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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hebrews/12-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/58_Heb_12_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hebrews 12:9 - God Disciplines His Sons" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. 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How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! <a href="/nlt/hebrews/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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? <a href="/esv/hebrews/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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? <a href="/bsb/hebrews/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live? <a href="/blb/hebrews/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Furthermore indeed, we have had fathers of our flesh, correctors, and we respected them; and shall we not much more be in subjection to the Father of spirits and shall live? <a href="/kjv/hebrews/12.htm">King James Bible</a> 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? <a href="/nkjv/hebrews/12.htm">New King James Version</a> 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? <a href="/nasb_/hebrews/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? <a href="/nasb/hebrews/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? <a href="/nasb77/hebrews/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? <a href="/lsb/hebrews/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them. Shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? <a href="/amp/hebrews/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we submitted and respected them [for training us]; shall we not much more willingly submit to the Father of spirits, and live [by learning from His discipline]? <a href="/csb/hebrews/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Furthermore, we had human fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn’t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? <a href="/hcsb/hebrews/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Furthermore, we had natural fathers discipline us, and we respected them. Shouldn&#8217t we submit even more to the Father of spirits and live? <a href="/asv/hebrews/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? <a href="/cev/hebrews/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Our earthly fathers correct us, and we still respect them. Isn't it even better to be given true life by letting our spiritual Father correct us? <a href="/erv/hebrews/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? <a href="/gwt/hebrews/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> On earth we have fathers who disciplined us, and we respect them. Shouldn't we place ourselves under the authority of God, the father of spirits, so that we will live? <a href="/gnt/hebrews/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> In the case of our human fathers, they punished us and we respected them. How much more, then, should we submit to our spiritual Father and live! <a href="/isv/hebrews/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> Furthermore, we had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them for it. We should submit even more to the Father of our spirits and live, shouldn't we? <a href="/msb/hebrews/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live? <a href="/net/hebrews/12.htm">NET Bible</a> Besides, we have experienced discipline from our earthly fathers and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life? <a href="/nheb/hebrews/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Furthermore, we had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we paid them respect. Should we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? <a href="/wbt/hebrews/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh who corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? <a href="/wey/hebrews/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Besides this, our earthly fathers used to discipline us and we treated them with respect, and shall we not be still more submissive to the Father of our spirits, and live? <a href="/web/hebrews/12.htm">World English Bible</a> Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/hebrews/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Then, indeed, we have had fathers of our flesh, correctors, and we respected [them]; will we not much rather be subject to the Father of the spirits, and live? <a href="/blb/hebrews/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Furthermore indeed, we have had fathers of our flesh, correctors, and we respected them; and shall we not much more be in subjection to the Father of spirits and shall live? <a href="/ylt/hebrews/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Then, indeed, fathers of our flesh we have had, chastising us, and we were reverencing them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of the spirits, and live? <a href="/slt/hebrews/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Since we truly have fathers of our flesh instructors, and we were influenced: shall we not rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and we shall live?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/hebrews/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Moreover we have had fathers of our flesh, for instructors, and we reverenced them: shall we not much more obey the Father of spirits, and live? <a href="/cpdv/hebrews/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then, too, we have certainly had the fathers of our flesh as instructors, and we reverenced them. Should we not obey the Father of spirits all the more, and so live? <a href="/nabre/hebrews/12.htm">New American Bible</a> Besides this, we have had our earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not [then] submit all the more to the Father of spirits and live? <a href="/nrsvce/hebrews/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/hebrews/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Furthermore if our fathers of the flesh corrected us and we respected them, how much more then should we willingly be under subjection to our Spiritual Father, and live? