Hebrews 12:9

Hebrews 12:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
• New International Version (NIV)Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!
• English Standard Version (ESV)Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?
• New King James Version (NKJV)Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?

Context of Hebrews 12:9

7Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? 8But if you are without discipline — which all receive — then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? 10For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness. 11No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12:9 word by word

εἶτα τοὺς μὲν τῆς σαρκὸς ἡμῶν πατέρας εἴχομεν παιδευτὰς καὶ ἐνετρεπόμεθα· οὐ πολὺ δὲ μᾶλλον ὑποταγησόμεθα τῷ πατρὶ τῶν πνευμάτων καὶ ζήσομεν;Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Furthermoreεἶταeita · thenG1534
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• ·μένmen · on the other handG3303
• we have hadἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• fathersπατήρpatēr · fatherG3962
• ofσάρξsarx · fleshG4561
• ourἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• which correctedπαιδευτήςpaideutēs · instructorG3810
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• we gaveἐντρέπωentrepō · to cause shameG1788
• shall weὑποτάσσωhupotassō · to subjectG5293
• notοὐou · noG3756
• muchπολύςpolus polos · muchG4183
• ratherμᾶλλονmallon · moreG3123
• of spiritsπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• liveζάωzaō · to liveG2198

Cross-references for Hebrews 12:9

• John 3:6Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit.
• Acts 2:30Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne.
• Romans 1:3concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh
• Romans 9:3For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the benefit of my brothers and sisters, my own flesh and blood.
• Hebrews 12:7Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?
• Exodus 20:12Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
• Leviticus 19:3“Each of you is to respect his mother and father. You are to keep my Sabbaths; I am the Lord your God.
• Deuteronomy 21:18“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father or mother and doesn’t listen to them even after they discipline him,
• Deuteronomy 27:16‘The one who dishonors his father or mother is cursed.’ And all the people will say, ‘Amen!’
• Proverbs 30:17As for the eye that ridicules a father and despises obedience to a mother, may ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures eat it.
• Ezekiel 22:7Father and mother are treated with contempt, and the resident alien is exploited within you. The fatherless and widow are oppressed in you.
• Ephesians 6:1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right.
• Malachi 1:6“A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of me? says the Lord of Armies to you priests, who despise my name.” Yet you ask, “How have we despised your name?”
• James 4:7Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
• 1 Peter 5:6Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you at the proper time,
• Numbers 16:22But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and said, “God, God who gives breath to all, when one man sins, will you vent your wrath on the whole community?”

Commentaries on Hebrews 12:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9We have had fathers of our flesh - The fathers of our flesh, i.e. our natural parents, were correctors; and we reverenced them, notwithstanding their corrections often arose from whim or caprice: but shall we not rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits; to him from whom we have received both body and soul; who is our Creator, Preserver, and Supporter; to whom both we and our parents owe our life and our blessings; and who corrects us only for our…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9Furthermore - As an additional consideration to induce us to receive chastisement with submission. The argument in this verse is derived from the difference in the spirit and design with which we are corrected by God and by an earthly parent. In God everything is without any intermingling of passion or any improper feeling. In an earthly parent there is often much that is the result of hasty emotion, of an irascible temper, perhaps of the mere love of…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9The author uses a comparison from lesser to greater (see study note on Hebrews 9:14). The lesser situation is the respect given to an earthly father during discipline. We should submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits in our relationship with God. We should be open to God like a good Father, trusting that he helps us grow, even through tough times.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. fathers ... which corrected us--rather as Greek, "We had the fathers of our flesh as correctors." subjection--See the punishment of insubordination, De 21:18. Father of spirits--contrasted with "the fathers of our flesh." "Generation by men is carnal, by God is spiritual" [Bengel]. As "Father of spirits," He is both the Originator, and the Providential and Gracious Sustainer, at once of animal and spiritual life. Compare "and LIVE," namely…Read the comment

Topics related to Hebrews 12:9

• Adoption
• Afflictions and Adversities
• Chastisement
• God
• Perseverance
• Resignation

In the dictionaries

• Acceptably
• Adoption
• Aside
• Birthright
• Bitterness
• Carefully
• Chastening
• Cloud
• Contradiction
• Endure

Commentaries on Hebrews 12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings