Run with Endurance: God’s Disciplining Love
Hebrews 12:1-13
Heb.12.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Τοιγαρουν: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- τοσουτον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- εχοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- περικειμενον: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,nom,sg,neut
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- νεφος: NOUN,nom,sg,neut
- μαρτυρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- ογκον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αποθεμενοι: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,pl,m
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ευπεριστατον: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- αμαρτιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- δι᾽υπομονης: PREP+NOUN,gen,sg,f
- τρεχωμεν: VERB,pres,act,subj,1,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- προκειμενον: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,acc,sg,m
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- αγωνα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Hebrews 11:32-40 (structural): Immediate context: the preceding chapter presents the 'cloud of witnesses'—examples of faith whose stories frame the exhortation to persevere in chapter 12.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (thematic): Uses athletic race imagery and self-discipline—run to obtain a prize and discipline the body—parallel to running the appointed race with perseverance.
- Philippians 3:12-14 (verbal): Paul's language of pressing on, straining forward and 'pressing toward the goal' echoes the exhortation to run the race laid out before believers.
- Galatians 5:7 (verbal): The image of running well but being hindered by someone mirrors Hebrews' warning to throw off hindrances and the easily entangling sin.
- 2 Timothy 4:7 (thematic): Paul's 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race' reflects the same race/contest motif and the goal of faithful perseverance to the end.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us.
- Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set before us.
Heb.12.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αφορωντες: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- πιστεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αρχηγον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τελειωτην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- αντι: PREP,gen
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- προκειμενης: VERB,pres,pass,part,gen,sg,f
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- χαρας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- υπεμεινεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- σταυρον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αισχυνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- καταφρονησας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- δεξια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- τε: CONJ
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θρονου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- κεκαθικεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Hebrews 2:10 (verbal): Uses language of Jesus as the 'author/founder' (ἀρχηγός) and being perfected through suffering—direct verbal and theological parallel to 'author and finisher of our faith.'
- Philippians 2:8-11 (thematic): Depicts Christ's humiliating death ('unto death, even the death of the cross') followed by exaltation and being confessed as Lord—parallels 'endured the cross... despising the shame' and 'sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.'
- Isaiah 53:3-12 (allusion): The Suffering Servant motif (despised, afflicted, bearing shame and transgression) underlies Hebrews' portrayal of Jesus enduring shame and suffering for others—an Old Testament template for the verse's language and theology.
- Psalm 110:1 (verbal): The image of sitting at God's right hand ('Sit at my right hand') is echoed in Hebrews 12:2's statement that Jesus 'is seated at the right hand of the throne of God,' linking exaltation language to this royal/priestly psalm.
- Hebrews 11:1 (thematic): Defines and centers on 'faith'; Hebrews 12:2 calls Jesus the 'author and finisher of our faith,' connecting the chapter's call to run by faith back to the foundational definition and examples of faith in chapter 11.
Alternative generated candidates
- Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb.12.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αναλογισασθε: VERB,aor,mid,imp,2,pl
- γαρ: PART
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- τοιαυτην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- υπομεμενηκοτα: VERB,perf,act,part,acc,sg,m
- υπο: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αμαρτωλων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- εαυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- αντιλογιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ινα: CONJ
- μη: PART
- καμητε: VERB,pres,act,subj,2,pl
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- ψυχαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- εκλυομενοι: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Hebrews 4:15 (verbal): Both verses emphasize Jesus' experience of suffering/temptation and his sympathetic role—Heb.12:3 invokes his endurance as an example to prevent believers becoming discouraged.
- Hebrews 2:18 (thematic): States that Jesus suffered when tempted and can help those tempted—parallels Heb.12:3's focus on Christ's endurance under opposition from sinners as the model for believers.
- 1 Peter 2:21-23 (allusion): Peter presents Christ's suffering as the pattern for believers to follow (entrusting himself to God rather than retaliating), echoing Hebrews' appeal to Christ's patient endurance.
- James 5:11 (thematic): Uses the endurance of Job and the Lord's compassion as an encouragement to persevere under suffering—similar pastoral aim to Heb.12:3's warning not to grow weary.
- Galatians 6:9 (thematic): Urges believers not to grow weary in doing good because of future reward—relates directly to Heb.12:3's admonition against becoming faint‑hearted in the face of opposition.
Alternative generated candidates
- Consider him who endured such hostility from sinners against himself, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.
- Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners against himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.
