Discovery BoxHebrews 12:9 
Context12:9 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
Hebrews 12:23
Context12:23 and congregation of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect,
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).
