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 Living Translation (NLT)Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

Context of Hebrews 6:12

10For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”

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 5:11of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
• Proverbs 12:24The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor.
• Proverbs 13:4The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
• Proverbs 15:19The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway.
• Proverbs 18:9He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
• Proverbs 24:30I went by the field of the lazy man, And by the vineyard of the man devoid of understanding;
• Matthew 25:26“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
• Romans 12:11not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
• 2 Peter 1:10Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
• Hebrews 12:1Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
• Hebrews 13:7Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
• Jeremiah 6:16Thus says the Lord: “Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
• Romans 4:12and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.
• James 5:10My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.
• 1 Peter 3:5For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,
• Hebrews 6:15And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained 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