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Text -- Hebrews 12:15 (NET)

Strongs On/Off
Context
12:15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no one be like a bitter root springing up and causing trouble, and through him many become defiled.
Parallel   Cross Reference (TSK)   ITL  

Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics

Dictionary Themes and Topics: Watchfulness | UNCLEANNESS | Sin | Reprobacy | ROOT | Perseverance | Influence | Holiness | HEBREWS, EPISTLE TO THE | GRACE | FAIL | Diligence | DEFILE; DEFILEMENT | Commandments | Bitter | Backsliders | more
Table of Contents

Word/Phrase Notes
Robertson , Vincent , Wesley , JFB , Clarke , Calvin , TSK

Word/Phrase Notes
Barnes , Poole , Haydock , Gill

Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes , Geneva Bible

Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis , Combined Bible , MHCC , Matthew Henry , Barclay , Constable , College

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)

Robertson: Heb 12:15 - -- Looking carefully ( episkopountes ). Present active participle of episkopeō , to have oversight, in N.T. only here and 1Pe 5:2. Cf. episcopos (bi...

Looking carefully ( episkopountes ).

Present active participle of episkopeō , to have oversight, in N.T. only here and 1Pe 5:2. Cf. episcopos (bishop).

Robertson: Heb 12:15 - -- Lest there be any man ( mē tis ). Negative purpose clause with ei (present active subjunctive) omitted.

Lest there be any man ( mē tis ).

Negative purpose clause with ei (present active subjunctive) omitted.

Robertson: Heb 12:15 - -- Falleth short of ( husterōn apo ). Present active participle of hustereō (see Heb 4:1) agreeing with tis . Followed here by apo and the ablat...

Falleth short of ( husterōn apo ).

Present active participle of hustereō (see Heb 4:1) agreeing with tis . Followed here by apo and the ablative.

Robertson: Heb 12:15 - -- Root of bitterness. ( riza pikrias ). Quoted from Deu 29:18. Vivid picture.

Root of bitterness. ( riza pikrias ).

Quoted from Deu 29:18. Vivid picture.

Robertson: Heb 12:15 - -- Springing up ( anō phuousa ). Present active participle of phuō , to sprout. Pictured here as a quick process. Also from Deu 29:18.

Springing up ( anō phuousa ).

Present active participle of phuō , to sprout. Pictured here as a quick process. Also from Deu 29:18.

Robertson: Heb 12:15 - -- Trouble ( enochlēi ). Present active subjunctive (in final clause with mē tis ) of enochleō , old verb to trouble with a crowd, to annoy. In N...

Trouble ( enochlēi ).

Present active subjunctive (in final clause with mē tis ) of enochleō , old verb to trouble with a crowd, to annoy. In N.T. only here and Luk 6:18.

Robertson: Heb 12:15 - -- Be defiled ( mianthōsin ). First aorist passive subjunctive (in final clause with mē ) of mianō , old verb to dye, to stain, to defile as in T...

Be defiled ( mianthōsin ).

First aorist passive subjunctive (in final clause with mē ) of mianō , old verb to dye, to stain, to defile as in Tit 1:15 (the conscience). The contagion of sin is terrible as any disease.

Vincent: Heb 12:15 - -- Looking diligently ( ἐπισκοποῦντες ) A.V. gives diligently as the force of ἐπὶ ; but ἐπὶ signifies direction ...

Looking diligently ( ἐπισκοποῦντες )

A.V. gives diligently as the force of ἐπὶ ; but ἐπὶ signifies direction rather than intensity . The idea is exercising oversight . Only here and 1Pe 5:2.

Vincent: Heb 12:15 - -- Fail of ( ὑστερῶν ἀπὸ ) Rend. " fall back from," implying a previous attainment. The present participle marks something in pro...

Fail of ( ὑστερῶν ἀπὸ )

Rend. " fall back from," implying a previous attainment. The present participle marks something in progress: " lest any one be falling back."

