Hebrews 12:15-17
What is written? (ESV)
See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal. For you know that afterward, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.
What does it say?
Make sure that no one fails to obtain the grace of God. Take care not to let bitterness grows to make you defiled, or that you become sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who was shortsighted in selling his birthright for a meal, since later, when he was sorrowful when realized his mistake, he was rejected and found no more opportunity to repent.
What is its immediate context?
The writer’s summation (chapters 12-13) of a letter dedicated to encouraging Christians to “hold fast” to their faith and “run with endurance the race” that is before them (vs 1). He implores them to strive for holiness since “without which no one will see the Lord” (vs 14) and concludes with two examples from the Old Testament. The first reference is the “root of bitterness” which comes from Deut 29:18-19 where the children of Israel are being warned about hearing God’s word but pridefully saying to themselves, “I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.” The second example is Esau and him selling his birthright to his brother Jacob for a pot of stew (Gen 25) and later regretting it when his blessing from Issac was irredeemable (Gen 27).
How Hebrews 12:15-17 is applied across Bible answers
Can one fall from grace?
The writer is addressing Hebrews who have accepted Jesus, yet warns against any failing "to obtain the grace of God" due to becoming "defiled" by sin. Hence, they could fall from grace.
Can our free moral agency be lost?
Esau found himself with "no chance to repent", even though there was a point at which he wished he could have changed things.
Can repentance become impossible (Hebrews 6:4-6)?
Speaking to Christians, the writer warns of failing "to obtain the grace of God" by either (a) trusting in oneself (e.g. pride), or (b) in the case of Esau, being "unholy" or "profane" (KJV) or "godless" (NASB). In the end, Esau lost his chance to repent.
Is God’s grace irresistible?
The very real possibility of failing "to obtain the grace of God" is the point of the entire chapter, indeed the entire book.
