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

7As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 10For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

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 3:6Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.
• Acts 2:30But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne.
• Romans 1:3The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line,
• Romans 9:3for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.
• Hebrews 12:7As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?
• Exodus 20:12“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
• Leviticus 19:3“Each of you must show great respect for your mother and father, and you must always observe my Sabbath days of rest. I am the Lord your God.
• Deuteronomy 21:18“Suppose a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey his father or mother, even though they discipline him.
• Deuteronomy 27:16‘Cursed is anyone who dishonors father or mother.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.’
• Proverbs 30:17The eye that mocks a father and despises a mother’s instructions will be plucked out by ravens of the valley and eaten by vultures.
• Ezekiel 22:7Fathers and mothers are treated with contempt. Foreigners are forced to pay for protection. Orphans and widows are wronged and oppressed among you.
• Ephesians 6:1Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.
• Malachi 1:6The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name! “But you ask, ‘How have we ever shown contempt for your name?’
• James 4:7So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
• 1 Peter 5:6So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
• Numbers 16:22But Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground. “O God,” they pleaded, “you are the God who gives breath to all creatures. Must you be angry with all the people when only one man sins?”

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