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/hebrews/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And if our fathers who are in the flesh have disciplined us and we did revere them, how much more ought we submit to The Father of Spirits and live?<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/hebrews/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> So, then, we have had fathers of our flesh who corrected us, and we reverenced them; shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of our spirits, and live? <a href="/godbey/hebrews/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Then indeed, we had fathers of our flesh who chastised us, and we endured: how much more then shall we submit to the Father of spirits, and live? <a href="/haweis/hebrews/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> If then we have had the fathers of our flesh for correctors, and reverenced them; shall we not much more be under subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? <a href="/mace/hebrews/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a> when our natural parents corrected us, we gave them reverence: is it not much more reasonable to be in subjection to the father of spirits, in order to have life? <a href="/wey/hebrews/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Besides this, our earthly fathers used to discipline us and we treated them with respect, and shall we not be still more submissive to the Father of our spirits, and live? <a href="/worrell/hebrews/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Furthermore, we used to have the fathers of our flesh as chasteners, and we reverenced them: shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of our spirits, and live? <a href="/worsley/hebrews/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Now if we had fathers of our flesh, who corrected us, and we gave them reverence; shall we not much more be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? <a href="/parallel/hebrews/12-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-IAXXp5zcA?start=2561" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/hebrews/12.htm">God Disciplines His Sons</a> …8If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9<a href="/greek/1534.htm" title="1534: eita (Adv) -- A particle of succession, then, moreover.">Furthermore,</a> <a href="/greek/3303.htm" title="3303: men (Conj) -- A primary particle; properly, indicative of affirmation or concession; usually followed by a contrasted clause with de."></a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: eichomen (V-IIA-1P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">we have all had</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4561.htm" title="4561: sarkos (N-GFS) -- Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. ">earthly</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: pateras (N-AMP) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">fathers</a> <a href="/greek/3810.htm" title="3810: paideutas (N-AMP) -- An instructor, trainer; almost: a chastiser. From paideuo; a trainer, i.e. Teacher or discipliner.">who disciplined us,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1788.htm" title="1788: enetrepometha (V-IIP-1P) -- From en and the base of trope; to invert, i.e. in a good sense, to respect; or in a bad one, to confound.">we respected them.</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">Should we not</a> <a href="/greek/4183.htm" title="4183: poly (Adj-ANS) -- Much, many; often. ">much</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">more</a> <a href="/greek/3123.htm" title="3123: mallon (Adv) -- More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather."></a> <a href="/greek/5293.htm" title="5293: hypotagēsometha (V-FIP-1P) -- From hupo and tasso; to subordinate; reflexively, to obey.">submit</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">to the</a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: Patri (N-DMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">Father</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GNP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of our</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: pneumatōn (N-GNP) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">spirits</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2198.htm" title="2198: zēsomen (V-FIA-1P) -- To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.">live?</a> 10Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/proverbs/3-11.htm">Proverbs 3:11-12</a> My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; / for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights. <a href="/ephesians/6-1.htm">Ephesians 6:1-4</a> Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. / “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), / “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.” ... <a href="/colossians/3-20.htm">Colossians 3:20-21</a> Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. / Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged. <a href="/deuteronomy/8-5.htm">Deuteronomy 8:5</a> So know in your heart that just as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you. <a href="/2_corinthians/6-18.htm">2 Corinthians 6:18</a> And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” <a href="/romans/8-15.htm">Romans 8:15</a> For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption to sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” <a href="/matthew/7-11.htm">Matthew 7:11</a> So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! <a href="/1_peter/1-14.htm">1 Peter 1:14-17</a> As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance. / But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” ... <a href="/malachi/1-6.htm">Malachi 1:6</a> “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. But if I am a father, where is My honor? And if I am a master, where is your fear of Me?” says the LORD of Hosts to you priests who despise My name. “But you ask, ‘How have we despised Your name?’ <a href="/luke/11-11.htm">Luke 11:11-13</a> What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? / Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? / So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” <a href="/isaiah/63-16.htm">Isaiah 63:16</a> Yet You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father; our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name. <a href="/john/1-12.htm">John 1:12-13</a> But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— / children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God. <a href="/1_john/3-1.htm">1 John 3:1</a> Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. <a href="/psalms/103-13.htm">Psalm 103:13</a> As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. <a href="/galatians/4-6.htm">Galatians 4:6-7</a> And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” / So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?fathers.<a href="/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6</a> That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.<a href="/acts/2-30.htm">Acts 2:30</a> Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;<a href="/romans/1-3.htm">Romans 1:3</a> Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;corrected.<a href="/hebrews/12-7.htm">Hebrews 12:7</a> If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?we gave.<a href="/exodus/20-12.htm">Exodus 20:12</a> Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.<a href="/leviticus/19-3.htm">Leviticus 19:3</a> Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.<a href="/deuteronomy/21-18.htm">Deuteronomy 21:18-21</a> 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: … shall we not.<a href="/malachi/1-6.htm">Malachi 1:6</a> A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?<a href="/james/4-7.htm">James 4:7,10</a> Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you… <a href="/1_peter/5-6.htm">1 Peter 5:6</a> Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:the Father.<a href="/numbers/16-22.htm">Numbers 16:22</a> 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?<a href="/numbers/27-16.htm">Numbers 27:16</a> Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,<a href="/job/12-10.htm">Job 12:10</a> In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/10-21.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/philemon/1-19.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-7.htm">Chasten</a> <a href="/acts/24-2.htm">Corrected</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-8.htm">Discipline</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-8.htm">Disciplined</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-20.htm">Earthly</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-2.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-20.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-1.htm">Furthermore</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-14.htm">Human</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-38.htm">Live</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-36.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/hebrews/8-9.htm">Paid</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-8.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-25.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-26.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/galatians/2-6.htm">Respected</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-4.htm">Reverence</a> <a href="/esther/3-2.htm">Reverenced</a> <a href="/hebrews/1-14.htm">Spirits</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-11.htm">Subject</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-8.htm">Subjection</a> <a href="/titus/3-1.htm">Submissive</a> <a href="/titus/3-1.htm">Submit</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-37.htm">Treated</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-33.htm">Used</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/13-10.htm">Authority</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-5.htm">Besides</a> <a href="/revelation/3-19.htm">Chasten</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-23.htm">Corrected</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-11.htm">Discipline</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-10.htm">Disciplined</a> <a href="/james/3-15.htm">Earthly</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-10.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/james/3-15.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/genesis/32-6.htm">Furthermore</a> <a href="/james/2-26.htm">Human</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-14.htm">Live</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-15.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-13.htm">Paid</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-10.htm">Punishment</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-11.htm">Rather</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-16.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/genesis/4-4.htm">Respected</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-28.htm">Reverence</a> <a href="/joshua/4-24.htm">Reverenced</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-23.htm">Spirits</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-17.htm">Subject</a> <a href="/james/3-7.htm">Subjection</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-17.htm">Submissive</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-17.htm">Submit</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-19.htm">Treated</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-14.htm">Used</a><div class="vheading2">Hebrews 12</div>1. <a href="/hebrews/12-1.htm">An exhortation to constant faith, patience, and godliness by Christ's example</a> 22. <a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm">A commendation of the new covenant.