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Selected Verse: Hebrews 12:9 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Heb 12:9 |
Strong Concordance |
Furthermore [1534] [3303] we have had [2192] fathers [3962] of our [2257] flesh [4561] which corrected [3810] us, and [2532] we gave them reverence [1788]: shall we [5293] not [3756] much [4183] rather [3123] be in subjection [5293] unto the Father [3962] of spirits [4151], and [2532] live [2198]? |
| |
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 [2539] he were [5607] a Son [5207], yet learned he [3129] obedience [5218] by [575] the things which [3739] he suffered [3958];
6 That which is born [1080] of [1537] the flesh [4561] is [2076] flesh [4561]; and [2532] that which is born [1080] of [1537] the Spirit [4151] is [2076] spirit [4151].
4 Whereby [1223] [3739] are given [1433] unto us [2254] exceeding great [3176] and [2532] precious [5093] promises [1862]: that [2443] by [1223] these [5130] ye might be [1096] partakers [2844] of the divine [2304] nature [5449], having escaped [668] the corruption [5356] that is in [1722] the world [2889] through [1722] lust [1939].
10 For [1063] they verily [3303] for [4314] a few [3641] days [2250] chastened [3811] us after [2596] their own [846] pleasure [1380]; but [1161] he for [1909] our profit [4851], that [1519] we might be partakers [3335] of his [846] holiness [41].
18 If a man [0376] have a stubborn [05637] and rebellious [04784] son [01121], which will not obey [08085] the voice [06963] of his father [01], or the voice [06963] of his mother [0517], and that, when they have chastened [03256] him, will not hearken [08085] unto them:
4 The Spirit [07307] of God [0410] hath made [06213] me, and the breath [05397] of the Almighty [07706] hath given me life [02421].
16 Let the LORD [03068], the God [0430] of the spirits [07307] of all flesh [01320], set [06485] a man [0376] over the congregation [05712],
22 And they fell [05307] upon their faces [06440], and said [0559], O God [0410], the God [0430] of the spirits [07307] of all flesh [01320], shall one [0259] man [0376] sin [02398], and wilt thou be wroth [07107] with all the congregation [05712]?
12 Take heed [991], brethren [80], lest [3379] there be [2071] in [1722] any [5100] of you [5216] an evil [4190] heart [2588] of unbelief [570], in [1722] departing [868] from [575] the living [2198] God [2316].
9 In [1722] this [5129] was manifested [5319] the love [26] of God [2316] toward [1722] us [2254], because [3754] that God [2316] sent [649] his [846] only begotten [3439] Son [5207] into [1519] the world [2889], that [2443] we might live [2198] through [1223] him [846].
8 For [1063] whether [1437] [5037] we live [2198], we live [2198] unto the Lord [2962]; and whether [1437] [5037] we die [599], we die [599] unto the Lord [2962]: whether [1437] [5037] we live [2198] therefore [3767], or [1437] [5037] die [599], we are [2070] the Lord's [2962].
11 Likewise [3779] reckon [3049] ye [5210] also [2532] yourselves [1438] to be [1511] dead [3498] indeed [3303] unto sin [266], but [1161] alive [2198] unto God [2316] through [1722] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] our [2257] Lord [2962].
28 But [1161] Paul [3972] cried [5455] with a loud [3173] voice [5456], saying [3004], Do [4238] thyself [4572] no [3367] harm [2556]: for [1063] we are [2070] all [537] here [1759].
11 And [2532] after [3326] three [5140] days [2250] and [2532] an half [2255] the Spirit [4151] of life [2222] from [1537] God [2316] entered [1525] into [1909] them [846], and [2532] they stood [2476] upon [1909] their [846] feet [4228]; and [2532] great [3173] fear [5401] fell [4098] upon [1909] them which saw [2334] them [846].
11 And [2532] this [3778] is [2076] the record [3141], that [3754] God [2316] hath given [1325] to us [2254] eternal [166] life [2222], and [2532] this [3778] life [2222] is [2076] in [1722] his [846] Son [5207].
57 As [2531] the living [2198] Father [3962] hath sent [649] me [3165], and I [2504] live [2198] by [1223] the Father [3962]: so [2532] he that eateth [5176] me [3165], even he [2548] shall live [2198] by [1223] me [1691].
26 For [1063] as [5618] the Father [3962] hath [2192] life [2222] in [1722] himself [1438]; so [2532] [3779] hath he given [1325] to the Son [5207] to have [2192] life [2222] in [1722] himself [1438];
6 And [2532] he said [2036] unto me [3427], These [3778] sayings [3056] are faithful [4103] and [2532] true [228]: and [2532] the Lord [2962] God [2316] of the holy [40] prophets [4396] sent [649] his [846] angel [32] to shew [1166] unto his [846] servants [1401] the things which [3739] must [1163] shortly [1722] [5034] be done [1096].
