Hebrews 12 · Verse 3

Hebrews 12:3

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Hebrews 12:3, King James Version

Hebrews 12:3 in other translations

BSBConsider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
WEBFor consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls.
ASVFor consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls.
YLTfor consider again him who endured such gainsaying from the sinners to himself, that ye may not be wearied in your souls--being faint.
DARBYFor consider well him who endured so great contradiction from sinners against himself, that ye be not weary, fainting in your minds.
BBEGive thought to him who has undergone so much of the hate of sinners against himself, so that you may not be tired and feeble of purpose.
WebsterFor consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

What does Hebrews 12:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. For--justifying his exhortation, "Looking unto Jesus." consider--by way of comparison with yourselves, so the Greek. contradiction--unbelief, and every kind of opposition (Ac 28:19). sinners--Sin assails us. Not sin, but sinners, contradicted Christ [Bengel]. be wearied and faint--Greek, "lest ye weary fainting." Compare Is 49:4, 5, as a specimen of Jesus not being wearied out by the contradiction and strange unbelief of those among whom He labored, preaching as never man did, and exhibiting miracles wrought by His inherent power, as none else could do.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. For consider him. Attentively reflect on his example, that you may be able to bear your trials in a proper manner.

That endured such contradiction of sinners. Such opposition. The reference is to the Jews of the time of the Saviour, who opposed his plans, perverted his sayings, and ridiculed his claims. Yet, regardless of their opposition, he persevered in the course which he had marked out, and went patiently forward in the execution of his plans. The idea is, that we are to pursue the path of duty, and follow the dictates of conscience, let the world say what they will about it. In doing this, we cannot find a better example than the Saviour. No opposition of sinners ever turned him from the way which he regarded as right; no ridicule ever caused him to abandon any of his plans; no argument, or expression of scorn, ever caused him for a moment to deviate from his course.

Lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. The meaning is, that there is great danger of being disheartened and wearied out by the opposition which you meet with. But with the bright example of one who was never disheartened, and who never became weary in doing the will of God, you may persevere. The best means of leading a faithful Christian life, amidst the opposition which we may encounter, is to keep the eye steadily fixed on the Saviour.

(*) "of sinners" "From sinners"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 For consider him - Αναλογισασθε - ἱνα μη καμητε, ταις ψυχαις - εκλυμενοι· Attentively observe and analyze every part of his conduct, enter into his spirit, examine his motives and object, and remember that, as he acted, ye are called to act; he will furnish you with the same Spirit, and will support you with the same strength. He bore a continual opposition of sinners against himself; but he conquered by meekness, patience, and perseverance: he has left you an example that ye should follow his steps. If ye trust in him, ye shall receive strength; therefore, howsoever great your opposition may be, ye shall not be weary: if ye confide in and attentively look to him, ye shall have continual courage to go on, and never faint in your minds. Here is a continued allusion to the contenders in the Grecian games, who, when exhausted in bodily strength and courage, yielded the palm to their opponents, and were said καμνειν, to be weary or exhausted; εκλυεσθαι, to be dissolved, disheartened, or to have lost all bravery and courage.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Hebrews 12:1-11

Chapter Outline An exhortation to be constant and persevere, The example of Christ is set forth, and the gracious design of God in all the sufferings believers endured. (1-11) Peace and holiness are recommended, with cautions against despising spiritual blessings. (12-17) The New Testament dispensation shown to be much more excellent than the Old. (18-29) Verses 1-11 The persevering obedience of faith in Christ, was…

Read the full comment on Hebrews 12:1-11 →

Hebrews 12:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ἀναλογίσασθεanalogisasthedo consider fullyG357
γὰρgarforG1063
τὸνtonthe [One]G3588
τοιαύτηνtoiautēnsuch greatG5108
ὑπομεμενηκόταhupomemenēkotahaving enduredG5278
ὑπὸhupofromG5259
τῶνtōn<the>G3588
ἁμαρτωλῶνhamartōlōnsinnersG268
εἰςeisagainstG1519
ἑαυτὸνhe'autonHimselfG1438
ἀντιλογίαν,antilogianhostility,G485
ἵναinaso thatG2443
μὴmēnotG3361
κάμητεkamēteyou may grow wearyG2577
ταῖςtaisin theG3588
ψυχαῖςpsuchaissoulsG5590
ὑμῶνhumōnof youG4771
ἐκλυόμενοι.ekluomenoifainting.G1590

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Hebrews 12:3

  • Galatians 6:9

    And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:16

    For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

  • Revelation 2:3

    And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:58

    Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

  • 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.

  • Hebrews 3:1

    Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

  • John 15:18-24

    If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. …

  • 2 Corinthians 4:1

    Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;

  • John 5:16

    And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

  • 1 Samuel 12:24

    Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

  • Matthew 10:24-25

    The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

  • Hebrews 12:5

    And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
consider.
2; 3:1; 1Sa 12:24; 2Ti 2:7,8
contradiction.
Mt 10:24,25; 11:19; 12:24; 15:2; 21:15,16,23,46; 22:15; Lu 2:34; *Gr:
Lu 4:28,29; 5:21; 11:15,16,53,54; 13:13,14; 14:1; 15:2; 16:14; 19:39
Lu 19:40; Joh 5:16; 7:12; 8:13,48,49,52,59; 9:40; 10:20,31-39; 12:9
Joh 12:10; 15:18-24; 18:22
lest.
5; De 20:3; Pr 24:10; Isa 40:30,31; 50:4; 1Co 15:58; 2Co 4:1,16
Ga 6:9; 2Th 3:13

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 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.

  • Hebrews 12:3

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

  • Hebrews 12:4

    Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Read all of Hebrews 12

Hebrews 12:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Reducid pues á vuestro pensamiento á aquel que sufrió tal contradicción de pecadores contra sí mismo, porque no os fatiguéis en vuestros ánimos desmayando.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car considérez celui qui a enduré une telle contradiction de la part des pécheurs contre lui-même, afin que vous ne soyez pas las, étant découragés dans vos âmes.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn betrachtet den, der so großen Widerspruch von den Sündern gegen sich erduldet hat, auf daß ihr nicht ermüdet, indem ihr in euren Seelen ermattet.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Recogitate enim eum qui talem sustinuit a peccatoribus adversum semetipsum contradictionem: ut ne fatigemini, animis vestris deficientes.