Letter to the Hebrews Volume 163

 We Believers Must Renew Our Spiritual Energy Part 1

Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; KJV

Immediately after reminding us that we have a Father in Heaven who is more loyal, more lovely, and far more loving than any earthly father is or ever can be to his children and in so being, certainly He will chasten us, chastise us, and correct us when we step away from His will for us found in His Word the Bible; the writer of Hebrews now turns to encouraging us to renew our spiritual energy or life force by being obedient children receiving all the loving care, concern, and comfort our Heavenly Father wants to give to us, rather than His chastening hand of discipline, with these first words here, "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;" (Hebrews 12:12) (KJV). The English word 'wherefore' that begins this verse is translated by the Greek word dio which means through which thing, that is, consequently: - for which cause, therefore, wherefore. The little English phrase 'lift up' is translated by the Greek word anorthoō meaning to straighten up: - lift up, make straight. The English word 'hands' use here is translated by the Greek word cheir meaning (through the idea of hollowness for grasping); the hand (figuratively [power]. The little English phrase 'hang down' is translated by the Greek word pariēmi (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning to let by or let pass, that is, relax or become lazy or slothful: - hang down. The English word 'feeble' is translated by the Greek word paraluō meaning paralyzed or enfeebled. In other words, because of the chatisement that believers endure many will be weakened and become powerless and unable to function in their Christian walk, for which cause their vitality needs to be renewed or to straighten up in their Christian walk through prayer and reading the Word of God and from the encouragement of other brothers and sisters in Christ, for because of trials many will become lazy or slothful in the Word of God and let clear truths of Scripture pass and even relax their hold on the truth of God and become susceptible to the lies and fables spewed by false teachers because the lies are easier than the truth of the Word of God, as the Apostle Paul warned brother Timothy with these words, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an Evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." (2 Timothy 4:3-5) (KJV).

Here is what Albert Barnes had to say of Hebrews 12:12, "In view of the facts which have been now stated - that afflictions are sent from God, and are evidences of his paternal watchfulness. As if from weariness and exhaustion. Renew your courage; make a new effort to bear them. The hands fall by the side when we are exhausted with toil, or worn down by disease; from which place this exhortation is taken. The knees also become enfeebled by long effort, and tremble as if their strength were gone. Courage and resolution may do much, however, to make them firm, and it is to this that the apostle exhorts those to whom he wrote. They were to make every effort to bear up under their trials. The hope of victory will do much to strengthen one almost exhausted in battle; the desire to reach home invigorates the frame of the weary traveler. So it is with the Christian. In persecution, and sickness, and bereavement, he may be ready to sink under his burdens. The hands fall, and the knees tremble, and the heart sinks within us. But confidence in God, and the hope of heaven, and the assurance that all this is for our good, will reinvigorate the enfeebled frame, and enable us to bear what we once supposed would crush us to the dust. A courageous mind braces a feeble body, and hope makes it fresh for new conflicts." Here also is what Matthew Henry had to say of Hebrews 12:12, "A burden of affliction is apt to make the Christian's hands hang down, and his knees grow feeble, to dispirit him and discourage him; but this he must strive against, and that for two reasons: - First, That he may the better run his spiritual race and course. Faith, and patience, and holy courage and resolution, will make him walk more steadily, keep a straighter path, prevent wavering and wandering. Secondly, That he may encourage and not dispirit others that are in the same way with him. There are many that are in the way to heaven who yet walk but weakly and lamely in it. Such are apt to discourage one another, and hinder one another; but it is their duty to take courage, and act by faith, and so help one another forward in the way to heaven."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…