“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
Hebrews 12:1–3 (KJV)
It seems a common occurrence that, every once in a while, diligent Bible students will find themselves taking a second look at a familiar text and suddenly realizing that, although they have heard and read it many times, they are not exactly sure what it really means.
Such was the case with me when I took a hard look at Hebrews 12:3. “For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”
You can probably guess the phrase in that text that gave me second thoughts: “contradiction of sinners … .”
Although I had never sought a scholarly definition of contradiction, I had gained a general understanding from hearing it used occasionally in conversations and from encountering it while reading. I decided that it refers to an idea or situation opposed to another. With that level of understanding, you can see why I was a bit puzzled by the use of that word in Hebrews 12:3.
In the King James Version (KJV), the word is translated as “contradiction,” but in the New King James Version (NKJV) it is translated as “hostility.” So, in the NKJV, the text reads, “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”
This reading provides more understanding of the text.
My Research
After comparing different Bible translations, my first reaction is to turn to Strong’s Concordance when confronted with a puzzling word in Scripture. Here we find that the Greek word in question is antilogia. According to Strong’s, it means “dispute or disobedience.”
Now we have a little more understanding.
Next, I turn to Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, and find the following definitions for contradiction:
- An assertion of the contrary to what has been said or affirmed; denial; contrary declaration.
- Opposition, whether by words, reproaches, or attempts to defeat.
Interestingly, the usage example provided for that second definition is the text in question:
“Consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself.” Hebrews 12:3
After looking at these resources, I turn to the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK), which provides cross-references to Scriptures that express the same or similar thoughts. In this text, there are over 30 cross-references, just from the gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John alone. And when you look those texts up in the TSK, it provides additional cross-references.
Let’s look at a couple of these cross-references found in the TSK for Hebrews 12:3.
“Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do Thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.” Matthew 15:1, 2
Here is a textbook example of “opposition by words and reproaches… .” Webster’s definition of contradiction, and an example that greatly clarifies the issue Paul described in Hebrews 12:1–3.
Mark 7:1–4 provides the following description of the same incident as a cross-reference to Matthew 15:1, 2.
“Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now, when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received to hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.”
Then, to gain a fuller understanding, I perform a word search in the Spirit of Prophecy to see how Mrs. White has used the word, thereby gaining a broader understanding of its context. Let’s look first at a passage from The Acts of the Apostles, 467.
“He whose heart is fixed to serve God will find opportunity to witness for Him. Difficulties will be powerless to hinder him who is determined to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. In the strength gained by prayer and a study of the word, he will seek virtue and forsake vice. Looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of the faith, who endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself, the believer will willingly brave contempt and derision.”
Here we see the parallel between what Christ experienced and what the traveler on the narrow way can expect. We also gain a bit broader understanding of what “contradiction of sinners” can include. Although the “contradiction” that the Christian can expect to experience is stressed in this passage, there is hope, as the passage continues.
“And help and grace sufficient for every circumstance are promised by Him whose word is truth. His everlasting arms encircle the soul that turns to Him for aid. In His care, we may rest safely, saying, ‘What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.’ Psalm 56:3. To all who put their trust in Him, God will fulfill His promise.
“By His own example, the Saviour has shown that His followers can be in the world and yet not of the world. He came not to partake of its delusive pleasures, to be swayed by its customs, and to follow its practices, but to do His Father’s will, to seek and save the lost. With this object before him, the Christian may stand uncontaminated in any surroundings. Whatever his station or circumstances, exalted or humble, he will manifest the power of true religion in the faithful performance of duty.
“Not in freedom from trial, but in the midst of it, is Christian character developed. Exposure to rebuffs and opposition [in other words, the contradiction of sinners] leads the follower of Christ to greater watchfulness and more earnest prayer to the mighty Helper. Severe trial endured by the grace of God develops patience, vigilance, fortitude, and a deep and abiding trust in God. It is the triumph of the Christian faith that it enables its followers to suffer and be strong; to submit, and thus to conquer; to be killed all the day long, and yet to live; to bear the cross, and thus to win the crown of glory.” Ibid., 467, 468
“When the Saviour finally appeared ‘in the likeness of men’ (Philippians 2:7), and began His ministry of grace, Satan could but bruise the heel, while by every act of humiliation or suffering Christ was bruising the head of His adversary. The anguish that sin has brought was poured into the bosom of the Sinless; yet while Christ endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself, He was paying the debt for sinful man and breaking the bondage in which humanity had been held. Every pang of anguish, every insult, was working out the deliverance of the race.” Prophets and Kings, 701
In this passage, we are given further insight into what was involved in Christ’s enduring the contradiction of sinners against Himself. I would suggest that just as Christ, while enduring every act of humiliation and suffering, was bruising the head of Satan, we have that same privilege as we bravely and nobly endure and deflect Satan’s fiery darts. To understand that we are bruising Satan’s head as we faithfully maintain and uphold the character of Christ despite his efforts to dissuade us from the path of truth and righteousness is actually quite uplifting and an encouraging faith-building experience.
“Heaven’s path is too narrow for rank and riches to ride in state, too narrow for the play of ambition, too steep and rugged for carriages of ease to climb. Toil, patience, self-sacrifice, reproach, poverty, hard work, enduring the contradiction of sinners against Himself, was the portion of Christ, and it must be the portion of man if he ever enters the Paradise of God.” Selected Messages, Book 2, 166
May the Lord bless and protect us as we humbly bear the contradiction of sinners against us.
John R. Pearson is the office manager and Steps to Life board member. He can be reached by email at johnpearson@stepstolife.org or by phone at 316-788-5559.