crucify to themselves' in Hebrews 6:6, this is the only occurrence of the cross in
Hebrews. As in the parallel epistle, Philippians, the reference is to endurance in view of the crown or prize (Phil.
2:8; 3:18). In neither of these epistles is the cross mentioned in connection with redemption or atonement. The
usage is similar to the earlier references like those of Matthew 10:38 and 16:24. The saying, `No cross, no crown'
exactly fits its usage. The cross is prominent in the epistle to the Corinthians, for they were carnal. The cross is
prominent in the epistle to the Galatians, because they were being moved away from the faith. The only allusion to
the cross in Romans is in Romans 6:6 where the old man is dealt with. The argument of Hebrews 12 is, surely, that
just as He endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of God, so may the believer
endure his cross, despise its shame (not `glory in their shame' as Phil. 3:19), and in God's good time enter into that
better thing, by that better resurrection, to enjoy that better and enduring substance connected with the heavenly city,
Jerusalem.
We are bid to `consider' Him Who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest we be weary and
faint. Analogia from which `consider' is taken, is translated `proportion' (Rom. 12:6), and here implies the act of
weighing and balancing one thing with another. It would mean considering the pros and cons of gaining the whole
world and losing one's own soul. It would mean estimating aright the actions of Esau (Heb. 12:16) and Moses
(11:24-26), for just as loss now means the gaining of the soul in that day according to Matthew 16, so does it
according to Hebrews 10:39.
We are now brought face to face with another cause of stumbling, `the contradiction of sinners', producing
weariness. Earlier we had the entangling nature of `sin', now the `contradiction of sinners'. Antilogia is translated
`strife' in Hebrews 6:16; `contradiction' (7:7; 12:3) and `gainsaying' of Korah (Jude 11).
This last reference bears rather pointedly upon the teaching of Hebrews concerning the One Priest. The four
occurrences of antilego in Acts (13:45 and 28:19,22) give further light upon the special `contradiction' that the
Hebrews would be likely to meet. Each occurrence has to do with Jewish opposition to the ministry of Paul. The
occurrences are confined to the beginning and the end of his Acts ministry. The only other reference during the Acts
period speaks of Israel as `a disobedient and gainsaying people' (Rom. 10:21).
Perhaps it is hardly necessary to explain to our readers that `contradiction' is connected, too, with our own
blessed calling, contradiction from those, who, like gainsaying Israel, `have a zeal of God but not according to
knowledge', and who, totally misunderstanding our witness, speak of ultradispensationalism! Let us not be weary
and faint, even though undoubted men of God call us hard names, thinking they are serving God. This careful and
proportionate consideration of what Christ endured will enable us to take up our cross, for none of us can suffer
anything comparable with the sufferings of Christ.
`Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin'. When we see that the `striving' here includes the
word agon - race, we realize that the figure of the contest is still maintained.
Let us `consider Him', the great Prince-Leader and Perfecter of faith, and see how He embraces all the qualities
exhibited in Hebrews 11.
His offering `speaketh better things than that of ABEL'.
He was the beloved Son of God in Whom God was `well pleased (ENOCH).
He saves in a sense that was impossible to NOAH.
He was more intimate than even the `friend of God' could be (ABRAHAM).
He was `The only Begotten Son' offered by the Father (ISAAC).
He was One Who indeed blessed regarding things to come (JACOB).
He will be the great Ruler and Restorer (JOSEPH).