Add parallel Print Page Options

Endure your suffering[a] as discipline;[b] God is treating you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you do not experience discipline,[c] something all sons[d] have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons. Besides, we have experienced discipline from[e] our earthly fathers[f] and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life?[g]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 12:7 tn Grk “endure,” with the object (“your suffering”) understood from the context.
  2. Hebrews 12:7 tn Or “in order to become disciplined.”
  3. Hebrews 12:8 tn Grk “you are without discipline.”
  4. Hebrews 12:8 tn Grk “all”; “sons” is implied by the context.
  5. Hebrews 12:9 tn Grk “we had our earthly fathers as discipliners.”
  6. Hebrews 12:9 tn Grk “the fathers of our flesh.” In Hebrews, “flesh” is a characteristic way of speaking about outward, physical, earthly life (cf. Heb 5:7; 9:10, 13), as opposed to the inward or spiritual dimensions of life.
  7. Hebrews 12:9 tn Grk “and live.” sn Submit ourselves…to the Father of spirits and receive life. This idea is drawn from Proverbs, where the Lord’s discipline brings life, while resistance to it leads to death (cf. Prov 4:13; 6:23; 10:17; 16:17).

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children.(A) For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline(B)—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 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(C) and live!(D)

Read full chapter