Post 69 of Study: Hebrews 12:12-13

This begins a section of short exhortations; this shifts to a style of writing that seems much more like Paul the Apostle’s, especially since he mentions Timothy in the very end; however, Timothy was from Ephesus, where John lived. The very fact that they added these little greetings says so much.

¹² Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, ¹³ and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

I looked at some other translations for this one, because to be honest I don't understand them. They remind me of verses in the prophets, and perhaps that is what is being invoked. They follow a passage on chastisement, which is probably the key. "Buck up" seems to be an anemic way to put it, but that might not be that far from the idea. If you are discouraged, and worse, letting the discouragement defeat you (I confess, a regular but short-lived occurrence for me, especially lately) this is a visualization of what you are going through: hanging hands, feeble knees. 

The Hebrews readers had reasons to be discouraged. "Make straight paths for your feet" may mean, at least to me, to have a plan. Do not let things happen to you; make the things happen. There is use of the athletic imagery here, too, as in the opening of the chapter. Stay on the track, rather than getting off the track; "let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

These are admonitions to hope, really, not to “work harder” or “take it on yourself.”