“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?”
Moreover, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected (entrepō) them; should we not be much more subject to the Father of spirits and live? — earthly fathers' discipline earned respect (entrepō); how much more should we submit (hypotassō) to the Father of spirits, the true parent? Submit means life; rejection means death.
Church Fathers on Hebrews 12:9
“Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence.” Again, [he reasons] from their own experiences, from what they themselves suffered. For as he says above, “Call to mind the former days” Hebrews 10:32, so here also “God” (he says) “deals with you as with sons,” and you could not say, We cannot bear it: yea, “as with sons” tenderly beloved. For if they reverence their “fathers of the flesh,” how shall not you reverence your…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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