Take heed that no one fails to attain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness sprout and cause hindrance, and that by it many are contaminated;
12:15 — “Take good care lest anyone fall short of the grace of God.” Compare 4:1. Reaching God’s grace is obtaining what his grace offers; that is, eternal life. As pilgrims, marching on the Path of Holiness (Isaiah 35:8), everyone must see that none is a weak and discouraged, or an apostate, who falls aside and thus fails to reach the end of the march. — “that sprouting some root of bitterness.” see Deu 29:14-21 (where it refers to leaving the faith of God for idolatry). Whom Hebrews 12:1-29 applies to one who bitterly opposes the faith of the gospel, by word or impurity of life, and works to lead others away from the faith. Such a man can hinder a whole congregation of people (1Co 5:6). We have to exercise supervision (“Look”, from the Greek word episkopeo, as in 1Pe 5:2, “taking care of her”) in this matter. — “it hinders you, and by it many are defiled “. Compare Josh 6:18; Josh 7:25-26.
Source: Commentary on the New Testament by Partain
take a good look Hebrews 2:1, Hebrews 2:2; Hebrews 3:12; Hebrews 4:1, Hebrews 4:11; Hebrews 6:11; Hebrews 10:23-35; Deu 4:9; Pro 4:23; 1Co 9:24-27; 1Co 10:12; 2Co 6:1; 2Co 13:5; 2Pe 1:10; 2Pe 3:11, 2Pe 3:14; 2Jn 1:8; Jude 1:20, Jude 1:21.
lest any. Luke 22:32; 1Co 13:8; Gal 5:4.
stop reaching. Gal 5:4.
some root of bitterness. Hebrews 3:12; Deu 29:18; Deu 32:32; Isaiah 5:4, Isaiah 5:7; Jer 2:21; Matt 7:16-18.
hinder you, or cause difficulties. Josh 6:18; Josh 7:25, Josh 7:26; Josh 22:17-20; Eph 5:3; Col 3:5.
many are contaminated. Exo 32:21; 1Ki 14:16; Ac 20:30, Ac 20:31; 1Co 5:6; 1Co 15:33; Gal 2:13; 2Ti 2:16, 2Ti 2:17; 2Pe 2:1, 2Pe 2:2, 2Pe 2:18.
Source: The Treasury of Biblical Knowledge
Believers who follow peace and holiness (v. Hebrews 12:14) should beware of three dangers:
(1) not achieve grace of God, that is, rejecting Christ’s gracious offer of salvation and His provision for their needs (Hebrews 4:16);
(2) allow some root of bitterness grow in their assemblies, perhaps referring to allowing idol worshipers to remain in the church (Deu 29:18); Y
(3) become sexually immoral or profane. Under the Law, the eldest son was to receive double the inheritance (Deu 21:17). Esau lost his inheritance, which included God’s gracious promises, by despising them and valuing more the pleasure of food (Gen 25:34).
Source: New Illustrated Caribbean Bible Commentary
ROOT OF BITTERNESS. This “root of bitterness” metaphorically describes the spirit and attitude characterized by intense hatred and resentment. Here it could refer to the bitterness that arises as a result of God’s discipline rather than humble submission to His will for the believer’s life. Bitterness may be aimed at certain people in the church. Sooner or later bitterness corrupts a person and makes him unable to approach God in prayer. Bitterness in the community of believers can spread and corrupt many, thus destroying the holiness without which “no one shall see the Lord” (v. Hebrews 12:14).
Source: Full Life Study Bible
take a good look Believers must watch over their own lives to bear witness to peace and holiness, as well as to help and care for those who are in their midst and are in need of salvation. stop reaching the grace of God. See notes on Hebrews 4:1 ; Hebrews 6:6 ; Hebrews 10:26. This means arriving too late and being left out. Here again it alludes to the Jews who were in the assembly of believers and who had intellectual conviction, who knew the gospel and were even enthusiastic about Christ but were still at the foot of the abyss of apostasy. root of bitterness This is the attitude of apostates who become corrupting influences within the church. cop. Deu 29:18.
Source: MacArthur Study Bible
12:15 — “Take heed lest anyone fall short of the grace of God.” Compare 4:1. Reaching God’s grace is obtaining what his grace offers; that is, eternal life. As pilgrims, marching on the Path of Holiness (Isa 35:8), all must see that no one is weak and discouraged, or an apostate, who falls aside and thus fails to reach the end of the march.
–“that sprouting some root of bitterness”. See Deu 29:14-21 (where he refers to leaving the faith of God for idolatry). Here in Heb 12:1-29 it is applied to one who bitterly opposes the faith of the gospel, by word or impurity of life, and works to lead others away from the faith. Such a man can hinder a whole congregation of people (1Co 5:6). We have to exercise supervision (“Look,” from the Greek word episkopeo, as in 1Pe 5:2, “taking care of her”) in this matter.
–“It hinders you, and by it many are contaminated”. Compare Josh 6:18; Josh 7:25-26.
Source: Reeves-Partain Notes
Hebrews 6:8; Deu 29:18.
Source: Hispano-American Interdenominational Translation
Ps 34:14; Romans 12:8.
Source: Hispano-American Interdenominational Translation
CROSS-REFERENCES
h638 2Co 6:1; Gal 5:4; Hebrews 3:12
i 639 Deu 29:18; Joh 13:2; Ac 8:23
j 640 Jas 1:14
Source: New World Translation
fifteen (1) The grace of God came to us through Christ ( Jua_1:14 , Jua_1:17). So, it is also the grace of Christ (2Co_13:14; 12:9). In our experience, this grace is Christ himself (Gal_6:18, cf. 2Ti_4:22). When we fall from grace, we are reduced. to nothing, separated from Christ (Gal_5:4). Regarding this matter, Paul warned the Galatian churches, which were in the same danger as the Hebrew believers, not to separate themselves from Christ by returning to the law of the Jewish religion, lest they fall from the grace of God. which is Christ himself. We must not fall from grace, but have grace (v.28), be established by it (13:9), and stand firm in it (Rom_5:2). Both Galatians and Hebrews conclude with the blessing of grace (Gal_6:18; Heb_13:25).
fifteen (two) As the context implies, the root of bitterness must refer to any Judaizer who would turn the Hebrew believers away from God’s grace and return them to the rites of Judaism, which would desecrate them in God’s eyes and destroy them. would make reject the holiness of God.
Source: New Testament Commentary Recovery Version
root of bitterness… → Deu 29:18.
Source: Textual Bible IV Edition
MT178 In this verse a prevention clause is introduced by means of the word μή, after which comes the participle ἐπισκοποῦντες: behold…
Source: Grammar Help for the Study of the Greek New Testament
g Deu 29:18.