Hebrews 6:12

KJV

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

KJV (with Strong's)

That {G3363} ye be {G1096} not {G3363} slothful {G3576}, but {G1161} followers {G3402} of them who through {G1223} faith {G4102} and {G2532} patience {G3115} inherit {G2816} the promises {G1860}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so that you will not become sluggish, but will be imitators of those who by their trust and patience are receiving what has been promised.

Berean Standard Bible

Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

American Standard Version

that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 6:12 serves as a crucial exhortation within the author's broader appeal for spiritual maturity, urging believers to shun spiritual sluggishness and instead emulate those who, through unwavering faith and steadfast endurance, have received or are assured of God's divine promises. This verse provides a positive pathway forward following stern warnings against apostasy, emphasizing diligence and perseverance as essential virtues for inheriting the full scope of God's covenant blessings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a pivotal section of the Epistle to the Hebrews, specifically after the author's severe warning against spiritual regression and the dangers of apostasy in [Hebrews 6:4-8](/hebrews/6-4-8 "Hebrews 6:4-8 - The Warning Against Falling Away"). Having described the dire consequences of neglecting spiritual growth and effectively "crucifying the Son of God afresh" (as implied in [Hebrews 6:6](/hebrews/6-6 "Hebrews 6:6 - Consequences of Apostasy")), the author shifts to a more encouraging tone. [Hebrews 6:9-10](/hebrews/6-9-10 "Hebrews 6:9-10 - God's Faithfulness to His People") expresses confidence in the readers' ultimate salvation and acknowledges their past acts of love and service. Verse 12 then provides the practical, positive instruction for how they are to continue on the path of faithfulness, serving as a bridge to the subsequent discussion of God's unchangeable promise to Abraham as a model of patient faith in [Hebrews 6:13-20](/hebrews/6-13-20 "Hebrews 6:13-20 - God's Oath to Abraham").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience of the Epistle to the Hebrews was primarily Jewish Christians, likely facing persecution or social pressure to revert to Judaism. This context explains the author's repeated emphasis on the superiority of Christ over Old Testament figures and institutions, as well as the warnings against drifting away from the Christian faith. The concept of "inheriting promises" would resonate deeply with a Jewish audience familiar with God's covenant promises to Abraham and Israel, particularly concerning the land and a spiritual inheritance. The call to "patience" (longsuffering) was highly relevant for believers enduring trials and facing the temptation to abandon their faith for an easier path, a common theme in early Christian communities experiencing external hostility or internal weariness.
* **Key Themes:** Hebrews 6:12 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book. It underscores the **necessity of perseverance** in the Christian life, a theme echoed throughout the epistle, particularly in the call to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" in [Hebrews 12:1](/hebrews/12-1 "Hebrews 12:1 - Running the Race with Endurance"). The verse also highlights the **active nature of faith**, not merely as a static belief but as a dynamic trust that leads to diligent action and patient waiting for God's fulfillment, as exemplified by the "cloud of witnesses" in [Hebrews 11](/hebrews/11 "Hebrews 11 - The Faith Hall of Fame"). Furthermore, it reinforces the **reliability of God's promises**, assuring believers that their steadfastness is not in vain but directly leads to the inheritance of blessings secured by God's unchanging character, a truth powerfully affirmed in [Hebrews 10:23](/hebrews/10-23 "Hebrews 10:23 - Holding Fast to the Confession of Hope").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **slothful (Greek, _nōthrós_):** This term describes someone who is dull, sluggish, or lazy, particularly in a spiritual sense. It implies a lack of diligence, attentiveness, or zeal. In the context of Hebrews, it refers to a spiritual lethargy that hinders growth and makes one susceptible to drifting away from the truth, contrasting sharply with the active pursuit of spiritual maturity.
* **followers (Greek, _mimētḗs_):** Meaning "an imitator," this word calls believers to model their lives after those who have successfully demonstrated faith and patience. It's not about blind adherence but about observing and adopting the virtues and spiritual practices of godly examples, recognizing that spiritual progress often involves learning from the proven paths of others.
* **patience (Greek, _makrothymía_):** This term denotes longanimity, which encompasses both forbearance (objectively, with respect to others or circumstances) and fortitude (subjectively, in enduring trials). It signifies a steadfast endurance that does not give up under pressure or over time, a vital quality for those waiting for the fulfillment of God's promises amidst delays or difficulties.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That ye be not slothful,"**: This opening clause serves as a direct negative command, a warning against spiritual apathy or laziness. It urges the readers to avoid becoming dull or sluggish in their faith, which could lead to stagnation and a failure to progress towards maturity. It implies that spiritual diligence is an active choice and a necessary posture for believers.
* **"but followers of them who through faith and patience"**: This clause provides the positive counter-command and the prescribed method for avoiding slothfulness. Instead of being passive, believers are to actively imitate those who have demonstrated exemplary spiritual lives. The means by which these exemplars achieved their spiritual inheritance are explicitly stated: "through faith and patience," highlighting these two virtues as indispensable for spiritual success and inheritance.
* **"inherit the promises."**: This concluding phrase states the ultimate goal and reward for those who demonstrate faith and patience. "The promises" refer to the comprehensive scope of God's covenant blessings, both spiritual and eternal, which are assured to those who persevere in their walk with Him. This inheritance is not earned by works but received through a diligent and enduring faith that trusts in God's faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
The author employs several literary devices to convey the urgency and importance of this exhortation. **Contrast** is prominent, setting up "slothful" against "followers," and implicitly contrasting the negative outcome of spiritual dullness with the positive outcome of inheriting promises through diligence. The verse functions as a direct **Exhortation**, a strong encouragement and command to the readers to adopt a specific spiritual posture. There is also an element of **Imitation**, as believers are called to "follow" the example of others, emphasizing the communal and mentored aspect of the Christian journey. The phrase "inherit the promises" uses **Metonymy**, where "promises" stand for the blessings and realities that God has promised, focusing the reader's attention on the assured future reward.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 6:12 powerfully articulates the essential theological truth that God's promises are not automatically received but require a responsive faith characterized by active perseverance. It underscores the partnership between divine faithfulness and human diligence, demonstrating that while God is utterly reliable in His commitments, believers are called to a life of active trust and patient endurance. This verse connects the present spiritual discipline with the future reality of God's blessings, emphasizing that the journey of faith is a marathon, not a sprint, and that steadfastness in trials is the pathway to experiencing the fullness of God's covenant inheritance. It also highlights the importance of spiritual lineage and the "cloud of witnesses" who serve as models of enduring faith for subsequent generations.

