Hebrews 12:29

Many have produced lengthy discussions of God and God's essence. Some have even said that God has a bodily nature that is composed of fine particles and is like ether. Others have said that God is incorporeal and is of a different essence that transcends bodies in dignity and power. For this reason it is worthwhile for us to see if we have resources from the divine Scriptures to say something about God's essence. In John 4:24 it is stated as if God's essence were spirit, for it says, "God is spirit." But in the law, it is instead as if God's essence were fire, for it is written, "Our God is a consuming fire." In John, however, it is stated as if God were light, for John says, "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." If, then, we should listen to these words literally, making no inquiry beyond the letter, we would have to say that God is a body.… But because we do not see the consequences if we attribute a body to God when we say, even on the basis of Scripture, that God is some such body as spirit, or consuming fire, or light, unless we accept the conclusions that necessarily follow these assertions, we will disgrace ourselves as foolish and contradicting the obvious. For every fire is subject to extinction because it needs fuel; and every spirit, even if we take the spirit to be simple, because it is a body, admits of change to what is coarser in its own nature. In these matters, then, we must either accept so many absurd and blasphemous things about God in preserving the literal meanings, or, as we also do in many other cases, examine and inquire what can be meant when it is said that God is spirit or fire or light. […]

"For our God is a consuming fire." These things, he means, are terrible; and so terrible that they could not even bear to hear them, that not even "a beast" dared to go up. But things that come hereafter are not such. For what is Sinai to Heaven? And what the "fire which might be touched" to God who cannot be touched? For "God is a consuming fire."

In another place he says the same, "for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor. iv. 18); and from this makes an exhortation with regard to the evils which we endure in this present life; and here he does this, and says, let us continue steadfast; "let us have thankfulness," i.e., let us give thanks unto God. For not only we ought not to be discouraged at present things, but even to show the greatest gratitude to Him, for those to come. "Whereby we serve God acceptably," that is to say, "for thus is it possible to serve God acceptably," by giving him thanks in all things. "Do all things" (he says) "without murmurings and disputings." (Phil. ii. 14.) For whatever work a man does with murmuring, he cuts away and loses his reward; as the Israelites - how great a penalty they paid for their murmurings. Wherefore he says, "Neither murmur ye." (1 Cor. x. 10.) It is not therefore possible to "serve" Him "acceptably" without a sense of gratitude to Him for all things, both for our trials, and the alleviations of them. That is, let us utter nothing hasty, nothing disrespectful, but let us humble ourselves that we may be reverential. For this is "with reverence and godly fear."

"Therefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken." If creation is unshakable, much more the kingdom of heaven, which you are about to receive as a reward for the sufferings here for Christ. Since the sufferings are the cause of the kingdom, let us give …

725. – That we should serve God in that manner he proves by the authority of Deuteronomy (4:24): For our God is a consuming fire. When God is said to be a fire, it does not mean that He is something corporeal, but it is …

For the Spirit, coeternal with the Father and Son, is shown in fire because God is incorporeal, ineffable, and invisible fire, as Paul attests: "Our God is a consuming fire." God is indeed called fire because through Him the rust of sins is consumed.

Having shown, on the one hand, that the Old Testament events inspire fear, and on the other, that in the New Testament there is nothing of the sort, he, lest they treat the gentleness with contempt, says: let us offer gratitude to God with reverence …

For our God is a consuming fire. Either God personally considered, God in the person of Christ; so the Shechinah, with the Jews, is called a consuming fire (n).

For our God is a consuming fire - This is a further reason why we should serve God with profound reverence and unwavering fidelity. The quotation is made from Deu 4:24. “For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.” The object of the apostle here seems to be, to show that there was the same reason for fearing the displeasure of God under the new dispensation which there was under the old. It was the same God who was served. There had been no change in his attributes, or in the principles of his government.

Greek, "For even": "for also"; introducing an additional solemn incentive to diligence. Quoted from De 4:24. our God--in whom we hope, is also to be feared. He is love (1Jo 4:8, 16); yet there is another side of His character;

As a congregation you have of late been diligently engaged in the service of God by endeavoring to provide a home for fatherless children. I have been astonished and delighted at the liberality which has been shown by all sorts of persons in this good and gracious work. I felt, sometimes, like the king of old, who said, "Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort?"

As a congregation you have of late been diligently engaged in the service of God by endeavoring to provide a home for fatherless children. I have been astonished and delighted at the liberality which has been shown by all sorts of persons in this good and gracious work. I felt, sometimes, like the king of old, who said, "Who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort?" I am sure you have well earned all the commendation that your fellow Christians can give to you, for the work has been so well and so heartily done that we all rejoice together! But, now that it is all over, careful thoughts arise in my mind. It is but a small thing that you and I should be accepted of one another—the great matter is that we should be accepted of the Lord. I, who am but as the doorkeeper of my Master's house, not only approve, but abundantly commend my fellow servants, but what of that? The great point is that the King, Himself, should say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." We do but see the fair externals of things, but the great Father of Spirits searches the hearts and tries the reins of the children of men—and judges after a higher standard. Therefore, with holy anxiety have I looked at this text and turned it over, hoping that the Holy Spirit may cause each one who has engaged in our benevolent work to examine himself and to judge his part in this labor of love, that he may amend any fault which may hinder his work from being a sacrifice of sweet savor unto the Most High.

For our God is a consuming fire - The apostle quotes Deu 4:24, and by doing so he teaches us this great truth, that sin under the Gospel is as abominable in God’s sight as it was under the law; and that the man who does not labor to serve God with the principle and in the way already prescribed, will find that fire to consume him which would otherwise have consumed his sin.