Hebrews 6:12

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

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}.

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.

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

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

Hebrews 6:12 (KJV) serves as a powerful exhortation to believers, encouraging steadfastness and diligence in their spiritual walk. It directly follows a solemn warning against spiritual stagnation and apostasy, urging the readers to press forward towards maturity.

Context of Hebrews 6:12

This verse is part of a crucial section in the Book of Hebrews where the author encourages the Jewish Christians to move beyond elementary doctrines and pursue spiritual maturity. The preceding verses (Hebrews 6:4-8) contain a stern warning about the danger of falling away from faith, likening such a state to land that produces only thorns and thistles, destined for burning. In contrast, verse 12 offers a positive path forward, emphasizing active faith and patient endurance as the means to secure God's promised blessings. It sets the stage for the author's confident expectation of better things from his readers, despite the earlier severe warnings.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Avoiding Spiritual Slothfulness: The command "That ye be not slothful" (Greek: nōthroi) directly addresses spiritual laziness or dullness. It's a call to actively engage with one's faith, rather than becoming sluggish or indifferent to spiritual growth and obedience. This theme highlights the necessity of diligence in the Christian life.
  • The Power of Faith and Patience: The verse explicitly links "faith and patience" as the twin virtues required to "inherit the promises." Faith is the confident trust in God and His word, while patience (Greek: hypomonē) signifies steadfast endurance, perseverance under trials, and unwavering commitment to God's will over time. These qualities are indispensable for receiving God's blessings.
  • Following Faithful Examples: Believers are encouraged to be "followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." This points to the importance of godly mentors and the cloud of witnesses, past and present, whose lives demonstrate enduring faith. The author likely had figures like Abraham in mind, who is later presented as a prime example of someone who patiently waited on God's promise (Hebrews 6:15).
  • Inheriting God's Promises: The ultimate goal of this perseverance is to "inherit the promises." This refers to the full scope of God's covenant blessings, both spiritual and eternal, which are assured to those who remain faithful to the end. It speaks to the future hope and reward for diligent believers.

Practical Application

Hebrews 6:12 provides timeless guidance for believers today:

  • Combat Spiritual Apathy: This verse challenges us to examine our own spiritual diligence. Are we actively pursuing God, growing in knowledge, and serving Him, or have we become spiritually dull? It's a call to renewed commitment and zeal.
  • Embrace Endurance: Understanding that faith is a journey requiring patience helps us navigate difficulties. When trials come, we are reminded to endure, trusting that God's promises will be fulfilled in His time, just as the testing of our faith produces steadfastness.
  • Learn from Others: We are not meant to walk alone. The instruction to follow those who exemplify faith and patience encourages us to seek out spiritual mentors, study the lives of biblical figures, and learn from the perseverance of saints throughout history. Their journey can inspire our own.
  • Focus on the Inheritance: Keeping our eyes on the eternal inheritance and God's unfailing promises helps us to persevere through present challenges. This hope fuels our patience and commitment, knowing that our labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

In essence, Hebrews 6:12 is a powerful reminder that the Christian walk is an active, enduring journey, characterized by faith and patience, leading to the sure inheritance of God's precious promises.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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