12

The “follow peace with all men” is an exhortation Paul also gives us in Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Although it is also an exhortation here and part of what the believer is called to follow, the phrase “without which no man shall see the Lord” is not referring back to “peace with all men” grammatically. In Greek and English, “which” (singular) points back to “holiness” (not the plural “peace and holiness”). Therefore, although we are commanded to be at peace with all men, it is only holiness that is required to see the Lord.

1. Although all men including non-believers will technically “see” the Lord as Philippians 2:10–11, Revelation 1:7 and Matthew 7:23 say, we see here that a specific type of man, one that is not holy, actually can’t see the Lord. Therefore, we can conclude that the “see the Lord” here is referencing an eternal union where we dwell with Him. It is paralleled in Matthew 5:8, Revelation 22:4 and John 17:24 which all speak of seeing God being reserved for believers.

So how do we become holy so that we get to “see the Lord” or dwell with God? Jesus came, died and rose again living a holy life. When we believe upon Him, we receive all of this imputed upon our lives. We are sanctified in Jesus, which means to make holy:

1. 1 Corinthians 1:30 “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”

2. 1 Corinthians 6:23 “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

3. Hebrews 10:10 “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

4. Hebrews 10:14 “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”

5. Hebrews 13:12 “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.”

In context here in chapter 12, a few verses above we see “holiness” mentioned. We read that if we are God’s child He will discipline us so that we partake of his holiness, verse 10 says “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.”

Why does He chastise us? First we see He loves us (verse 6) but also in verse 2 we see Jesus is the “author and finisher of our faith”. This good work in us God will carry out until we meet Him. Philippians 1:6 says “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”. This verse reassures believers that God Himself not only gives us holiness positionally but He is the one who works daily life holiness transformation, and He will finish it, not abandon it halfway.

In conclusion, this verse should not cause fear for the Christian. Salvation through the blood of Jesus is the only way anyone can attain holiness positionally that is, their standing before God. We cannot earn this by our own efforts (Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:8–9; Philippians 3:9; Isaiah 64:6). The author of Hebrews is urging believers to actively “follow” peace and holiness not to earn salvation, but because, as children of God, we are now called to live like it. While God is the one who produces holiness in us practically, we are called to cooperate with His work.

So who is the one “without which” who will not see the Lord? There, the author includes an important caveat referring to the unbeliever. Unless they come to faith in Christ, they remain without positional holiness and cannot dwell with God. In contrast, believers have already been made holy forever through Christ’s sacrifice, even though they may not always walk in holiness practically. Nevertheless, Scripture consistently calls us to live in a way that reflects the holiness we already possess in Christ. This call to active sanctification runs throughout the New Testament. For example:

1. Colossians 3:5-6 says “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:”

   1. God’s wrath comes upon nonbelievers (children of disobedience) for these things (not us, see: Romans 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 1:10;5:9), therefore as Christians we should not partake in something God hates but instead now walk worthy (Colossians 1:10) not out of fear of wrath, but in reverence for our loving Father who disciplines His children (Hebrews 12:6) and and made such a great sacrifice for us so that we would no longer live for ourselves, but for Him who died and rose again for us (2 Corinthians 5:14–15).

2. We are positionally secure in God but we have a choice to now direct our affection: Colossians 3:2-3 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

3. Again as 1 Peter 1:14-18 says, notice we are positionally called children and redeemed but still called to walk in holiness practically in our new life “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16. Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;”

Additional interpretation:

We know that it is not of our works or holiness that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:9). One interpretation some have given of this verse is that if we don’t walk in peace and holiness than “no man” will be able to see the Lord in us. This can be true and is a great reminder to follow but contextually probably not the best interpretation.

Again the author is warning people, don’t reject God’s grace. The free gift in Jesus is God’s grace, to “fail” of this grace is to reject it.

Esau returned from hunting exhausted and hungry. Driven by fleshly desire, he made a rash decision and traded the free gift of his “birthright” to his brother, rejecting what was rightfully his.

The author is issuing a serious warning, urging people to wake up before it’s too late just as he did earlier with the example of the Israelites in chapters 3 and 4. Many reject Jesus and the free gift of salvation because they want to live life on their own terms (John 3:20), believing they don’t need a Savior. But one day, after this life ends, it will be too late. Like the rich man in Luke 16:19–31, they will find themselves in torment, fully aware of their mistake. They may even seek repentance with tears, but like Esau, they will find “no place” for it.