Hebrews 12 3

Hebrews 12:3 kjv

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Hebrews 12:3 nkjv

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

Hebrews 12:3 niv

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:3 esv

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Hebrews 12:3 nlt

Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up.

Hebrews 12 verses

Hebrews 12 3 Meaning

Hebrews 12:3 urges believers to intently fix their gaze upon Jesus Christ, deeply contemplating His suffering and steadfast endurance when He faced immense, unjust opposition from ungodly people. The profound purpose of this deliberate reflection is to prevent spiritual exhaustion and discouragement in the midst of their own trials and challenges in the race of faith.

Hebrews 12 3 Context

Hebrews chapter 12, often referred to as "the race of faith," opens with a powerful image of believers surrounded by a "great cloud of witnesses" (chapter 11's heroes of faith), urging them to "run with endurance" the race of the Christian life. Verse 2 immediately directs this focus to Jesus Christ, identifying Him as the ultimate example, the "founder and perfecter of our faith." Following this setup, verse 3 provides the essential motivational and practical reason why believers must look to Jesus. The immediate historical context for the original readers was likely one of increasing persecution, social ostracization, and temptation to revert to earlier traditions or give up their Christian confession (as hinted in Heb 10:32-39 and 12:4, "you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood"). The exhortation to "consider Him" is therefore not an abstract theological exercise but a vital call for spiritual fortitude in the face of very real pressures that could lead to spiritual weariness and ultimately, apostasy.

Hebrews 12 3 Word analysis

• For (γὰρ - gar): A conjunction linking back to Hebrews 12:2, indicating that what follows explains why the believer should fix their eyes on Jesus. It signifies a logical reason or explanation.
• consider (ἀναλογίσασθε - analogisasthai): An imperative verb derived from ana (again, up) and logizomai (to reason, calculate, ponder). It means to "think through," "deliberately consider," or "reckon carefully." This is not a superficial glance but a deep, thorough, comparative reflection, weighing the full implications of Jesus' actions and attitude. It implies a detailed mental process to evaluate and learn.
• Him (Αὐτὸν - Auton): Refers explicitly to Jesus, "the founder and perfecter of our faith," emphasizing that He is the sole, perfect object of this careful contemplation.
• who endured (ὑπομεμενηκότα - hypomemēnekota): A perfect active participle of hypomeno, from hypo (under) and meno (to remain, stay). It signifies enduring under pressure, perseverance, steadfastness. The perfect tense denotes a completed action (Jesus' suffering) with continuing results and present relevance; His endurance remains a permanent, active example and source of power. It's more than tolerating; it's steadfastly triumphing despite.
• such hostility (τοιαύτην ἀντιλογίαν - toiautēn antilogian): Toiautēn (such, of such a kind) refers to the unparalleled and severe nature of the opposition Jesus faced. Antilogia (from anti (against) and lego (to speak)) means "speaking against," "contradiction," "dispute," "rebellion," or "gainsaying." It denotes intense verbal and intellectual opposition, which escalated to violent persecution and false accusations, leading to His crucifixion.
• from sinners (ὑπὸ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν - hypo tōn hamartōlōn): Hypo indicates the agent or source of the hostility. Hamartōlōn refers to "sinners" – people estranged from God, highlighting the profound moral injustice and shame of the sinless Son of God being persecuted by wicked humanity.
• against Himself (εἰς αὑτὸν - eis hauton): This phrase emphasizes that the hostility was personal and directly aimed at Jesus, His person, and His claims. It underscores the targeted and intentional nature of the opposition.
• so that (ἵνα - hina): A conjunction introducing a purpose clause. It indicates the direct intended outcome or result of considering Jesus' endurance.
• you (ὑμῶν - hymōn): The plural pronoun addresses the recipients of the letter, identifying them directly as the ones who need this encouragement and the beneficiaries of this contemplation.
• will not grow weary (μὴ κάμητε - mē kamēte): A negated aorist subjunctive of kamnō, meaning "to be weary," "to be tired," or "to become exhausted." It refers to a deep fatigue of the spirit or mind, a weariness that can lead to spiritual collapse.
• and lose heart (ταῖς ψυχαῖς ὑμῶν ἐκλυόμενοι - tais psychais hymōn eklyomenoi): Eklyomenoi is a present passive participle of eklyo, meaning "to unbind," "to loosen," "to relax," or "to become faint" or "exhausted." When used with psychais (souls, lives, inner beings), it describes a profound spiritual despondency, a giving up of one's inner strength, courage, or resolve. It indicates a sense of internal collapse.

Hebrews 12 3 Bonus section

The word "analogy" embedded in analogisasthai ("consider") invites believers to make a direct comparison between their own, lesser sufferings and the profound, incomparable suffering of Jesus. This comparison is not meant to diminish their pain but to place it in proper perspective and draw encouragement from Christ's supreme endurance. The phrase "hypomeno" (endured) in Greek Christian thought is not just passive acceptance, but an active, triumphant persistence that overcomes adversity, often linked with hope. Furthermore, the explicit mention of the antagonists as "sinners" reinforces Jesus' unique position as the sinless One facing a hostile world corrupted by sin, highlighting both His perfect obedience and the scandalous nature of His rejection by humanity. This sustained "consideration" of Christ is a continuous spiritual discipline, enabling believers to root their perseverance not merely in self-will but in the transformative power derived from dwelling on their perfect Lord and Savior.

Hebrews 12 3 Commentary

Hebrews 12:3 offers a powerful call to spiritual discipline and resilience. The command "consider Him" demands more than casual thought; it calls for a continuous, deep, analytical reflection on the entirety of Jesus' earthly experience, specifically His unwavering resolve in the face of "such hostility." This "hostility" (antilogia) encapsulates every form of rejection, contradiction, slander, and persecution Jesus endured, inflicted directly "from sinners against Himself." This opposition was profoundly personal and deeply unjust, aimed at His very identity and mission. The author emphasizes this, not to merely recount history, but to provide a compelling parallel and remedy for the readers' own struggles. The core purpose is utterly practical: "so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Spiritual weariness can lead to stagnation, while "losing heart" (fainting in spirit) signifies internal defeat and potential abandonment of faith. By meticulously pondering Jesus’ steadfastness, believers draw strength from His example, find solace in His shared experience (for He was tried beyond what they could conceive), and recognize that their temporary trials pale in comparison to His eternal victory, thus equipping them to continue the Christian race with renewed vigor and unwavering faith.