Hebrews 6:12

Hebrews 6:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
• New International Version (NIV)We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
• English Standard Version (ESV)so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
• New King James Version (NKJV)that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Context of Hebrews 6:12

10For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name, in having served and continuing to serve the saints. 11But we passionately want each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of your hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and perseverance inherit the promises. 13Now when God made his promise to Abraham, since he could swear by no one greater, he swore by himself, 14saying, “Surely I will bless you greatly and multiply your descendants abundantly.”

Hebrews 6:12 word by word

ἵνα μὴ νωθροὶ γένησθε, μιμηταὶ δὲ τῶν διὰ πίστεως καὶ μακροθυμίας κληρονομούντων τὰς ἐπαγγελίας.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• ye beγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• notμήmē · notG3361
• slothfulνωθρόςnōthros · dullG3576
• butδέde · thenG1161
• followersμιμητήςmimētēs · imitatorG3402
• of them whoκληρονομέωklēronomeō · to inheritG2816
• throughδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• faithπίστιςpistis · faithG4102
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• patienceμακροθυμίαmakrothumia · patienceG3115
• the promisesὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the promisesἐπαγγελίαepaggelia · promiseG1860

Cross-references for Hebrews 6:12

• Hebrews 5:11On this topic we have much to say and it is difficult to explain, since you have become sluggish in hearing.
• Proverbs 12:24The diligent person will rule, but the slothful will become a slave.
• Proverbs 13:4The appetite of the sluggard craves but gets nothing, but the desire of the diligent will be abundantly satisfied.
• Proverbs 15:19The way of the sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is like a highway.
• Proverbs 18:9The one who is slack in his work is a brother to one who destroys.
• Proverbs 24:30I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of one who lacks wisdom.
• Matthew 25:26But his master answered, ‘Evil and lazy slave! So you knew that I harvest where I didn’t sow and gather where I didn’t scatter?
• Romans 12:11Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord.
• 2 Peter 1:10Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to be sure of your calling and election. For by doing this you will never stumble into sin.
• Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us,
• Hebrews 13:7Remember your leaders, who spoke God’s message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith.
• Jeremiah 6:16The Lord said to his people: “You are standing at the crossroads. So consider your path. Ask where the old, reliable paths are. Ask where the path is that leads to blessing and follow it. If you do, you will find rest for your souls.” But they said, “We will not follow it!”
• Romans 4:12And he is also the father of the circumcised, who are not only circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham possessed when he was still uncircumcised.
• James 5:10As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name.
• 1 Peter 3:5For in the same way the holy women who hoped in God long ago adorned themselves by being subject to their husbands,
• Hebrews 6:15And so by persevering, Abraham inherited the promise.

Commentaries on Hebrews 6:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12That ye be not slothful - This shows how the full assurance of hope is to be regulated and maintained. They must be diligent; slothfulness will deprive them both of hope and faith. That faith which worketh by love will maintain hope in its full and due exercise. Followers of them - - · That ye be mimics or imitators of them who are inheriting the promises. And they inherited these promises by faith in him who is invisible, and who, they knew, could not…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12That ye be not slothful - Indolent; inactive. This was what he was especially desirous of guarding them against. By diligent and strenuous effort only could they secure themselves from the danger of apostasy. But followers - Imitators - that you may live as they lived. Of them who through faith and patience - By faith, or confidence in God, and by patience in suffering - referring to those who in times of trial had remained faithful to God, and had been…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-20Verses 11-20 The hope here meant, is a sure looking for good things promised, through those promises, with love, desire, and valuing of them. Hope has its degrees, as faith also. The promise of blessedness God has made to believers, is from God's eternal purpose, settled between the eternal Father, Son, and Spirit. These promises of God may safely be depended upon; for here we have two things which cannot change, the counsel and the oath of God, in which…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12A strong commitment (Hebrews 6:10–11) helps prevent spiritual dullness (5:11–12). By loving God and others, we follow the example of great faith leaders. The author stresses that faith and endurance are essential for God's people (see 11:4–38).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. be not--Greek, "become not." In He 5:11, he said, "Ye have become dull (Greek, 'slothful') of hearing"; here he warns them not to become "slothful absolutely," namely, also in mind and deed. He will not become slothful who keeps always the end in view; hope is the means of ensuring this. followers--Greek, "imitators"; so in Ep 5:1, Greek; 1Co 11:1. patience--Greek, "long-suffering endurance." There is the long-suffering patience, or endurance of love…Read the comment

Topics related to Hebrews 6:12

• Blessing
• Commandments
• Diligence
• Faith
• Patience
• Perseverance
• Slothfulness

In the dictionaries

• Afresh
• Anchor
• Counsel
• Crucify
• Enlighten
• Immutable
• Nigh
• Persuade
• Refuge
• Taste

Commentaries on Hebrews 6

• 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