Vincent: Heb 12:15 - -- Root of bitterness ( ῥίζα πικρίας ) From lxx, Deu 29:18. A bad man in the church. Ῥίζα of a person , 1 Macc. 1:10.

Root of bitterness ( ῥίζα πικρίας )

From lxx, Deu 29:18. A bad man in the church. Ῥίζα of a person , 1 Macc. 1:10.

Vincent: Heb 12:15 - -- Springing up ( ἄνω φύουσα ) The participle pictures the springing up in progress; the root gradually revealing its pernicious char...

Springing up ( ἄνω φύουσα )

The participle pictures the springing up in progress; the root gradually revealing its pernicious character.

Vincent: Heb 12:15 - -- Trouble ( ἐνοχλῇ ) Only here and Luk 6:18, see note.

Trouble ( ἐνοχλῇ )

Only here and Luk 6:18, see note.

Vincent: Heb 12:15 - -- Many be defiled ( μιανθῶσιν οἱ πολλοί ) Rend. " the many" : the majority of the church. For the verb see on Joh 18:28.

Many be defiled ( μιανθῶσιν οἱ πολλοί )

Rend. " the many" : the majority of the church. For the verb see on Joh 18:28.

Wesley: Heb 12:15 - -- If he do not lift up the hands that hang down.

If he do not lift up the hands that hang down.

Wesley: Heb 12:15 - -- Of envy, anger, suspicion.

Of envy, anger, suspicion.

Wesley: Heb 12:15 - -- Destroy the sweet peace; lest any, not following after holiness, fall into fornication or profaneness. In general, any corruption, either in doctrine ...

Destroy the sweet peace; lest any, not following after holiness, fall into fornication or profaneness. In general, any corruption, either in doctrine or practice, is a root of bitterness, and may pollute many.

JFB: Heb 12:15 - -- Greek, "lest any (namely, through sloth in running) failing," or "falling short of the grace of God . . . trouble you." The image is taken from a comp...

Greek, "lest any (namely, through sloth in running) failing," or "falling short of the grace of God . . . trouble you." The image is taken from a company of travellers, one of whom lags behind, and so never reaches the end of the long and laborious journey [CHRYSOSTOM].

JFB: Heb 12:15 - -- Not merely a "bitter root," which might possibly bring forth sweet fruits; this, a root whose essence is "bitterness," never could. Paul here refers t...

Not merely a "bitter root," which might possibly bring forth sweet fruits; this, a root whose essence is "bitterness," never could. Paul here refers to Deu 29:18, "Lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood" (compare Act 8:23). Root of bitterness comprehends every person (compare Heb 12:16) and every principle of doctrine or practice so radically corrupt as to spread corruption all around. The only safety is in rooting out such a root of bitterness.

JFB: Heb 12:15 - -- Rather, "the many," that is, the whole congregation. So long as it is hidden under the earth it cannot be remedied, but when it "springs up," it must ...

Rather, "the many," that is, the whole congregation. So long as it is hidden under the earth it cannot be remedied, but when it "springs up," it must be dealt with boldly. Still remember the caution (Mat 13:26-30) as to rooting out persons. No such danger can arise in rooting out bad principles.

Clarke: Heb 12:15 - -- Looking diligently - Επισκοπουντες· Looking about, over, and upon; being constantly on your guard

Looking diligently - Επισκοπουντες· Looking about, over, and upon; being constantly on your guard

Clarke: Heb 12:15 - -- Lest any man fail of the grace of God - Μη τις ὑστερων απο της χαριτος του Θεου· Lest any person should come be...

Lest any man fail of the grace of God - Μη τις ὑστερων απο της χαριτος του Θεου· Lest any person should come behind, or fall off from, this grace or Gift of God; this state of salvation, viz. the Gospel system or Christianity; for this is most evidently the meaning of the apostle. It is not the falling from a work of grace in their own souls, but from the Gospel, to apostatize from which they had now many temptations; and to guard them against this, the whole epistle was written

Clarke: Heb 12:15 - -- Lest any root of bitterness springing up - A root of bitterness signifies a poisonous plant. The Hebrews call every species of poison a bitter, and ...