* [James 1:3-4](/james/1-3-4 "James 1:3-4 - The Testing of Faith Produces Steadfastness")
* [Galatians 6:9](/galatians/6-9 "Galatians 6:9 - Not Growing Weary in Doing Good")
* [Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 6:12 is a timeless call to spiritual vigilance and active pursuit of God. It challenges us to honestly assess our own spiritual posture: are we characterized by a vibrant, engaged faith, or have we allowed a creeping slothfulness to dull our spiritual senses? This verse reminds us that the Christian life is not a passive waiting game but an active journey requiring consistent effort, unwavering trust in God, and patient endurance through every season. It encourages us to look beyond immediate gratification and fix our gaze on the eternal inheritance, drawing strength from the examples of those who have faithfully run the race before us. By embracing diligence, cultivating patience, and actively imitating godly examples, we position ourselves to fully receive the rich and abundant promises that God has secured for His children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your spiritual life might you be prone to "slothfulness," and what practical steps can you take to cultivate greater diligence?**
* **How do you currently practice "patience" in waiting for God's promises or in enduring trials, and what might it look like to grow in this virtue?**
* **Who are the "followers" or spiritual mentors in your life, past or present, whose faith and patience inspire you, and how can you more intentionally learn from their example?**
* **What specific "promises" of God are you currently seeking to inherit, and how does this verse encourage your perseverance in that pursuit?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to "be not slothful" in a spiritual sense?**

Answer: To "be not slothful" (Greek: _nōthrós_) spiritually means to avoid spiritual dullness, laziness, or apathy. It's a call to active engagement with one's faith, rather than becoming indifferent or sluggish in pursuing God, growing in knowledge, or obeying His commands. It implies a need for diligence, zeal, and consistent effort in spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible study, fellowship, and service. Just as a diligent farmer tends his field, a diligent believer actively cultivates their spiritual life to bear fruit, as implied in the preceding verses about productive land in [Hebrews 6:7-8](/hebrews/6-7-8 "Hebrews 6:7-8 - Productive vs. Unproductive Land").

**Who are "them who through faith and patience inherit the promises"?**

Answer: This refers to the faithful saints of God, both those in the Old Testament and those who have lived throughout history, who have demonstrated unwavering trust in God's word and steadfast endurance through trials. The author of Hebrews likely had figures like Abraham in mind, who "patiently endured and obtained the promise" ([Hebrews 6:15](/hebrews/6-15 "Hebrews 6:15 - Abraham's Patience and the Promise")). The entire "Hall of Faith" in [Hebrews 11](/hebrews/11 "Hebrews 11 - The Faith Hall of Fame") provides numerous examples of such individuals who, by faith and patience, looked forward to and received God's promises, even if not fully in their lifetime. They serve as models for believers today, demonstrating that the path to inheriting God's blessings is marked by these two crucial virtues.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 6:12, while an exhortation to believers, finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect example in Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "follower" of God's will, demonstrating perfect faith and unparalleled patience in His earthly ministry and especially in His suffering and death. Christ, "who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Our Faith")), perfectly embodied the virtues of faith and patience, thereby inheriting the ultimate promise: resurrection, exaltation, and the right to sit at the right hand of God. Our ability to "inherit the promises" is not based on our perfect faith and patience, but on our union with Christ, who perfectly fulfilled all righteousness and secured our inheritance through His atoning work. We become "heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")) by virtue of His finished work, and our faith and patience are merely our response to His faithfulness, enabling us to walk in the reality of what He has already secured for us. He is both the object of our faith and the perfect model for our patience, ensuring that the promises of God are "Yes and Amen" in Him ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 13:7

Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of [their] conversation.

Hebrews 10:36

For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

1 John 2:25

And this is the promise that he hath promised us, [even] eternal life.

Romans 12:11

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Proverbs 24:30

¶ I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;

Proverbs 24:34

So shall thy poverty come [as] one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

Revelation 14:12

Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.