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Selected Verse: Hebrews 12:9 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Heb 12:9 |
King James |
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? |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
fathers . . . which corrected us--rather as Greek, "We had the fathers of our flesh as correctors."
subjection--See the punishment of insubordination, Deu 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, spiritually; also Heb 12:10, "that we might be partakers of His holiness" (Pe2 1:4). God is a spirit Himself, and the Creator of spirits like Himself, in contrast to men who are flesh, and the progenitors of flesh (Joh 3:6). Jesus our pattern "learned obedience" experimentally by suffering (Heb 5:8).
and live--and so, thereby live spiritually and eternally. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Furthermore - 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 power. There is much that is inflicted without due reflection, and that produces only pain in the bosom of the parent himself in the recollection. Yet with all this imperfection of parental government, we were patient and unmurmuring. How much more should we submit to one whose paternal discipline is caused by no excited feeling; by no love of power; by no want of reflection, and which never furnishes occasion for regret!
Fathers of our flesh - Earthly fathers; those from whom we have derived our being here. They are contrasted here with God, who is called "the Father of spirits," not because the father does not sustain the paternal relation to the soul as well as the body, but to designate the nature of the dominion over us. The dominion of God is what pertains to a spiritual kingdom, having more direct reference to the discipline of the soul, and being designed to prepare us for the spiritual world; that of the earthly father pertains primarily to our condition here, and the discipline is designed to subdue our unruly passions, to teach us to restrain our appetites, to inculcate maxims of health and prosperity, and to prevent those things which would impede our happiness in the present world. See, however, many curious instances of the manner in which these phrases were used by the Jewish writers, collected by Wetstein.
We gave them reverence - We submitted to them; honored them; loved them. Painful at the time as correction may have been, yet when we have fully understood the design of it, we have loved them the more. The effect of such discipline, properly administered, is to produce real veneration for a parent - for he who in a timely and appropriate manner restrains his child is the only one who will secure ultimate reverence and respect.
Shall we not much rather be in subjection - Since God's government is so much more perfect; since he has so much better right to control us; and since his administration is free from all the defects which attend parental discipline on earth, there is a much higher reason for bowing with submission and reverence to him.
The Father of spirits - Thus, in Num 16:22, God is called "the God of the spirits of all flesh;" so also Num 27:16; compare Job 33:4. The idea seems to be that, as the soul is the most important part of man, this name is given to God by way of eminence, or he is eminently and supremely our Father. It was his to create the immortal part, and to that spirit which is never to die he sustains the relation of Father. The earthly father is parent to the man as mortal; God is the Father of man as immortal. God is himself a spirit. Angels and human souls, therefore, may be represented as especially his offspring. It is the highest designation which could be given to God to say that he is at the head of the universe of mind; not implying that he is not also at the head of the material universe, but designing to bring into view this high characteristic of the Almighty, that all created minds throughout the universe sustain to him the relation of children. To this Great Being we should, therefore, more cheerfully subject ourselves than to an earthly parent.
And live - Meaning that his fatherly chastisements are adapted to secure our spiritual life. He corrects us that he may promote our final happiness, and his inflictions are the means of saving us from eternal death. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Furthermore (εἷτα)
Everywhere else in N.T. this particle marks a succession of time or incident. See Mar 4:17; Mar 8:25; Luk 8:12; Co1 15:5, Co1 15:7. Here it introduces a new phase of the subject under discussion.
Fathers of our flesh (τοὺς μὲν τῆς σαρκὸς ἡμῶν πατέρας)
Up to this point the suffering of Christians has been explained by God's fatherly relation to them. Now the emphatic point is that their fathers, with whom God is compared, were only earthly, human parents. The phrase πατέρας τῆς σαρκὸς N.T.o , but kindred expressions are found Rom 4:1, Rom 9:3; Gal 4:29; Heb 2:14.
Which corrected (παιδευτὰς)
Lit. "we have had fathers of our flesh as chasteners." Only here and Rom 2:20. In lxx, Sir. 37:19; Hos 5:2; 4 Macc. 5:34; 9:6.
Shall we not much rather be in subjection (οὐ πολὺ μάλλον ὑποταγησόμεθα)
The comparison is between the respect paid to a fallible, human parent, which may grow out of the natural relation, or may be due to fear, and the complete subjection to the divine Father.
To the Father of spirits (τῷ πατρὶ τῶν πνευμάτων)
Contrasted with fathers of the flesh. Their relation to us is limited; his is universal. They are related to us on the fleshly side; he is the creator of our essential life. Our relation to him is on the side of our eternal being. Comp. Joh 4:23, Joh 4:24; Zac 12:1; Isa 57:16. The phrase N.T.o. Comp. lxx, Num 16:22; Num 27:16; Rev 22:6. Clement of Rome styles God the benefactor (εὐεργέτης) of spirits, the creator and overseer (κτίστης, ἐπίσκοπος) of every spirit, and the Lord (δεσπότης) of spirits. Ad Corinth. lix, lxiv.
And live (καὶ ζήσομεν)
Have true life; not limited to the future life. Comp. Joh 5:26; Joh 6:57; Jo1 5:11; Rev 11:11; Act 16:28; Rom 6:11; Rom 14:8; Jo1 4:9, and see on living God, Heb 3:12. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| And we reverenced them - We neither despised nor fainted under their correction. Shall we not much rather - Submit with reverence and meekness To the Father of spirits - That we may live with him for ever. Perhaps these expressions, fathers of our flesh, and Father of spirits, intimate that our earthly fathers are only the parents of our bodies, our souls not being originally derived from them, but all created by the immediate power of God; perhaps, at the beginning of the world. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| We 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 profit; that we may live and be partakers of his holiness? The apostle in asking, Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? alludes to the punishment of the stubborn and rebellious son, Deu 21:18-21 : "If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, who will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them; then shall his father and mother lay hold on him and bring him to the elders of the city, and they shall say, This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice: and all the men of the city shall stone him with stones that he Die." Had he been subject to his earthly parents, he would have lived; because not subject, he dies. If we be subject to our heavenly Father, we shall Live, and be partakers of his holiness; if not, we shall Die, and be treated as bastards and not sons. This is the sum of the apostle's meaning; and the fact and the law to which he alludes. |
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:
4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
16 Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,
22 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
16 Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,
22 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?
16 For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.
1 The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
2 And the revolters are profound to make slaughter, though I have been a rebuker of them all.
20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
18 If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:
19 Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;
20 And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.
21 And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.