Hebräer 12:9

9 Zudem hatten wir auch unsere Väter nach dem Fleische zu Züchtigern und scheuten sie; sollen wir nicht viel mehr dem Vater der Geister unterwürfig sein und leben?

Hebräer 12:9 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 12:9

Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh
Earthly parents; who are so called, because they are the immediate causes and instruments of the generation of their children, and of their fleshly bodies and worldly beings; and to distinguish them from the Father of spirits: and this shows, that they have not the spirit or soul from them, only the flesh or body, and which is frail and corrupt; and therefore goes by this name.

Which corrected us;
early, and at proper seasons, in love, and for instruction, and to prevent ruin, and death:

and we gave them reverence;
by submitting to their correction, and hearkening to it; by taking shame to themselves, and acknowledging the offence committed; by retaining the same affection for them; and, by a carefulness not to offend for the future.

Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits,
and live?
that is, to God, who is so called; not because he is the Creator of angels, who are spirits; but because he is the Creator of the souls of men; the soul is the more noble and excellent part of man: it bears a resemblance to God; it is, the life of man, and is immortal; it is exceeding precious, and the redemption of it; this was at first immediately created by God; and he still continues to create souls, which he preserves in their being, and has the power of saving and destroying them. Besides, God may be so called, because he is the author and donor of all spiritual gifts, and particularly of regenerating grace; it is he who renews a right spirit in them, and puts a new spirit into them: now such ought to be in "subjection" to him; not only as creatures to a Creator, and as subjects to their prince: but as children to a father, and particularly to him, as and when correcting; they should bow to his sovereignty, resign to his will, be humble under his mighty hand, be still and quiet, and bear all patiently; the advantage arising from such a subjection is life: "and live"; or "that ye may live"; or "and ye shall live": more comfortably, and more to the glory of God, in communion and fellowship with him here, and in heaven to all eternity.

Hebräer 12:9 In-Context

7 Was ihr erduldet, ist zur Züchtigung: Gott handelt mit euch als mit Söhnen; denn wer ist ein Sohn, den der Vater nicht züchtigt?

8 Wenn ihr aber ohne Züchtigung seid, welcher alle teilhaftig geworden sind, so seid ihr denn Bastarde und nicht Söhne.

9 Zudem hatten wir auch unsere Väter nach dem Fleische zu Züchtigern und scheuten sie; sollen wir nicht viel mehr dem Vater der Geister unterwürfig sein und leben?

10 Denn jene freilich züchtigten uns für wenige Tage nach ihrem Gutdünken, er aber zum Nutzen, damit wir seiner Heiligkeit teilhaftig werden.

11 Alle Züchtigung aber scheint für die Gegenwart nicht ein Gegenstand der Freude, sondern der Traurigkeit zu sein; hernach aber gibt sie die friedsame Frucht der Gerechtigkeit denen, die durch sie geübt sind.