Hebrews 12:9-11

12:9 Besides, we have experienced discipline from 1  our earthly fathers 2  and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life? 3  12:10 For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness. 12:11 Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. 4  But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness 5  for those trained by it.

1 tn Grk “we had our earthly fathers as discipliners.”

2 tn Grk “the fathers of our flesh.” In Hebrews, “flesh” is a characteristic way of speaking about outward, physical, earthly life (cf. Heb 5:7; 9:10, 13), as opposed to the inward or spiritual dimensions of life.

3 tn Grk “and live.”

sn Submit ourselves…to the Father of spirits and receive life. This idea is drawn from Proverbs, where the Lord’s discipline brings life, while resistance to it leads to death (cf. Prov 4:13; 6:23; 10:17; 16:17).

4 tn Grk “all discipline at the time does not seem to be of joy, but of sorrow.”

5 tn Grk “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”