Heb.12.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουπω: ADV
- μεχρις: PREP
- αιματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- αντικατεστητε: VERB,aor,pass,ind,2,pl
- προς: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αμαρτιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ανταγωνιζομενοι: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Hebrews 11:35-38 (thematic): Describes those in the faith who endured torture, mocking, chains, and death—illustrates earlier exemplars who suffered (even to death) rather than renounce faith, paralleling the idea of struggling against sin even unto blood.
- Hebrews 10:32-39 (structural): Immediate context in the same letter urging remembrance of past sufferings and perseverance under persecution; connects endurance and continued faithfulness with the struggle against sin and opposition.
- 1 Peter 4:1-2 (thematic): Argues that suffering in the flesh leads Christians to cease from sin—links the experience of suffering with moral victory over sin, similar to resisting unto shedding of blood.
- James 4:7 (verbal): Imperative to 'resist the devil'—a compact verbal parallel emphasizing active resistance against sin and temptation, consonant with the exhortation in Heb.12:4.
- Revelation 2:10 (thematic): Exhortation to 'be faithful unto death' with the promise of the crown of life—parallels the call to endure suffering (even to death) in the conflict of faith against sin and persecution.
Alternative generated candidates
- In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed.
- In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.
Heb.12.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εκλελησθε: VERB,perf,mid/pass,ind,2,pl
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- παρακλησεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ητις: PRON,rel,nom,sg,f
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- ως: ADV
- υιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- διαλεγεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- Υιε: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- μη: PART
- ολιγωρει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- παιδειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μηδε: CONJ
- εκλυου: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,sg
- υπ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- ελεγχομενος·: PART,pres,pass,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Proverbs 3:11-12 (quotation): Hebrews 12:5 directly echoes and cites Prov 3:11-12 (LXX/Heb): 'My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline...' using the proverb to frame divine chastening as paternal and loving.
- Revelation 3:19 (verbal): Revelation 3:19 states 'Those whom I love I reprove and discipline,' repeating the same verbal motif of love-linked divine correction found in Heb 12:5–6.
- Job 5:17 (thematic): Job 5:17 ('Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty') shares the admonition to accept God's correction and presents chastening as beneficial.
- Psalm 94:12 (thematic): Psalm 94:12 ('Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD...') parallels Hebrews' portrayal of divine discipline as a form of instruction and blessing for the faithful.
Alternative generated candidates
- And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons—'My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not be discouraged when you are reproved by him'—
- And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons—'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when you are reproved by him'?
Heb.12.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- αγαπα: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- παιδευει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μαστιγοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- υιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- παραδεχεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Proverbs 3:11-12 (quotation): Hebrews 12:5-6 directly echoes Proverbs 3:11-12's language about the Lord disciplining the one he loves, treating divine correction as a father's loving chastening.
- Revelation 3:19 (verbal): ‘Those whom I love I reprove and discipline’ closely parallels Hebrews' statement that the Lord chastens the son he receives—same phraseology and theologically identical affirmation of loving correction.
- Deuteronomy 8:5 (thematic): Deuteronomy compares God's discipline to a father's discipline of a son, the same paternal framework Hebrews uses to interpret divine chastening as purposeful and parental.
- Psalm 94:12 (93:12 LXX) (thematic): ‘Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord’ links blessing with divine instruction/discipline, resonating with Hebrews' portrayal of discipline as beneficial and confirming sonship.
- Job 5:17-18 (allusion): Job 5:17–18 speaks of divine reproof as a blessing that heals and redeems; Hebrews similarly presents chastening as corrective and for the recipient's good.
Alternative generated candidates
- for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.
- For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens every son whom he receives.
Heb.12.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εις: PREP
- παιδειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- υπομενετε·ως: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- υιοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- προσφερεται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος·τις: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ον: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- ου: PART,neg
- παιδευει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- πατηρ: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Proverbs 3:11-12 (quotation): Hebrews 12:5–7 explicitly echoes Proverbs 3:11–12 (My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline...), using the proverb as the scriptural basis for saying God disciplines those He regards as sons.
- Psalm 94:12 (verbal): ‘Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD’ (LXX/MT) parallels the positive valuation of divine discipline in Hebrews 12:7—discipline as evidence of relationship and blessing.
- Revelation 3:19 (verbal): ‘Those whom I love I reprove and discipline’ expresses the same principle: divine chastening as an act of love toward God's people, corresponding to Hebrews’ claim that God disciplines his children.
