Page 96 - Hebrews- Student Textbook

12:11 "it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness" The Christian life is from faith to faith, from
affirmation (profession of faith) to character (life of faith, cf. Rom. 5:3-5; James 1:2-4).

12:12 This is an allusion to Isa. 35:3, which may be the background of the whole discussion in chapter
12. The mature ought to strengthen the weak (those close to shrinking back). "Strengthen" is literally
"make straight," which is a word play on the next verse.

12:13 "make straight paths for your feet" This may be an allusion to Pro. 4:26 in the Septuagint (LXX) or
to a well-known proverb using "straight paths" as an OT metaphor for righteousness.

12:14-17 this is the last warning (cf. 2:1-4; 3:7-4:11; 5:11-6:12; 10:19-39; 12:14-17).

12:14 "Pursue peace" This is a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE. In the context of
1. Persecution from without
2. Unbelief among friends (Jewish unbelievers with whom the believing Jews were still
worshiping)
3. Doubt within (the danger of "shrinking back" (cf. 10:38) this discussion of peace is very
important.

There are several related passages about "peace."
1. Ps. 34:14, "seek peace, pursue it"
2. Mark 9:50, "be at peace with one another"
3. Rom. 12:18, "If possible, so as it depends on you, be at peace with all men"
4. 1 Cor. 7:15, "Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave. . .but God has called us to peace"
5. 2 Tim. 2:22, "pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a
pure heart"

"and the sanctification" This term "sanctification" must relate to v. 10 and is connected to "discipline."
God disciplines believers for holiness. The goal of salvation is Christlikeness.

This is not positional (instantaneous) sanctification, but experiential (progressive) sanctification. The
gospel presents salvation and the Christian life in two tension-filled ways. In one sense it is a finished,
free, once-for-all gift from God (INDICATIVE), but it is also a life of faith, obedience, service, and worship
(IMPERATIVE). Many believers emphasize one aspect to the exclusion of the other (Augustine vs. Pelagius;
Calvin vs. Arminius). Believers' relationship with God begins at a point in time, a point of conviction,
culminating in repentance and faith, but it must also move through time to a culmination at death or
the Second Coming; faithfulness, righteousness, perseverance are important, crucial evidences of a true
salvation.

Compare the following texts on sanctification.

Positional (INDICATIVE) Progressive (IMPERATIVE)
Acts 26:18 Romans 6:19
Romans 15:16 2 Cor. 7:1
1 Corinthians 1:2-3; 6:11 Ephesians 1:4; 2:10
I1 Thessalonians 2:13 1 Thess. 3:13; 4:3-4,7; 5:2

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