Lest any root of bitterness springing up - A root of bitterness signifies a poisonous plant. The Hebrews call every species of poison a bitter, and with considerable propriety, as most plants are poisonous in proportion to the quantum of the bitter principle they possess. The root of bitterness is here used metaphorically for a bad man, or a man holding unsound doctrines, and endeavoring to spread them in the Church

Clarke: Heb 12:15 - -- Trouble you - This alludes to the effects of poison taken into the body: the whole animal system is disturbed, sometimes violent retchings, great di...

Trouble you - This alludes to the effects of poison taken into the body: the whole animal system is disturbed, sometimes violent retchings, great disturbances through the whole alimentary canal, together with the most fatal changes in the whole sanguineous system, are the consequences of poison taken into the stomach. The blood itself (the principle, under God, of life) becomes putrescent; and probably to this the intelligent apostle alludes when he says, and thereby many be defiled, μιανθωσι, corrupted or contaminated

Bad example and false teaching have corrupted thousands, and are still making desolation in the world and in the Church.

Calvin: Heb 12:15 - -- 15.Looking diligently, or, taking care, or, attentively providing, etc. 256 By these words he intimates that it is easy to fall away from the gra...

15.Looking diligently, or, taking care, or, attentively providing, etc. 256 By these words he intimates that it is easy to fall away from the grace of God; for it is not without reason that attention is required, because as soon as Satan sees us secure or remiss, he instantly circumvents us. We have, in short, need of striving and vigilance, if we would persevere in the grace of God.

Moreover, under the word grace, he includes our whole vocation. If any one hence infers that the grace of God is not efficacious, except we of our own selves cooperate with it, the argument is frivolous. We know how great is the slothfulness of our flesh; it therefore wants continual incentives; but when the Lord stimulates us by warning and exhortation, he at the same time moves and stirs up our hearts, that his exhortations may not be in vain, or pass away without effect. Then from precepts and exhortations we are not to infer what man can do of himself, or what is the power of freewill; for doubtless the attention or diligence which the Apostle requires here is the gift of God.

===Lest any root, === etc. I doubt not but that he refers to a passage written by Moses in Deu 29:18; for after having promulgated the Law, Moses exhorted the people to beware, lest any root germinating should bear gall and wormwood among them. He afterwards explained what he meant, that is, lest any one, felicitating himself in sin, and like the drunken who are wont to excite thirst, stimulating sinful desires, should bring on a contempt of God through the alluring of hope of impunity. The same is what the Apostle speaks of now; for he foretells what will take place, that is, if we suffer such a root to grow, it will corrupt and defile many; he not only bids every one to irradiate such a pest from their hearts, but he also forbids them to allow it to grow among them. It cannot be indeed but that these roots will ever be found in the Church, for hypocrites and the ungodly are always mixed with the good; but when they spring up they ought to be cut down, lest by growing they should choke the good seed.

He mentions bitterness for what Moses calls gall and wormwood; but both meant to express a root that is poisonous and deadly. Since then it is so fatal an evil, with more earnest effort it behooves us to check it, lest it should rise and creep farther. 257

TSK: Heb 12:15 - -- Looking : Heb 2:1, Heb 2:2, Heb 3:12, Heb 4:1, Heb 4:11, Heb 6:11, Heb 10:23-35; Deu 4:9; Pro 4:23; 1Co 9:24-27; 1Co 10:12; 2Co 6:1, 2Co 13:5; 2Pe 1:1...

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Commentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)

Barnes: Heb 12:15 - -- Looking diligently - This phrase implies close attention. It is implied that there are reasons why we should take special care. Those reasons a...

Looking diligently - This phrase implies close attention. It is implied that there are reasons why we should take special care. Those reasons are found in the propensities of our hearts to evil; in the temptations of the world; in the allurements to apostasy presented by the great adversary of our souls.

