sin
Sin.
sinned Sin, Summary: The literal meanings of the Heb. and (Greek - ἀλεκτοροφωνία sin," "sinner," etc)., disclose the true nature of sin in its manifold manifestations. Sin is transgression, an overstepping of the law, the divine boundary between good and evil Psalms 51:1 ; Luke 15:29 , iniquity, an act inherently wrong, whether expressly forbidden or not; error, a departure from right; Psalms 51:9 ; Romans 3:23 , missing the mark, a failure to meet the divine standard; trespass, the intrusion of self-will into the sphere of divine authority Ephesians 2:1 , lawlessness, or spiritual anarchy 1 Timothy 1:9 , unbelief, or an insult to the divine veracity John 16:9 .
Sin originated with Satan Isaiah 14:12-14 , entered the world through Adam Romans 5:12 , was, and is, universal, Christ alone excepted; Romans 3:23 ; 1 Peter 2:22 , incurs the penalties of spiritual and physical death; Genesis 2:17 ; Genesis 3:19 ; Ezekiel 18:4 ; Ezekiel 18:20 ; Romans 6:23 and has no remedy but in the sacrificial death of Christ; Hebrews 9:26 ; Acts 4:12 availed of by faith Acts 13:38 ; Acts 13:39 . Sin may be summarized as threefold: An act, the violation of, or want of obedience to the revealed will of God; a state, absence of righteousness; a nature, enmity toward God.
Verse Meaning
The readers had not yet resisted sin to the extent that their enemies were torturing or killing them for their faith, as had been Jesus" experience. Evidently there had been no martyrs among the readers yet, though the writer and the readers undoubtedly knew of Christians elsewhere who had died for their faith (e.g, Stephen, James , et al.). Their striving against sin probably refers to both resisting sinful opponents and resisting temptations to sin in their own lives ( Hebrews 12:1). [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Hebrews 12:1-8 - Persistently Press Forward
In one of Raphael's pictures the clouds, when looked at minutely, are seen to be composed of little cherub-faces; and those who have already witnessed and suffered for God gather around us as a great cloud, like the crowded amphitheaters in the old Olympian games. We are still in the arena; probably every blow and sigh are beheld and heard by the general assembly and church of the firstborn. What an incentive to lay aside all "cumbrances"; that is, whatever in your life may be a hindrance, though hardly a sin! But above all, we must put away the sin of unbelief, which we can best do by looking unto Jesus.
The word our should certainly be eliminated in Hebrews 12:2. Jesus began and finished His life-career by the same faith-"the faith of the Son of God"-which each of His children has to exercise. The light beyond the Cross beckoned to Him and so enamored Him that he counted no cost too dear, if only He might realize the possibilities that gleamed before His vision, of an elect church and a transformed world. [source]
Chapter Summary: Hebrews 12
1An exhortation to constant faith, patience, and godliness by Christ's example 22A commendation of the new covenant
Greek Commentary for Hebrews 12:4
Resisted [αντικατεστητε] Second aorist active indicative (intransitive) of the double compound αντικατιστημι antikathistēmi old verb to stand in opposition against in line of battle, intransitively to stand face to face “Up to blood.” As was true of Jesus and many of the other heroes of faith in chapter Heb 11. Striving Present middle participle of ανταγωνιζομαι antagōnizomai old verb with the same figure in αντικατεστητε antikatestēte Against sin Face to face with sin as in Hebrews 12:1. [source]
Unto blood [μέχρις αἵματος] Your strife against sin has not entailed the shedding of your blood, as did that of many of the O.T. worthies, and of Jesus himself. See Hebrews 11:35,Hebrews 11:37. Of Jesus it is said, Philemon 2:8, “he became obedient to the extent of death ( μέχρι θανάτου ). Comp. 2 Maccabees 13:14. [source]
Striving against sin [πρὸς τὴν ἁμαρτίαν ἀνταγωνιζόμενοι] The verb N.T.olxx, 4Macc. 17:14. Sin is personified. [source]
