Root of Bitterness/Dr. Pat Holliday/Dr Sabrina Sessions/Marshall Perot

Hebrews 12:15, refers to a “root of bitterness” which, if it springs up, will “trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”

The author of the book of Hebrews uses a “bitter root” as a metaphor for that which would bring harm to the church.

There is a verse in the Pentateuch that closely mirrors the wording in Hebrews. In Deuteronomy 29, Moses reviews the covenant between God and Israel. In this context, he says, “Make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison” (Deuteronomy 29:18). This particular “bitter poison” is idolatry in defiance of the covenant. Throughout the Old Testament, the Hebrew word translated “bitter poison” refers either to the unfaithful (Deuteronomy 29:18;Amos 6:12) or to their punishment (Jeremiah 8:14;9:15;23:15).

 “I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin” Acts 8:23. Simon’s wickedness was his desire to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, essentially treating God as a commodity to enhance his own career as a magician.

The “bitter root” refers to a source of evil or wickedness within the church.