Lest any man fail - As every man is in danger, it is his personal duty to see to it that his salvation be secure.

Fail of the grace of God - Margin, "fail from."The Greek is, "lest any one be wanting or lacking"- ὑστερῶν husterōn . There is no intimation in the words used here that they already had grace and might fall away - whatever might he true about that - but that there was danger that they might be found at last to be deficient in that religion which was necessary to save them. Whether this was to be by losing the religion which they now had, or by the fact that they never had any however near they may have come to it - the apostle does not here intimate, and this passage should not be used in the discussion of the question about failing from grace. It is a proper exhortation to be addressed to any man in the church or out of it, to inquire diligently whether there is not reason to apprehend that when he comes to appear before God he will be found to be wholly destitute of religion.

Lest any root of bitterness springing up - Any bitter root. There is doubtless an allusion here to Deu 29:18. "Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood."The allusion there is to those who were idolaters, and who instead of bearing the fruits of righteousness, and promoting the piety and happiness of the nation, would bear the fruits of idolatry, and spread abroad irreligion and sin. The allusion, in both cases, is to a bitter plant springing up among those that were cultivated for ornament or use, or to a tree bearing bitter and poisonous fruit, among those that produced good fruit. The reference of the apostle is to some person who should produce a similar effect in the church - to one who should inculcate false doctrines; or who should apostatize; or who should lead an unholy life, and thus be the means of corrupting and destroying others. They were to be at especial pains that no such person should start up from among themselves, or be tolerated by them.

Trouble you - By his doctrines and example.

And thereby many be defiled - Led away from the faith and corrupted. One wicked man, and especially one hypocrite in the church, may be the means of destroying many others.

Poole: Heb 12:15 - -- To further their pursuit of peace and holiness, he metaphorically proposeth a caution against what might stop them in it, which he properly specifie...

To further their pursuit of peace and holiness, he metaphorically proposeth a caution against what might stop them in it, which he properly specifieth and exemplifieth in Esau, Heb 12:15-17 .

Looking diligently: episkopountev notes a very strict and severe inspecting themselves; its primitive, skopein , signifieth such a looking to a thing, as those who, in shooting, aim at the mark; and the preposition adds intention to the action, signifying a most earnest care in Christians over themselves, in them over others, and in ministers over them all.

Lest any man fail of the grace of God lest any person among them should fail of grace offered in the gospel to it, and never have it, Tit 2:11,12 ; or apostatize from the profession of it, by seduction or persecution, Heb 4:1 10:38 2Co 6:1 : compare Gal 1:6 3:3 .

Lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you a metaphor borrowed from plants, to which roots are proper, and which was used by Moses before, Deu 29:18 : a root bearing a poisonful herb; intending by it such persons, whose nature, words, and works, are so bitter unto God, as gall and wormwood are to men; such as apostatized from God to idols. The apostle intending hereby the hindering the springing up and growing of errors, heresies, or immoralities, as profaneness, filthiness, &c., which are apt to infect churches, and, as they spread, to molest, trouble, and disturb them, and to keep them from pursuing holiness, Heb 3:8 Hos 12:14 Gal 1:7 Jam 3:14 .

And thereby many be defiled lest by but one such poisonous root, a whole church of Christians may be infected and poisoned, their sin being as apt to spread and diffuse itself, as leaven, 1Co 5:6 , to taint the whole lump, Gal 5:9 : and how early, even in the apostles’ time, for want of obeying this caution, were the primitive churches corrupted, both in doctrine and morals, by loose, filthy heretics among them!

Haydock: Heb 12:15 - -- Be wanting to the grace of God, by resisting and abusing his favours, or by falling from the grace of God received. --- Lest any root of bitterness,...

Be wanting to the grace of God, by resisting and abusing his favours, or by falling from the grace of God received. ---

Lest any root of bitterness, &c. He means scandalous wicked persons, by whom others are infected, defiled, and corrupted. (Witham)

Gill: Heb 12:15 - -- Looking diligently,.... Acting the part of bishops, or overseers, as the word signifies; and so this exhortation either respects officers of the churc...

