Many times in this blog I have suggested that we need to be aware of terms that are repeated. It is like the teacher or professor stomping their foot in front of the class to emphasize a point.
There is a key term repeated in Hebrews 12:3, 5. In your version the word may not be translated the same. It is not in the NASB. In three it is translated “lose heart,” in five, “faint”.
The interesting thing is that the close repletion may suggest several things for us to consider as we face the daily struggles of life. In the Greek both these words are both verbs and passive. The instance in verse five is a command.
In verse three the word is a participle. In Greek a participle gains its force from the main verb, in this case, “consider,” which is a command. Thus the not losing heart takes on the force of a command.
The grammatical link of the imperatives, commands, links the means to deal with both the difficulty we face from those who attack the faith, and the challenges we face from the Lord’s discipline. Namely we are to fix our eyes, verse 2, and consider Him, verse 3.
It is by this laser like focus that we will be able to meet any challenge that we encounter in this life.
The interesting thing is that the close repletion may suggest several things for us to consider as we face the daily struggles of life. In the Greek both these words are both verbs and passive. The instance in verse five is a command.
In verse three the word is a participle. In Greek a participle gains its force from the main verb, in this case, “consider,” which is a command. Thus the not losing heart takes on the force of a command.
The grammatical link of the imperatives, commands, links the means to deal with both the difficulty we face from those who attack the faith, and the challenges we face from the Lord’s discipline. Namely we are to fix our eyes, verse 2, and consider Him, verse 3.
It is by this laser like focus that we will be able to meet any challenge that we encounter in this life.
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