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this word on the passage of Heb. 12: that is before us, let us attempt a true apprisement
of its meaning.
Elengchos occurs but twice in the N.T., Heb. 11: 1 and II Tim. 3: 16. The A.V.
translates it once `evidence' and once `reproof'. When we turn to the verb elengcho we
have a wider field for investigation. The following are the renderings in the A.V.,
convict, convince, rebuke, reprove, tell one's fault. In no one place is it ever translated
`prove' or `demonstrate' or by any such word that is parallel to `evidence'. We find the
word in Heb. 12: 5 where it is translated `to be rebuked'. Now structurally this passage
balances Heb. 11: 1 thus:
A |
Heb. 11: 1. Faith. Substance and elengchos.
B
| 11: 2-40. The cloud of witnesses.
B
| 12: 1, 2. The cloud of witnesses.
A |
12: 3, 5. Faith. The elengchos.
Now if the last passage is rightly rendered `rebuke', how can the only other
occurrence of the word in Hebrews, bound as it is by all the ties of structure and
consistent argument, be rightly translated `evidence'? The reader may by this time be
ready to consult the LXX, and the first passage we note will be Hab. ii.1, "I will stand
upon my watch . . . . . what I shall answer upon my reproof", which is in the immediate
context of the quotation, "the just shall live by faith". Instead of `proof' we find
`reproof'. Let us search this matter further. Now elengchos occurs some 21 times, and
elengcho some 53 times in the 70: It is manifestly impossible with our limited space to
provide a concordance of the occurrences here. We will give a few, but would here
assure the reader that every one of these 74 occurrences has been investigated, and that
all point in one direction, namely, that elengchos does not mean `evidence', but `rebuke'.
Let us see a few examples:
"And Abraham REPROVED Abimelech because of a well of water" (Gen. 21: 25).
"Thou shalt in any wise RBUKE thy neighbour" (Lev. 19: 17).
"The Lord had REBUKED him" (II Chron. 26: 20).
"Behold, happy is the man whom God CORRECTETH" (Job 5: 17).
"My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of His
CORRECTION; for whom the Lord loveth He CORRECTETH" (Prov. 3: 11, 12).
The Apostle has quoted this passage of Prov. 3: 11, 12 in Heb. 12: 5, 6 and there,
instead of giving the word `correction' twice as does the LXX, he uses the word
`chasteneth'. For confirmation of this synonym we may turn to Rev. 3: 19, "As many
as I love, I rebuke and chasten". Those desirous of searching out this matter more fully
will doubtless find opportunity. Sufficient has been here noted to show that the primary
idea of Heb. 11: 1 is "Faith is a substance of things hoped for, a reproof of things not
seen". This, however, does not convey sense to English ears, so we must consider the
matter further. As the verse stands in the A.V. we have a repetition. Faith is a substance
and an evidence. When we look at the actual thing in progress, and in fact we find that
faith has a twofold association: (1) It looks forward to future glory; (2) It endures
present suffering.