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. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. 11Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. 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. 13For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: 14“I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”

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 5:11There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen.
• Proverbs 12:24Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.
• Proverbs 13:4Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.
• Proverbs 15:19A lazy person’s way is blocked with briers, but the path of the upright is an open highway.
• Proverbs 18:9A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.
• Proverbs 24:30I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one with no common sense.
• Matthew 25:26“But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate,
• Romans 12:11Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
• 2 Peter 1:10So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away.
• Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
• Hebrews 13:7Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.
• Jeremiah 6:16This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’
• Romans 4:12And Abraham is also the spiritual father of those who have been circumcised, but only if they have the same kind of faith Abraham had before he was circumcised.
• James 5:10For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
• 1 Peter 3:5This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands.
• Hebrews 6:15Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.

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