Hebrews 12:2

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

a. ASV: Looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

  

b. YLT: Looking to the author and perfecter of faith -- Jesus, who, over-against the joy set before him -- did endure a cross, shame having despised, on the right hand also of the throne of God did sit down;

d. Amplified Bible Classic: Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

1.  “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”

a. Looking [Strong: 872 aphorao af-or-ah'-o from 575 and 3708; to consider attentively:--look.] [Thayer: to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something.]

b. unto [Strong: 1519 eis, ice; a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:—(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, +continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, +perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with.]

c. Jesus [Strong: 2424 Iēsoûs, ee-ay-sooce'; of Hebrew origin (H3091); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:—Jesus.]

d. the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [Ton] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]

e. author [Strong: 747 archēgós, ar-khay-gos'; from G746 and G71; a chief leader:—author, captain, prince. the chief leader, prince, of Christ, one that takes the lead in any thing and thus affords an example, a predecessor in a matter, pioneer, the author.]

f. and [Strong: 2532 kaí, kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

g. finisher[Strong: 5051 teleiōtḗs, tel-i-o-tace'; from G5048; a completer, i.e. consummater:—finisher.] [Thayer: a perfector, one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith.]

h. of [our] [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [Tes] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]

i. faith [Strong: 4102 pístis, pis'-tis; from G3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.] [Vine: The main elements in faith in its relation to the invisible God, as distinct from faith in man, are especially brought out in the use of this noun and corresponding verb. They are: 1. A firm conviction producing a full acknowledgement of God’s word as truth: Romans 3:2-4. 2. Personal surrender to Him: John 1:12; John 8:31-34. 3. Conduct inspired by such surrender: 2 Corinthians 5:7. All this stands in contrast to belief in its purely natural exercise, which consists of an opinion held in good faith without necessary reference to its proofs.

1). Jesus is the author and the supreme example of faith, but that does not mean that the adding of faith in us happens automatically or that Jesus does it for us. No, it is our responsibility to feed on the word and allow the Spirit of God to give us revelation, instilling faith and grace into us.

a). Romans 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

b). 1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

2). The work of redemption will go on in us until the second coming of Christ.

a). Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:  

2. “…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,

a. who [Strong: 3739 hós, hos; probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:—one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

b. for [Strong: 473 antí, an-tee'; a primary particle; opposite, i.e. instead or because of (rarely in addition to):—for, in the room of.]

c. the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [Tes] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]

d. joy [Strong: 5479  chara khar-ah' from 5463; cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight:--gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy(-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).] [Thayer: joy, gladness, the joy received from you, the cause or occasion of joy, of persons who are one's joy.]

e. [that was] set before [Strong: 4295  prókeimai, prok'-i-mahee; from G4253 and G2749; to lie before the view, i.e. (figuratively) to be present (to the mind), to stand forth (as an example or reward):—be first, set before (forth).]

f. him [Strong: 846 autós, ow-tos'; from the particle αὖ aû (perhaps akin to the base of G109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:—her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

g. endured [Strong: 5278 hypoménō, hoop-om-en'-o; from G5259 and G3306; to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere:—abide, endure, (take) patient(-ly), suffer, tarry behind.]

h. [the] cross [Strong: 4716 staurós, stow-ros'; from the base of G2476; a stake or post (as set upright), i.e. (specially), a pole or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figuratively, exposure to death, i.e. self-denial; by implication, the atonement of Christ:—cross.]

3. despising the shame…”

a. despising [Strong: 2706 kataphronéō, kat-af-ron-eh'-o; from G2596 and G5426; to think against, i.e. disesteem:—despise.] [Thayer: to contemn, despise, disdain, think little or nothing of.]

b. [the] shame [Strong: 152 aischýnē, ahee-skhoo'-nay; from G153; shame or disgrace (abstractly or concretely):—dishonesty, shame.]

1). [Amplified Classic Bible] “…He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame…”

2). The crucifixion was one of the most shameful and painful deaths an individual could experience. Most do not know that the individual was stripped naked and crucified. Every image of Jesus on the cross shows a cloth wrapped around his loins is done so either from ignorance or for discretion sake. In reality Jesus was naked. It was not only the most painful form of capital punishment but also the most humiliating. Yet the text says that something was set before him that enabled him to not only endure the most painful form of death but also to “think little or nothing” of the shame of being naked on the cross in full view of everyone. The text says it was “the joy that was set before him” that enabled him to go through with it. Let’s look at this “joy” for a moment.

3). In Luke’s gospel Jesus tells a couple of parables that illustrates the joy that Hebrews is referring to.

a). Luke 15:3-10 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

15:9 And when she hath found it she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

b). I have heard many times in church circles that when someone comes to Christ that the angels are rejoicing in heaven, but folks, that is not what it says. In fact, nowhere in either of those parables does it say that angels are rejoicing. It says “joy shall be in heaven” and “there is joy in the presence of the angles of God”. The text does not say angels are rejoicing, it really says that the angels are witnessing the rejoicing that is going on. The rejoicing is being experienced by either man or God, but probably both; of course men and women will rejoice when people get saved but so does God.

(1) Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

(2) The second Hebrew word for joy in this verse is joy [1523 * giyl][Strong: to spin around under the influence of a violent emotion.][Gesenius; to dance, to leap for joy]

(3) Now remember the text is referring to God here, God who is saving people and is spinning around for joy and leaping and dancing for joy over people getting saved.

4). Space will not permit all the verses that could be posted but Scripture clearly declares Jesus had a glimpse of what was going to be accomplished by his obedience. There were glorious things that would take place in the future because of his obedience.

a). 1 Peter 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

5). Indeed the joy that was set before Jesus was the fact that His obedience would provide for the redemption for the whole world, the knowledge of our redemption enabled him to go through the horrible pain and the shame for us.

a). Hebrews 9:11-15 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

b). Romans 3:21, 22 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

6). All this is confirmed by the words that Jesus himself spoke when referring to the rewards handed out to faithful believers in the future.

a). Matthew 25:21-23 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

25:22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.