ROOT OF BITTERNESS
Hebrews 12:15
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
(1) Looking diligently = Strong's Greek Number 1983
Greek word: episkopeo ep-ee-skop-eh'-o
KJV - look diligently 1 - take the oversight 1
[Total Count: 2]
1) to look upon, inspect, oversee, look after, care for
1a) of the care of the church which rested upon the elders
1b) to look carefully, beware
(Vine’s) = lit., "to look upon" (epi, and No. 12), is rendered "looking carefully" in Heb. 12:15, RV (AV, "looking diligently"), epi being probably intensive here; in 1Pet. 5:2, "to exercise the oversight, to visit, care for."
(2) Heb 12:15 (Living)
Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God's best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.
(3) Hebrews 12:14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
(4) When we have peace each other we look after each other
(5) If we are bitter we try to hurt each other
(6) Like a small root that grows into a great tree, bitterness springs up in our hearts and overshadows even our deepest Christian relationships. A "bitter root" comes when we allow disappointment to grow into resentment, or when we nurse grudges over past hurts. Bitterness brings with it jealousy, dissension, and immorality. When the Holy Spirit fills us, however, he can heal the hurt that causes bitterness.
ROOT
(1) Roots can be good or evil
(2) Roots of bitterness is an evil root
(3) Matthew 3:10
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(4) Mark 4:17
And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
(5) We need good roots so that we can endue
(6) Romans 11:16
For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
(7) Rev. 5:5
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
(8) 1 Tim. 6:10
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
(9) Evil roots have to be put to death at the roots
(10) Russell’s toenail, had to kill the root
BITTERNESS
(1) Bitterness = Strong's Greek Number 4088
Greek word: pikria pik-ree'-ah
Usage Notes: KJV - bitterness 4 [Total Count: 4]
1) bitter gall
1a) extreme wickedness
1b) a bitter root, and so producing a bitter fruit
1c) metaph. bitterness, bitter hatred
(Vine’s) = a root of "bitterness," producing "bitter" fruit.
(2) Hebrews 12:15
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
(3) Here is one who comes short, who fails because deep within him is a root of bitterness that poisons everything and everyone— thereby many be defiled.
(4) This root of bitterness is like an infection that spreads through the whole community of believers.
(5) Notice, this describes a breakdown in human relations among believers because one believer has become bitter.
(6) The words “springing up” pictures the springing up in progress. The root is gradually revealing its character.
ROOTS OF BITTERNESS
SPRINGING UP
(1) Cain
Genesis 4:1-10
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
[2] And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
[3] And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. [4] And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
[5] But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
[6] And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
[7] If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
[8] And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
[9] And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
[10] And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
(2) Esau
(a) Genesis 25:29-34
And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:
[30] And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.
[31] And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
[32] And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?
[33] And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.
[34] Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
(b) Genesis 27:30-34
And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
[31] And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me. [32] And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau.
[33] And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.
[34] And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.
(c) Genesis 27:41-42
And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
[42] And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee.
(3) Saul
1 Samuel 18:8-9
And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?
[9] And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