Looking diligently,.... Acting the part of bishops, or overseers, as the word signifies; and so this exhortation either respects officers of the church of the Hebrews, whose business it was more especially to inspect into the principles and practices of the members of it, and take care that they did not imbibe false doctrines, or live immoral lives; or rather the several members of the church, whose business it is to watch over one another, since this epistle seems to be written to the whole church.

Lest any man fail of the grace of God; not the free favour and love of God in Christ, which is everlasting, unchangeable, and from whence there is no separation; nor the grace of God implanted in the heart in regeneration, which is incorruptible, never failing, but always remains, as do faith, hope, and love; but either the whole doctrine of the Gospel, which is a declaration of the grace of God; or particularly the doctrine of free justification by the righteousness of Christ, which men may receive in vain, and fall from, 2Co 6:1 to which these Hebrews might be prone: and such "fail" of it, who either come short of it, do not come up to it, receive and embrace it; or who having professed it, drop it and deny it: now such should be looked after, and such a case should be diligently looked into; because the glory of God, the honour of Christ, the good of souls, and the well being, and even the continuance of the church state are concerned:

lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; the Alexandrian copy reads οι πολλοι, "the many", the common people, the private members of the church; though it may intend either things or persons: it may design things; and these either the corruption of nature in general, which is a root that lies hidden in a man's heart; and is a root or gall of bitterness; and is apt to spring up, and bring forth bitter fruit, and gives trouble both to a man's self and others; and is of a defiling nature, in particular sins; such as malice, strife, and contention, covetousness, lust, pride, oppression, idleness, &c. which make bitter work, and occasion great trouble in churches, oftentimes: or errors and heresies, which sometimes, like roots, lie under ground, secret and undiscovered; and are bitter ones in their effects, bringing ruin and swift destruction on the souls of men; and these sometimes spring up in churches, while ministers and members are asleep, or not so diligent and watchful as they should be; and occasion great trouble, and are very infectious, and defiling: moreover, persons may be designed; which agrees well with Deu 29:18 from whence this phrase is taken; and with the instance in the following verse, such as all immoral persons, and false teachers, particularly self-justiciaries, that preach the doctrine of justification by the works of the law: this was the capital mistake, and rooted error of the Jewish nation; and a bitter one it was; it produced many bitter fruits of pride and vain glory; and this sprung up in the church, and troubled and defiled many there and elsewhere, being spread by the abettors of it; see Act 15:24. Now, care should be taken, that no such person be in churches, holding such an error; because of the glory of God, Father, Son, and Spirit; the comfort of souls; the peace of the church, and the growth and increase of it, which must be hurt by such men and doctrines; so ριζα αμαρτωλος, "a sinful root", is used for a "wicked man", in the Apocrypha:

"In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow.'' (1 Maccabees 1:11)

and שורש המרי, "a root of bitterness", signifies, in Jewish writings u, an error, or heresy, in opposition to a root of faith, or a fundamental doctrine.

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Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Heb 12:15 An allusion to Deut 29:18.

Geneva Bible: Heb 12:15 ( 10 ) Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any ( f ) root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be def...

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Commentary -- Verse Range Notes

TSK Synopsis: Heb 12:1-29 - --1 An exhortation to constant faith, patience, and godliness.22 A commendation of the new testament above the old.

Combined Bible: Heb 12:15 - --Call to Examination    (Hebrews 12:15)    We had first thought of giving a brief exposition of this verse at the close of the p...

MHCC: Heb 12:12-17 - --A burden of affliction is apt to make the Christian's hands hang down, and his knees grow feeble, to dispirit him and discourage him; but against this...

Matthew Henry: Heb 12:4-17 - -- Here the apostle presses the exhortation to patience and perseverance by an argument taken from the gentle measure and gracious nature of those suff...

