Hardening Of Heart
Hardening Of Heart
HARDENING OF HEART.(a) The relation in Scripture between the blood and the life (Lev 17:11) is such that the heart is naturally the typical centre of personal life (cf. Westcott on Heb 4:12 and 1Jn 1:7 Add. Notes); the seat of understanding (1Ki 3:9; 1Ki 3:12), affection (Deu 6:5), will (Jer 5:23), character (1Ki 9:4, Eze 11:21); the fountain at which all issues (Pro 4:23) may receive a Divine direction, (b) It is described as tender (2Ki 22:18 f.), hard (Exo 8:19), of flesh or of stone (Eze 11:19 ff.), not in the popular sense of merciful or cruel, but according to its receptivity (or otherwise) of Divine impressions. Of the Greek words employed to express such hardness the two more remarkable (see below) represent the heart as callous (i.e. ossified) or fat. (c) An important distinction is to be made between two expressions:(i.) Hardness of heart. To a certain extent this is an unavoidable infirmity of mans natural condition. As such, it is the object of Divine condescension, which (as Christ directly asserts) is the explanation of much OT legislation (Mat 19:8 ||). It is referred to in the Gospels as (1) , Mat 19:8 || Mar 10:5 [Mar 16:14]; as (2) . , Mar 6:52; Mar 8:17. (ii.) Hardening of heart. This is a voluntary process: the object therefore of Divine condemnation (cf. Mat 11:20 ff; Mat 13:15; Mat 23:37 ff., Rom 2:5). Its active nature, as distinguished from passive infirmity, is indicated by the form , Mar 3:5 (cf. Rom 11:25, Eph 4:18), in contrast to the pf. pt. pass. Mar 6:52; Mar 8:17. (d) Hardening is represented, alternatively with conversion, as a direct consequence of contact with grace and the gospel (Mat 13:15, Joh 3:19 f., Joh 9:39; cf. 2Co 5:10). The origin of the process is variously stated, according to the side from which it is viewed. Thus(1) The heart is hardened, as though by the action of a mechanical law: Mat 13:15 = Isa 6:10 LXX Septuagint (cf. Act 19:9, Rom 11:7; Rom 11:25, 2Co 3:14). (2) Man hardens his heart. This aspect, though necessarily involved in mans responsibility and often stated in the OT (Exo 9:34, 1Sa 6:8, 2Ch 36:13), is not expressly referred to in the NT, except in Heb 3:8 = Psa 95:8. (3) God hardens it: Joh 12:40 = a paraphrase of Isa 6:10; see Westcott, ad loc., and cf. Rom 9:18. This is often known as judicial hardening: it is the inexorable law of moral consequence (Westcott on Heb 3:8). It comes to pass that he who will not turn at last cannot. And God, who established that law of mans nature, is said in Scripture to do that which occurs under it or results from it (Vaughan on Rom 9:18). (e) In the OT the typical case is that of Pharaoh; in which all three statements are remarkably exemplified (Exo 7:14; Exo 8:15; Exo 9:12). Bunyans Man in the iron cage is a powerful picture of hardening in its final stage: at the same time, the man who is past repentance is usually past feeling (Eph 4:18 f.).
F. S. Ranken.