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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - Hebrews 12:16 - 12:16
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fornicator - (Heb 13:4; 1Co 10:8).
or profane - Fornication is nearly akin to gluttony, Esau’s sin. He profanely cast away his spiritual privilege for the gratification of his palate. Gen 25:34 graphically portrays him. An example well fitted to strike needful horror into the Hebrews, whosoever of them, like Esau, were only sons of Isaac according to the flesh [Bengel].
for one morsel - The smallness of the inducement only aggravates the guilt of casting away eternity for such a trifle, so far is it from being a claim for mercy (compare Gen 3:6). One single act has often the greatest power either for good or for evil. So in the cases of Reuben and Saul, for evil (Gen 49:4; 1Ch 5:1; 1Sa 13:12-14); and, on the other hand, for good, Abraham and Phinehas (Gen 12:1, etc.; Gen 15:5, Gen 15:6; Num 25:6-15).
his birthright - Greek, “his own (so the oldest manuscripts read, intensifying the suicidal folly and sin of the act) rights of primogeniture,” involving the high spiritual privilege of being ancestor of the promised seed, and heir of the promises in Him. The Hebrews whom Paul addressed, had, as Christians, the spiritual rights of primogeniture (compare Heb 12:23): he intimates that they must exercise holy self-control, if they wish not, like Esau, to forfeit them.