Barclay: Heb 12:12-17 - --With this passage the writer to the Hebrews comes to the problems of everyday Christian life and living. He knew that sometimes it is given to a man ...

Constable: Heb 12:14--Jam 1:1 - --V. Life in a Hostile World 12:14--13:25 This final major section of the book apparently grew out of the writer's...

Constable: Heb 12:14-29 - --A. The Danger of Unresponsiveness (the Fifth Warning) 12:14-29 The writer now turned from the hearers' r...

Constable: Heb 12:14-17 - --1. The goal of peace 12:14-17 These verses summarize what the writer said previously about irrevocable loss through disobedience, unbelief, apostasy, ...

College: Heb 12:1-29 - --HEBREWS 12 VIII. GOD EXPECTS US TO ENDURE DISCIPLINE (12:1-29) A. A CALL TO PERSEVERANCE (12:1-3) 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a gr...

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Introduction / Outline

Robertson: Hebrews (Book Introduction) The Epistle to the Hebrews By Way of Introduction Unsettled Problems Probably no book in the New Testament presents more unsettled problems tha...

JFB: Hebrews (Book Introduction) CANONICITY AND AUTHORSHIP.--CLEMENT OF ROME, at the end of the first century (A.D), copiously uses it, adopting its words just as he does those of the...

JFB: Hebrews (Outline) THE HIGHEST OF ALL REVELATIONS IS GIVEN US NOW IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO IS GREATER THAN THE ANGELS, AND WHO, HAVING COMPLETED REDEMPTION, SITS ENTHRONE...

TSK: Hebrews 12 (Chapter Introduction) Overview Heb 12:1, An exhortation to constant faith, patience, and godliness; Heb 12:22, A commendation of the new testament above the old.

Poole: Hebrews 12 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 13

MHCC: Hebrews (Book Introduction) This epistle shows Christ as the end, foundation, body, and truth of the figures of the law, which of themselves were no virtue for the soul. The grea...

MHCC: Hebrews 12 (Chapter Introduction) (Heb 12:1-11) An exhortation to be constant and persevere, The example of Christ is set forth, and the gracious design of God in all the sufferings be...

Matthew Henry: Hebrews (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Epistle to the Hebrews Concerning this epistle we must enquire, I. Into the divine authority of it...

Matthew Henry: Hebrews 12 (Chapter Introduction) The apostle, in this chapter, applies what he has collected in the chapter foregoing, and makes use of it as a great motive to patience and perseve...

Barclay: Hebrews (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS God Fulfils Himself In Many Ways Religion has never been the same thing to all men. "God," as Tennyson sai...

Barclay: Hebrews 12 (Chapter Introduction) The Race And The Goal (Heb_12:1-2) The Standard Of Comparison (Heb_12:3-4) The Discipline Of God (Heb_12:5-11) Duties, Aims And Dangers (Heb_12:...

Constable: Hebrews (Book Introduction) Introduction Historical background The writer said that he and those to whom he wrote ...

Constable: Hebrews (Outline)

Constable: Hebrews Hebrews Bibliography Andersen, Ward. "The Believer's Rest (Hebrews 4)." Biblical Viewpoint 24:1 (April 1990):31...

Haydock: Hebrews (Book Introduction) THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL, THE APOSTLE, TO THE HEBREWS. INTRODUCTION. The Catholic Church hath received and declared this Epistle to be part of ...

Gill: Hebrews (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS That this epistle was written very early appears from hence, that it was imitated by Clement of Rome, in his epistle to the...

Gill: Hebrews 12 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS 12 In this chapter the apostle presses to a constant exercise of faith and patience, amidst the various afflictions the sai...

College: Hebrews (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION It is difficult to overestimate the significance of Hebrews for understanding the nature of the new covenant. No other document in the N...

College: Hebrews (Outline) OUTLINE I. JESUS IS SUPERIOR TO THE ANGELS - 1:1-14 A. The Preeminence of the Son - 1:1-4 B. The Son Superior to the Angels - 1:5-14 II. ...

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