- 1 Corinthians 11:32 (thematic): Paul’s remark that the Lord disciplines/judges believers ‘so that we may not be condemned with the world’ echoes Hebrews’ purpose of discipline—to correct and preserve the covenant people rather than to destroy them.
Alternative generated candidates
- It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not discipline?
- It is for discipline that you must endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom a father does not discipline?
Heb.12.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- χωρις: PREP,gen
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- παιδειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ης: PRON,gen,sg,f
- μετοχοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- γεγονασι: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,pl
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- αρα: PART
- νοθοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ουχ: PART,neg
- υιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- Proverbs 3:11-12 (quotation): Hebrews 12:5–6 explicitly echoes and quotes Prov 3:11–12, using the proverb’s language about the Lord’s parental chastening to ground the argument that divine discipline is evidence of sonship.
- Psalm 94:12 (thematic): Both texts portray God’s discipline as a form of parental instruction that brings blessing—‘whom the LORD chastens’—linking correction with belonging to God’s family.
- Job 5:17 (thematic): Job 5:17 affirms that divine reproof is beneficial/blessing; Hebrews uses the same logic that chastening indicates a correcting, caring relationship rather than rejection.
- Galatians 4:6-7 (thematic): Paul’s language about adoption and being children/heirs of God parallels Hebrews’ concern with true sonship; both contrast the status of being children with lesser or illegitimate standing.
- Romans 8:14-17 (thematic): Romans links sonship with the Spirit’s testimony, suffering, and inheritance as heirs with Christ—echoing Hebrews’ connection between familial relationship (sonship) and the experience/discipline that marks God’s children.
Alternative generated candidates
- If you are without discipline—of which all have become partakers—then you are illegitimate and not sons.
- But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Heb.12.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειτα: ADV
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- μεν: PART
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- σαρκος: NOUN,gen,sg,fem
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- πατερας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- ειχομεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,1,pl
- παιδευτας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ενετρεπομεθα·ου: VERB,impf,mid/pass,ind,1,pl
- πολυ: ADV
- μαλλον: ADV
- υποταγησομεθα: VERB,fut,pass,ind,1,pl
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- πατρι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πνευματων: NOUN,gen,pl,neut
- και: CONJ
- ζησομεν: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,pl
Parallels
- Hebrews 12:5-8 (structural): Immediate context: the writer cites parental discipline (vv.5–8) and then in v.9 contrasts earthly fathers with the ‘Father of spirits,’ so these verses form the structural argument that frames 12:9.
- Proverbs 3:11-12 (quotation): Hebrews 12:5 explicitly alludes to/quotes Proverbs 3:11–12 about the LORD’s fatherly chastening; 12:9 continues the comparison between human parental discipline and God’s discipline.
- Proverbs 23:13-14 (thematic): Speaks of corporal discipline by a parent for a child’s good; thematically parallels the claim that our earthly fathers disciplined us and the analogy to God’s corrective parenting.
- Galatians 4:6 (thematic): Affirms God’s role as Father through the Spirit (we cry ‘Abba, Father’), paralleling Hebrews’ notion of God as the ‘Father of spirits’ and the filial relationship that calls for submission.
Alternative generated candidates
- Besides, we had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
- Moreover, we had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them; shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
Heb.12.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- μεν: PART
- γαρ: PART
- προς: PREP
- ολιγας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- κατα: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- δοκουν: PTCP,pres,act,acc,sg,n
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- επαιδευον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- επι: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- συμφερον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- μεταλαβειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αγιοτητος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Proverbs 3:11-12 (quotation): Hebrews 12 explicitly echoes and cites this proverb about not despising the Lord's chastening—linking divine discipline to paternal correction and love.
- Deuteronomy 8:5 (verbal): God's discipline is compared to a father's correction ('as a man disciplines his son'), a close verbal/thematic parallel to Hebrews' fatherly imagery for divine chastening.
- Proverbs 23:13-14 (thematic): Parental disciplining (even corporal) is defended as beneficial to the child's welfare—parallels Hebrews' contrast between brief earthly correction and God's corrective purpose for our good.
- Psalm 94:12 (thematic): The psalm celebrates the blessedness of one whom the Lord disciplines and teaches, resonating with Hebrews' claim that divine chastening is for our benefit and sanctification.