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hebrews/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, This phrase acknowledges a common experience among readers, emphasizing the universal nature of parental discipline. In the ancient world, discipline was a crucial aspect of family life, often involving physical correction as a means to teach and guide children. <a href="/proverbs/13-24.htm">Proverbs 13:24</a> supports this, stating, "Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them." The concept of discipline here is not merely punitive but is intended for the child's growth and development. The comparison to earthly fathers sets the stage for understanding God's discipline as even more profound and purposeful.and we respected them. Respect for parental authority was a fundamental value in Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures. The Fifth Commandment, "Honor your father and your mother," underscores the importance of respecting one's parents. This respect was not only a social expectation but also a spiritual obligation, reflecting one's reverence for God's established order. The respect given to earthly fathers for their discipline is used as a basis for arguing that God, as the ultimate Father, deserves even greater respect and submission.Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits This rhetorical question elevates the discussion from the earthly to the divine. The "Father of our spirits" highlights God's role as the creator and sustainer of life, contrasting with earthly fathers who are limited to physical parentage. This phrase suggests a deeper relationship and responsibility to God, who is concerned with the spiritual well-being of His children. The call to submit aligns with <a href="/james/4-7.htm">James 4:7</a>, "Submit yourselves, then, to God," emphasizing the importance of yielding to God's authority and guidance.and live? The promise of life here is both temporal and eternal. In the biblical context, true life is found in relationship with God, as seen in <a href="/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10</a>, where Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Submission to God's discipline leads to spiritual vitality and growth, contrasting with the death that results from sin and rebellion. This phrase encapsulates the ultimate goal of divine discipline: to lead believers into a fuller, more abundant life in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/earthly_fathers.htm">Earthly Fathers</a> Refers to human parents who discipline their children, a common experience that the original audience would relate to. 2. <a href="/topical/f/father_of_spirits.htm">Father of Spirits</a> A title for God, emphasizing His role as the Creator and sustainer of our spiritual lives. 3. <a href="/topical/d/discipline.htm">Discipline</a> The act of training or correcting, often associated with parental guidance and God's instruction. 4. <a href="/topical/r/respect.htm">Respect</a> The response of children to their earthly fathers' discipline, used as a parallel to how believers should respond to God's discipline. 5. <a href="/topical/l/life.htm">Life</a> The result of submitting to God's discipline, implying spiritual vitality and eternal life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_discipline.htm">Understanding Discipline</a> Recognize that discipline from God, like that from earthly parents, is meant for our growth and benefit. <a href="/topical/r/respect_and_submission.htm">Respect and Submission</a> Just as we respect our earthly parents, we should have even greater respect and submission to God, who disciplines us for our spiritual well-being. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_life.htm">Spiritual Life</a> Submitting to God's discipline leads to a deeper, more vibrant spiritual life, aligning us with His will. <a href="/topical/g/god's_fatherhood.htm">God's Fatherhood</a> Embrace the concept of God as the "Father of spirits," which underscores His intimate involvement in our spiritual journey. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a> View discipline not as punishment but as preparation for eternal life, shaping us into the likeness of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hebrews_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 12</a> <a href="/q/does_the_bible_mention_reincarnation.htm">What does the Bible say about past lives and reincarnation?</a> <a href="/q/who_saves_his_people_from_sins.htm">What is the Beatific Vision?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_bottomless_pit's_nature.htm">What is the nature of the Bottomless Pit?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_stepparenting.htm">What guidance does the Bible offer on stepparenting?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hebrews/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) Furthermore we have had fathers.--Rather, Furthermore we had the fathers of our flesh as chasteners (i.e., to chasten us). The thought of the former verses has been, "He chastens as a lather." From likeness we here pass to contrast. The contrast drawn is between our natural parents and "the Father of spirits" (comp. <a href="/numbers/16-22.htm" title="And they fell on their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and will you be wroth with all the congregation?">Numbers 16:22</a>; <a href="/numbers/27-16.htm" title="Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,">Numbers 27:16</a>; <a href="/zechariah/12-1.htm" title="The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, said the LORD, which stretches forth the heavens, and lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him.">Zechariah 12:1</a>)--the Creator of all spirits, who is the Giver of life to all, who knows the spirit which He has made (see <a href="/context/psalms/94-9.htm" title="He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?">Psalm 94:9-10</a>) and can discipline it by His chastening.And live.