Hebrews 12:2

Heb. 12:2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of (our) faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God.

Blank Bible:

vs 2. Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith etc.] The apostle having mentioned a great number of eminent examples of faith from the beginning of the world down to Christ at last comes to him who is the author and finisher of faith of that faith which those Old Testament saints had given such eminent examples of in in the preceding verse. The apostle recommends perseverance as the fruit of faith being the author of faith respects the giving of faith at conversion being the finisher of Faith respects the upholding Faith unto final perseverance for believers are kept by the power of God through Faith unto Salvation. This perseverance of Faith the apostle had been recommending in the End of the 10 Chapter and to enforce his exhortation brought in those examples that cloud of witnesses in the 11 chapter spoken of in the foregoing verse. The words in the original translated author and finisher are ??????? and te?e??t??. The first word is from a??? the beginning and the latter from te??? the end. Christ is the beginner and finisher the author and end of our faith. He is the finisher or consummator of our Faith not only as the completor (?) effect but as the object and end that terminates our faith and in whom it is compleated in what it seeks and aims at.

Here, too, Edwards planned a sermon which plan he was able to execute. From Sermon Notebook I, 35 we learn he purposed

To preach concerning Christ's being the author and finisher of Faith, p. 50 cf. Miscel. concerning doubts vid. p. 42. By inward working of corruption. pp. 42-46 (doubts). He would (?) foundation. Gives means of faith and faith itself. Prays it may not fail. Upholds. Gives virtuous exercises. Increases (?) Adversaries.

The sermon was preached October 1734, with the "doctrine": "We that live under the gospel are called upon to look unto Jesus." We are to "… take notice of Christ's excellence which is a… feast" for the mind. "Temporal things have no… glory by comparison," they are "futile." Not only looking at Christ but resting on him in faith is the ticket.

In fact, Edwards preached two sermons on Hebrews 12:2, the second being on verses Hebrews 12:2-3: "The redeeming love of Christ held out under great difficulties and discouragements." Here Edwards, developing the love of Christ which he had for sinners that brought him into the world, traces the steps of that steadfast love.

Heb. 12:3-7