Hebreos 12:9

9 Además, tuvimos por castigadores a los padres de nuestra carne, y los reverenciábamos: ¿por qué no obedeceremos mucho mejor al Padre de los espíritus, y viviremos?

Hebreos 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.

Hebreos 12:9 In-Context

7 Si sufrís el castigo, Dios se os presenta como a hijos, porque ¿qué hijo es aquel a quien el padre no castiga?

8 Mas si estáis fuera del castigo, del cual todos los hijos han sido hechos participantes, luego adulterinos sois y no hijos.

9 Además, tuvimos por castigadores a los padres de nuestra carne, y los reverenciábamos: ¿por qué no obedeceremos mucho mejor al Padre de los espíritus, y viviremos?

10 Y aquellos, a la verdad, por pocos días nos castigaban como a ellos les parecía; mas éste para lo que nos es provechoso, es a saber , para que recibamos su santificación.

11 Es verdad que ningún castigo al presente parece ser causa de gozo, sino de tristeza; mas después da fruto apacible de justicia a los que en él son ejercitados.