--Since the life of the spirit subsists only in union with Him.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hebrews/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 9. - Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us (more correctly, we once had, or, we used to have, the fathers of our flesh as chasteners), and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? This introduces an à fortiori argument. We are reminded of the days of our youth, while we were under parental discipline, and bore with it submissively: much more should we submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father, to whom we are as children under training all our life long! Commentators differ as to what is exactly meant by the contrast between "the fathers of our flesh" and "the Father of spirits (τῶν πνευμάτων)." Some (among moderns Delitzsch) find here a support to the theory of creationism as against traducianism; i.e. that the soul of each individual, as distinct from the body, is a new creation, not transmitted from the parents. This view would have more to go on than it has, were we justified in implying ἡμῶν after πνευμάτων ("our spirits," in opposition to "our flesh," preceding). But τῶν πνευμάτων seems evidently meant to be understood generally; and the expression (suggested probably by <a href="/numbers/16-22.htm">Numbers 16:22</a> and Numbers 27:16, "The God of the spirits of all flesh") need imply only that, though God is the original Author of flesh as well as spirit, yet the latter, whether in man or otherwise existing, has in a peculiar sense its parentage from him (cf. <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a>, "The LORD GOD formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul;" also <a href="/job/33-4.htm">Job 33:4</a>, "The Spirit of the LORD hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life"). Our earthly parents transmit to us our carnal existence; our spiritual part, in whatever mysterious way derived or inspired, is duo to our Divine parentage; and it is in respect of this that we are God's children and accountable to him. But, as has been intimated above, it is not human spirits only that are here in the writer's view. God is the Father of all "the spirits," whether in the flesh or not; all are of Divine parentage, for God himself is Spirit - Πνεῦμα ὁ Θεός (<a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a>). Chrysostom explains thus: Τῷ πατρὶ τῶν πνευμὰτων ἤτοι τῶν χαρισμάτων λέγει, ἤτοι τῶν εὐχῶν ψυχῶν ἤτοι τῶν ἀσωμάτων δυνάμεων <a href="/commentaries/hebrews/12-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Furthermore, εἶτα (eita) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_1534.htm">Strong's 1534: </a> A particle of succession, then, moreover. we have all had εἴχομεν (eichomen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. earthly σαρκὸς (sarkos) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4561.htm">Strong's 4561: </a> Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. fathers πατέρας (pateras) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. who disciplined [us], παιδευτὰς (paideutas) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3810.htm">Strong's 3810: </a> An instructor, trainer; almost: a chastiser. From paideuo; a trainer, i.e. Teacher or discipliner. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. we respected [them]. ἐνετρεπόμεθα (enetrepometha) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Passive - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1788.htm">Strong's 1788: </a> From en and the base of trope; to invert, i.e. in a good sense, to respect; or in a bad one, to confound. {Should we} not οὐ (ou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. much πολὺ (poly) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4183.htm">Strong's 4183: </a> Much, many; often. more δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. submit ὑποταγησόμεθα (hypotagēsometha) Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5293.htm">Strong's 5293: </a> From hupo and tasso; to subordinate; reflexively, to obey. to the τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Father Πατρὶ (Patri) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'. of [our] τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. spirits πνευμάτων (pneumatōn) Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> Wind, breath, spirit. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. live? ζήσομεν (zēsomen) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2198.htm">Strong's 2198: </a> To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hebrews/12-9.htm">Hebrews 12:9 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/hebrews/12-9.htm">Hebrews 12:9 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/hebrews/12-9.htm">Hebrews 12:9 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/hebrews/12-9.htm">Hebrews 12:9 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/hebrews/12-9.htm">Hebrews 12:9 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/hebrews/12-9.htm">Hebrews 12:9 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hebrews/12-9.htm">Hebrews 12:9 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/hebrews/12-9.htm">Hebrews 12:9 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/hebrews/12-9.htm">Hebrews 12:9 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/hebrews/12-9.htm">Hebrews 12:9 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-9.htm">NT Letters: Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore we had the fathers of our (Heb. He. Hb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hebrews/12-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hebrews 12:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hebrews 12:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hebrews/12-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hebrews 12:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hebrews 12:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>