Hebrews 3:12

{7} Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (7) Now consider in the words of David, he shows first by this word today that we must not ignore the opportunity while we have it: for that word is not to be limited to David's time, but it encompasses all the time in which God calls us.

Note how the following exhortation is colored by the O.T. citation: evil heart; the to-day; be hardened; take heed (βλέπετε). See to it. Often in warnings or admonitions: sometimes with ἀπὸ from, with genitive of that against which the warning is given, as Mark 8:15 ; Mark 12:38 ; but so only in the Gospels. In construction connect with διὸ Hebrews 3:7 ; therefore beware. Lest there be (μήποτε ἔσται) The indicative with μὴ lest shows that with the fear that the event may occur, there is blended a suspicion that it will occur. In any of you (ἔν τινι ὑμῶν) They are appealed to individually. An evil head of unbelief (καρδία πονηρὰ ἀπιστίας) The whole phrase N.T.o. Neither do the combinations evil heart or heart of unbelief occur elsewhere. In lxx, among nearly a thousand instances of καρδία heart, καρδία πονηρὰ evil heart appears only five times, and in three of the five in apocryphal books. See Sir. 9:1; Bar. 1:22; 2:8. In lxx proper, Jeremiah 16:12; Jeremiah 18:12. Ἀπιστίας of unbelief, specifies that in which the more general πονηρὰ evil consists. An evil heart is an unbelieving heart. In departing from the living God (ἐν τῷ ἀποστῆναι ἀπὸ θεοῦ ζῶντος) The characteristic of unbelief. Faith is personal union with God. Unbelief separates from God. The phrase living God is common to both Testaments. For the bearing of the words upon the question of the Gentile destination of the Epistle, see Introduction.

Hebrews 3:12-13 . Take heed — Βλεπετε , see to it, consider, use care and circumspection; brethren, lest — Μηποτε , lest at any time; there be in any of you — As there was in your forefathers of old; he speaks to them collectively, to take care that none might be found among them with such a heart as he guards them against, and consequently his caution concerned every individual of them; an evil heart of unbelief — Unbelief is the parent of all evil, and the very essence of it lies in departing frown God, as the living God — The fountain of all our life, holiness, and happiness. For as faith draws near to him in the consideration and knowledge of him, in beholding his glory, in desire after him, gratitude to him, and delight in him; continually aspiring after a conformity to him, and longing to enjoy union and communion with him; so unbelief produces directly contrary effects, rendering the mind averse to approach God in these respects and for these purposes, disliking and shunning all intercourse with him. It is distinguished by some into negative and positive. Negative unbelief is wherever any believe not, or have not faith, because they have not yet had the means of believing, namely, the Scriptures, or the truths declared in them, as the heathen nations.

Such, supposing they believe and lay to heart the truths of what is called natural religion, cannot be said to have in them an evil heart of unbelief. 2d, Positive unbelief is where men believe not, though they enjoy the means of faith. This latter is here meant, and in it consist some of the highest workings of the depraved nature of man; it being, on many accounts, the greatest provocation of God that a creature can be guilty of. For it is an opposition to God in all the perfections of his nature, and in the whole revelation of his will. And therefore the gospel, which is a declaration of grace, mercy, and pardon, and which indeed condemns all sin, yet denounces final condemnation only against this sin, he that believeth not shall be damned, Mark 16:16 .

Hebrews 3:12 . Βλέπετε ἀδελφοὶ μή ποτε .… “Take heed lest haply” as in Hebrews 12:25 , Colossians 2:8 , for the more classical ὁρᾶτε μὴ . It is here followed by a future indicative as sometimes in classics. ἔν τινι ὑμῶν , the individualising, as in Hebrews 3:13 indicates the writer’s earnestness, whether, as Bleek supposes, it means that the whole Christian community of the place is to be watchful for the individual, may be doubted; although this idea is confirmed by the παρακαλεῖτε ἑαυτοὺς of Hebrews 3:13 . What they are to be on their guard against is the emergence of καρδία πονηρὰ ἀπιστίας ἐν … ζῶντος , a wicked heart of unbelief manifesting itself in departing from Him who is a living God. ἀπιστίας is the genitive of quality = a bad, unbelieving heart; whether the wickedness proceeds from the unbelief, or the unbelief from the wickedness, is not determined. Although, from the next verse it might be gathered that unbelief is considered the result of allowed sin: i.e. , it is when the heart is hardened through sin, it becomes unbelieving, so that the psychological order might be stated thus: sin, a deceived mind, a hardened heart, unbelief, apostasy. The main idea in the writer’s mind is that unbelief in God’s renewed offer of salvation is accompanied by and means apostasy from the living God. In the O.T. Jehovah is called “the living God” in contrast to lifeless impotent idols, and the designation is suggestive of His power to observe, visit, judge and succour His people.

In this Epistle it occurs, Hebrews 9:14 , Hebrews 10:31 , Hebrews 12:22 . To object that the apostasy of Jews from Christianity could not be called “apostacy from God” is to mistake. The very point the writer wishes to make is just this: Remember that to apostatize from Christ in whom you have found God, is to apostatize from God. It is one of the ominous facts of Christian experience that any falling away from high attainment sinks us much deeper than our original starting point.

Hebrews 3:12 . Βλέπετε ) This word depends on διὸ , wherefore , Hebrews 3:7 : the Apodosis here to Hebrews 3:7 [where see the note] not incorrectly also brings in the word brethren; 1 Thessalonians 3:7 . The same word is found at ch. Hebrews 12:25 . We must not trust to the heart; Jeremiah 17:9 .— μή ποτε — ἀπιστίας , lest—of unbelief ) Observe the connection. Christ is πιστὸς , faithful , Hebrews 3:2 ; therefore we ought to be πιστοὶ , faithful to Him, not unfaithful (unbelievers), as our fathers were in regard to Moses; Hebrews 3:18-19 , ch. Hebrews 4:2-3 , Hebrews 6:12 . In like manner Paul places in opposition the faithfulness of God and the faithlessness of men, Romans 3:2-3 ; 2 Timothy 2:13 .— ἔσται , lest there should be ) Care must also be extended to the future on account of the greatness of the danger. He uses the fut. indic. in preference to the pres. subj.— πονηρὰ , evil ) An ἄπιστος , unbelieving people; רע an evil nation and unhappy; comp. κακοὒς κακῶς , Matthew 21:41 .— ἐν τῷ ἀποστῆναι , in departing) The antithesis is προσερχώμεθα , let us come unto, ch. Hebrews 4:16 , and ὑποστασεώς , substance [i.e. solid confidence], presently at Hebrews 3:14 ; comp. Jeremiah 6:8 , μὴ ἀποστῇ ὴ ψυχή μου ἀπὸ σοῦ , let not my soul depart from thee. This whole passage of the apostle agrees with Jeremiah 17:5-6 : ΕΠΙΚΑΤΑΡΑΤΟΣ ὁ ἄνθρωπος , ὅς τὴν ΕΛΠΙΔΑ ἔχει ἐπʼ ἄνθρωπον — καὶ ΑΠΟ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΑΠΟΣΤΗ ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ — οὐκ ὄψεται ὄταν ἔλθῃ τὰ ΑΓΑΘΑ .