16 Let the LORD [03068], the God [0430] of the spirits [07307] of all flesh [01320], set [06485] a man [0376] over the congregation [05712],
22 And they fell [05307] upon their faces [06440], and said [0559], O God [0410], the God [0430] of the spirits [07307] of all flesh [01320], shall one [0259] man [0376] sin [02398], and wilt thou be wroth [07107] with all the congregation [05712]?
16 For I will not contend [07378] for ever [05769], neither will I be always [05331] wroth [07107]: for the spirit [07307] should fail [05848] before [06440] me, and the souls [05397] which I have made [06213].
1 The burden [04853] of the word [01697] of the LORD [03068] for Israel [03478], saith [05002] the LORD [03068], which stretcheth [05186] forth the heavens [08064], and layeth the foundation [03245] of the earth [0776], and formeth [03335] the spirit [07307] of man [0120] within [07130] him.
24 God [2316] is a Spirit [4151]: and [2532] they that worship [4352] him [846] must [1163] worship [4352] him in [1722] spirit [4151] and [2532] in truth [225].
23 But [235] the hour [5610] cometh [2064], and [2532] now [3568] is [2076], when [3753] the true [228] worshippers [4353] shall worship [4352] the Father [3962] in [1722] spirit [4151] and [2532] in truth [225]: for [2532] [1063] the Father [3962] seeketh [2212] such [5108] to worship [4352] him [846].
2 And the revolters [07846] are profound [06009] to make slaughter [07819], though I have been a rebuker [04148] of them all.
20 An instructor [3810] of the foolish [878], a teacher [1320] of babes [3516], which hast [2192] the form [3446] of knowledge [1108] and [2532] of the truth [225] in [1722] the law [3551].
14 Forasmuch [1893] then [3767] as the children [3813] are partakers [2841] of flesh [4561] and [2532] blood [129], he [3348] also [2532] himself [846] likewise [3898] took part [3348] of the same [846]; that [2443] through [1223] death [2288] he might destroy [2673] him that had [2192] the power [2904] of death [2288], that is [5123], the devil [1228];
29 But [235] as [5618] then [5119] he that was born [1080] after [2596] the flesh [4561] persecuted [1377] him that was born after [2596] the Spirit [4151], even [2532] so [3779] it is now [3568].
3 For [1063] I [1473] could wish [2172] that myself [846] were [1511] accursed [331] from [575] Christ [5547] for [5228] my [3450] brethren [80], my [3450] kinsmen [4773] according [2596] to the flesh [4561]:
1 What [5101] shall we say [2046] then [3767] that Abraham [11] our [2257] father [3962], as pertaining [2596] to the flesh [4561], hath found [2147]?
7 After that [1899], he was seen [3700] of James [2385]; then [1534] of all [3956] the apostles [652].
5 And [2532] that [3754] he was seen [3700] of Cephas [2786], then [1534] of the twelve [1427]:
12 Those [1161] by [3844] the way side [3598] are [1526] they that hear [191]; then [1534] cometh [2064] the devil [1228], and [2532] taketh away [142] the word [3056] out of [575] their [846] hearts [2588], lest [3363] they should believe [4100] and be saved [4982].
25 After [1534] that he put [2007] his hands [5495] again [3825] upon [1909] his [846] eyes [3788], and [2532] made [4160] him [846] look up [308]: and [2532] he was restored [600], and [2532] saw [1689] every man [537] clearly [5081].
17 And [2532] have [2192] no [3756] root [4491] in [1722] themselves [1438], and [235] so endure [1526] but for a time [4340]: afterward [1534], when affliction [2347] or [2228] persecution [1375] ariseth [1096] for [1223] the word's sake [3056], immediately [2112] they are offended [4624].
18 If a man [0376] have a stubborn [05637] and rebellious [04784] son [01121], which will not obey [08085] the voice [06963] of his father [01], or the voice [06963] of his mother [0517], and that, when they have chastened [03256] him, will not hearken [08085] unto them:
19 Then shall his father [01] and his mother [0517] lay hold [08610] on him, and bring him out [03318] unto the elders [02205] of his city [05892], and unto the gate [08179] of his place [04725];
20 And they shall say [0559] unto the elders [02205] of his city [05892], This our son [01121] is stubborn [05637] and rebellious [04784], he will not obey [08085] our voice [06963]; he is a glutton [02151], and a drunkard [05433].
21 And all the men [0582] of his city [05892] shall stone [07275] him with stones [068], that he die [04191]: so shalt thou put [01197] evil [07451] away [01197] from among [07130] you; and all Israel [03478] shall hear [08085], and fear [03372].