Hebrews 3:13So long as it is called today [αχρις ου το σημερον καλειται] The only instance in the N.T. of this conjunction Lest any one of you be hardened Negative purpose clause with ινα μη hina mē (that not) and the first aorist passive subjunctive of σκληρυνω sklērunō the vivid verb from Hebrews 3:8. By the deceitfulness of sin Instrumental case απατηι apatēi (trick, fraud) as is always the case with sin (Romans 7:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:10). Apostasy (Hebrews 12:4) is their peril and it is a trick of sin. [source]
1 John 3:2It is not yet made manifest [ουπω επανερωτη] First aorist passive indicative of πανεροω phaneroō For the aorist indicative with ουπω oupō with a future outlook Brooke notes Mark 11:2; 1 Corinthians 8:2; Hebrews 12:4; Revelation 17:10,Revelation 17:12.What we shall be (τι εσομετα ti esometha). Not τινες tines (who), but τι ti (what) neuter singular predicate nominative. “This what suggests something unspeakable, contained in the likeness of God” (Bengel).If he shall be manifested As in 1 John 2:28, which see. The subject may be Christ as in 1 John 3:9, or the future manifestation just mentioned. Either makes sense, probably “it” here better than “he.”Like him (ομοιοι αυτωι homoioi autōi). Αυτωι Autōi is associative instrumental case after ομοιοι homoioi This is our destiny and glory (Romans 8:29), to be like Jesus who is like God (2 Corinthians 4:6).We shall see him even as he is Future middle indicative of οραω horaō The transforming power of this vision of Christ (1 Corinthians 13:12) is the consummation of the glorious process begun at the new birth (2 Corinthians 3:18). [source]
Revelation 2:10Some of you [εχ υμων] Without τινας tinas (some) before εχ υμων ex humōn a common idiom as in Revelation 3:9; Revelation 11:19; Luke 11:49.That ye may be tried (ινα πειραστητε hina peirasthēte). Purpose clause with ινα hina and the first aorist passive subjunctive of πειραζω peirazō John himself is in exile. Peter and John had often been in prison together. James the brother of John, Paul, and Peter had all suffered martyrdom. In Revelation 3:10 a general persecution is outlined by πειρασμος peirasmos shall have (εχετε hexete). Future active, but some MSS. read εχητε echēte (present active subjunctive with hina, “that ye may have”).Tribulation ten days “Tribulation of ten days” (or “within ten days”). It is unwise to seek a literal meaning for ten days. Even ten days of suffering might seem an eternity while they lasted.Be thou faithful (γινου πιστος ginou pistos). “Keep on becoming faithful” (present middle imperative of γινομαι ginomai), “keep on proving faithful unto death” (Hebrews 12:4) as the martyrs have done (Jesus most of all).The crown of life See this very image in James 1:12, a familiar metaphor in the games at Smyrna and elsewhere in which the prize was a garland. See also Revelation 3:11. The crown consists in life (Revelation 2:7). See Paul‘s use of στεπανος stephanos in 1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 4:8. [source]
Revelation 2:10Tribulation ten days [τλιπσιν ημερων δεκα] “Tribulation of ten days” (or “within ten days”). It is unwise to seek a literal meaning for ten days. Even ten days of suffering might seem an eternity while they lasted.Be thou faithful (γινου πιστος ginou pistos). “Keep on becoming faithful” (present middle imperative of γινομαι ginomai), “keep on proving faithful unto death” (Hebrews 12:4) as the martyrs have done (Jesus most of all).The crown of life See this very image in James 1:12, a familiar metaphor in the games at Smyrna and elsewhere in which the prize was a garland. See also Revelation 3:11. The crown consists in life (Revelation 2:7). See Paul‘s use of στεπανος stephanos in 1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 4:8. [source]
Revelation 2:10Be thou faithful [γινου πιστος] “Keep on becoming faithful” (present middle imperative of γινομαι ginomai), “keep on proving faithful unto death” (Hebrews 12:4) as the martyrs have done (Jesus most of all). [source]
What do the individual words in Hebrews 12:4 mean?