Alternative generated candidates
- For they disciplined us for a short time according to what seemed good to them; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
- For they disciplined us for a short time according to their judgment; but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
Heb.12.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πασα: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- παιδεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- προς: PREP
- μεν: PART
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- παρον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- ου: PART,neg
- δοκει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- χαρας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αλλα: CONJ
- λυπης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- υστερον: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- καρπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ειρηνικον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- δι᾽αυτης: PRON,gen,sg,f
- γεγυμνασμενοις: PART,perf,pass,dat,pl,m
- αποδιδωσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- δικαιοσυνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Proverbs 3:11-12 (verbal): Closely echoed in Hebrews 12:5–11: the father’s discipline is painful now but is intended for the child’s good, and the Lord disciplines those he loves.
- Psalm 94:12 (allusion): ‘Blessed is the one whom you discipline, O LORD’—connects divine discipline with blessing and instruction, similar to Hebrews’ framing of suffering as beneficial training.
- James 1:2-4 (thematic): Both texts present present trials and hardships as producing endurance/maturity and a later, desirable outcome (perseverance leading to maturity or 'perfect' development).
- Hebrews 5:8-9 (structural): Within Hebrews the idea that Jesus himself was trained through suffering and thereby became the source of salvation parallels the chapter’s claim that discipline trains believers to bear the fruit of righteousness.
- 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (thematic): Paul likewise contrasts momentary/light affliction with a future, weighty glory—the present suffering yields an enduring, surpassing result, echoing the 'later peaceful fruit' idea.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
- At the time, discipline seems not to be a cause for joy but for sorrow; yet later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those trained by it.
Heb.12.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Διο: CONJ
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- παρειμενας: VERB,perf,pass,part,acc,pl,f
- χειρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- παραλελυμενα: VERB,perf,pass,part,acc,pl,n
- γονατα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ανορθωσατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- Isaiah 35:3 (LXX Isaiah 35:3) (verbal): Hebrews 12:12 echoes the LXX wording of Isaiah 35:3 — an explicit call to 'strengthen the weak hands' and 'make firm the feeble knees,' a close verbal/phrase parallel.
- Isaiah 40:31 (thematic): Both passages focus on renewed strength for the weary; Isaiah promises renewed vigor for those who wait on the LORD, paralleling Hebrews' exhortation to lift up drooping limbs.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (thematic): Paul exhorts the community to 'encourage the fainthearted, help the weak,' which parallels Hebrews' call to strengthen weakened believers and support those who are faltering.
- Ephesians 3:16 (thematic): Paul's prayer that believers be 'strengthened with power through his Spirit' connects thematically with Hebrews' imperative to restore strength to worn-out hands and knees.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore lift up the drooping hands and strengthen the feeble knees;
- Therefore lift up the drooping hands and strengthen the weak knees.
Heb.12.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- τροχιας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- ορθας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- ποιειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- ποσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- ινα: CONJ
- μη: PART
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- χωλον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- εκτραπη: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
- ιαθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- μαλλον: ADV
Parallels
- Isaiah 40:3 (allusion): Uses the imagery of making a way straight—Hebrews 12:13 echoes Isaiah’s language of preparing and straightening the path for the Lord.
- Luke 3:4-6 (thematic): Luke’s citation of Isaiah about ‘making straight the way’ parallels Hebrews’ exhortation to level paths; both employ the same road/way metaphor of preparation and restoration.
- Proverbs 4:26 (verbal): ‘Ponder the path of your feet’ (or ‘make straight paths for your feet’) is a close proverbial parallel in image and instruction about careful, upright walking.
- Hebrews 12:12 (structural): Immediate context: vv.12–13 form a single exhortation to strengthen the weak and to make straight paths so the lame may be healed—12 prepares the moral/ pastoral demand completed in 13.
- Isaiah 35:3 (allusion): Isaiah’s call to ‘strengthen the weak hands’ and ‘make firm the feeble knees’ resonates with Hebrews 12:12–13 and the cluster of motifs concerning healing and restoration of the lame.
Alternative generated candidates
- and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
- Make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and completer of our faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners against himself, so that you may not grow weary or lose heart.
You have not yet resisted to the point of blood in your struggle against sin. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not despise the discipline of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are reproved by him;'
'for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.'
It is for discipline that you endure; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline—of which all have become sharers—then you are illegitimate children and not sons.
Besides, we had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them; shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
For they disciplined us a little while according to their own judgment; but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those trained by it.
Therefore lift up the hands that hang down and strengthen the weak knees.
Make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but rather be healed.