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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 Matt. 16:, so does it according to Heb. 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 Heb. 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 (see the structure above), 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 Heb. 11:
His offering "speaketh better things than that of ABEL".
He was the beloved Son of Go d 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).
He is the Prophet greater than MOSES.
He embraces all the heroic acts of GIDEON, DAVID and others.
He endured as none else endure, refusing deliverance, refusing to save Himself,
and finally attained unto that better resurrection to glory, where He waits the
day of His return.
He is indeed the altogether lovely One, the chiefest among ten thousand. Here, as in
Col. 3:, "Christ is ALL".