Not yetuntobloodhave you resistedagainst-sinstruggling
Greek Commentary for Hebrews 12:4
Second aorist active indicative (intransitive) of the double compound αντικατιστημι antikathistēmi old verb to stand in opposition against in line of battle, intransitively to stand face to face “Up to blood.” As was true of Jesus and many of the other heroes of faith in chapter Heb 11. Striving Present middle participle of ανταγωνιζομαι antagōnizomai old verb with the same figure in αντικατεστητε antikatestēte Against sin Face to face with sin as in Hebrews 12:1. [source]
Your strife against sin has not entailed the shedding of your blood, as did that of many of the O.T. worthies, and of Jesus himself. See Hebrews 11:35, Hebrews 11:37. Of Jesus it is said, Philemon 2:8, “he became obedient to the extent of death ( μέχρι θανάτου ). Comp. 2 Maccabees 13:14. [source]
The verb N.T.olxx, 4Macc. 17:14. Sin is personified. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Hebrews 12:4
Comp. Philemon 2:8, μέχρι θανάτου untodeath: Hebrews 12:4, μέχρις αἵματος untoblood. Const. with I suffer trouble. [source]
Better, instructing or training. The saving economy of God is educative. Comp. Hebrews 12:4-11, and see on 1 Timothy 1:20. [source]
The only instance in the N.T. of this conjunction Lest any one of you be hardened Negative purpose clause with ινα μη hina mē (that not) and the first aorist passive subjunctive of σκληρυνω sklērunō the vivid verb from Hebrews 3:8. By the deceitfulness of sin Instrumental case απατηι apatēi (trick, fraud) as is always the case with sin (Romans 7:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:10). Apostasy (Hebrews 12:4) is their peril and it is a trick of sin. [source]
First aorist passive indicative of πανεροω phaneroō For the aorist indicative with ουπω oupō with a future outlook Brooke notes Mark 11:2; 1 Corinthians 8:2; Hebrews 12:4; Revelation 17:10, Revelation 17:12.What we shall be (τι εσομετα ti esometha). Not τινες tines (who), but τι ti (what) neuter singular predicate nominative. “This what suggests something unspeakable, contained in the likeness of God” (Bengel).If he shall be manifested As in 1 John 2:28, which see. The subject may be Christ as in 1 John 3:9, or the future manifestation just mentioned. Either makes sense, probably “it” here better than “he.”Like him (ομοιοι αυτωι homoioi autōi). Αυτωι Autōi is associative instrumental case after ομοιοι homoioi This is our destiny and glory (Romans 8:29), to be like Jesus who is like God (2 Corinthians 4:6).We shall see him even as he is Future middle indicative of οραω horaō The transforming power of this vision of Christ (1 Corinthians 13:12) is the consummation of the glorious process begun at the new birth (2 Corinthians 3:18). [source]
Without τινας tinas (some) before εχ υμων ex humōn a common idiom as in Revelation 3:9; Revelation 11:19; Luke 11:49.That ye may be tried (ινα πειραστητε hina peirasthēte). Purpose clause with ινα hina and the first aorist passive subjunctive of πειραζω peirazō John himself is in exile. Peter and John had often been in prison together. James the brother of John, Paul, and Peter had all suffered martyrdom. In Revelation 3:10 a general persecution is outlined by πειρασμος peirasmos shall have (εχετε hexete). Future active, but some MSS. read εχητε echēte (present active subjunctive with hina, “that ye may have”).Tribulation ten days “Tribulation of ten days” (or “within ten days”). It is unwise to seek a literal meaning for ten days. Even ten days of suffering might seem an eternity while they lasted.Be thou faithful (γινου πιστος ginou pistos). “Keep on becoming faithful” (present middle imperative of γινομαι ginomai), “keep on proving faithful unto death” (Hebrews 12:4) as the martyrs have done (Jesus most of all).The crown of life See this very image in James 1:12, a familiar metaphor in the games at Smyrna and elsewhere in which the prize was a garland. See also Revelation 3:11. The crown consists in life (Revelation 2:7). See Paul‘s use of στεπανος stephanos in 1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 4:8. [source]
“Tribulation of ten days” (or “within ten days”). It is unwise to seek a literal meaning for ten days. Even ten days of suffering might seem an eternity while they lasted.Be thou faithful (γινου πιστος ginou pistos). “Keep on becoming faithful” (present middle imperative of γινομαι ginomai), “keep on proving faithful unto death” (Hebrews 12:4) as the martyrs have done (Jesus most of all).The crown of life See this very image in James 1:12, a familiar metaphor in the games at Smyrna and elsewhere in which the prize was a garland. See also Revelation 3:11. The crown consists in life (Revelation 2:7). See Paul‘s use of στεπανος stephanos in 1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 4:8. [source]
“Keep on becoming faithful” (present middle imperative of γινομαι ginomai), “keep on proving faithful unto death” (Hebrews 12:4) as the martyrs have done (Jesus most of all). [source]