Hebrews 12 14

Hebrews 12:14 kjv

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Hebrews 12:14 nkjv

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

Hebrews 12:14 niv

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14 esv

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14 nlt

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

Hebrews 12 verses

Hebrews 12 14 Meaning

Hebrews 12:14 is a profound exhortation to diligently seek two intertwined aspects of the Christian life: peace with all people and personal holiness. It sternly warns that without this holiness, a person cannot truly experience intimate fellowship with or comprehend the full glory of the Lord, especially in an ultimate, eternal sense. This verse underscores the active responsibility of believers to cultivate harmonious relationships and consecrated lives as an essential reflection of their faith and a prerequisite for divine communion.

Hebrews 12 14 Context

Hebrews chapter 12 follows an eloquent exhortation to persevere in faith, drawing upon the "great cloud of witnesses" (Heb 12:1) from chapter 11 and culminating in the supreme example of Jesus (Heb 12:2-3). The immediate context details God's loving discipline (Heb 12:4-11), comparing it to a father's training, intended to produce the "peaceful fruit of righteousness" in those trained by it (Heb 12:11). Following this, Hebrews 12:12-13 calls believers to strengthen weary hands and knees and make straight paths for their feet, fostering spiritual recovery and preventing a stumble. Verse 14, then, shifts to direct practical imperatives: the pursuit of peace and holiness. It functions as a bridge, transitioning from the previous discussion on endurance and discipline to warnings against potential pitfalls like bitterness, immorality, and profanity (exemplified by Esau in Heb 12:15-17), which hinder spiritual growth and prevent seeing God. The overall message of Hebrews is to hold fast to Christ, the superior Mediator of a new covenant, and to press on in faith and obedience despite external pressures and internal struggles, ensuring they do not "shrink back and perish, but have faith and preserve their souls" (Heb 10:39). This verse serves as a crucial ethical mandate within the broader theological framework of the epistle.

Hebrews 12 14 Word analysis

• Pursue (διώκω - diōkō): This Greek verb implies active, earnest, and diligent effort. It signifies "to chase after," "to press on towards a goal," or "to follow hard after." While diōkō can also mean "to persecute" (e.g., Matt 5:44), in this context, it takes on its positive sense of passionate and continuous pursuit, indicating that peace and holiness are not passively received but must be zealously sought and maintained, even in the face of difficulties.
• peace (εἰρήνη - eirēnē): More than simply the absence of conflict, eirēnē (the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew shalom) denotes a holistic state of well-being, harmony, reconciliation, and flourishing. In this context, it primarily refers to harmonious relationships with others. It implies an active effort to resolve conflicts, foster unity, and cultivate reconciliation.
• with all people (μετὰ πάντων - meta pantōn): This phrase emphasizes the universal scope of the peace to be pursued. It's not limited to fellow believers but extends to everyone—neighbors, strangers, and even enemies. This echoes Jesus' commands for love and peacemaking towards all.
• and holiness (καὶ τὸν ἁγιασμόν - kai ton hagiasmon): Hagiasmos refers to "sanctification" or "holiness." It signifies the process of being set apart from common use for God's sacred purposes and the practical development of a life congruent with God's holy nature. It's a continuous, progressive work of the Holy Spirit in a believer, producing conformity to Christ and moral purity. This pursuit of holiness involves cleansing from sin (2 Cor 7:1) and growing in spiritual maturity (1 Thes 4:3-7). It is not a legalistic earning of salvation, but the necessary fruit and evidence of true transformation.
• without which (χωρὶς ἧς - chōris hēs): This strong negative conditional clause introduces an indispensable condition. It means "apart from this," "unless this exists," or "apart from that (holiness)." It highlights the absolute necessity of holiness for the outcome described. There is no alternative pathway to "see the Lord."
• no one (οὐδεὶς - oudeis): This is an emphatic universal negation, meaning "not one," "no single person," or "absolutely no one." It leaves no room for exceptions, underlining the seriousness and non-negotiable nature of the condition for seeing the Lord.
• will see the Lord (ὄψεται τὸν Κύριον - opsetai ton Kyrion): This refers to the ultimate vision and experience of God. It signifies more than mere physical sight; it implies full, intimate fellowship, spiritual comprehension, and entering into the glorious presence of God in the eschatological future. This vision is promised to the pure in heart (Matt 5:8) and is the culmination of redemption. It speaks to eternal life, full communion, and participating in God's glory.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Pursue peace with all people: This phrase points to the horizontal dimension of the Christian walk – the active commitment to living in harmony and seeking reconciliation with humanity. It is an outward-focused diligence rooted in love and grace. It means overcoming our natural inclinations to conflict and striving for benevolent interactions with everyone, demonstrating Christ's love.
• and holiness: This part signifies the vertical dimension – the ongoing pursuit of purity, consecration, and moral likeness to God. It involves both a positional truth (set apart by Christ's sacrifice) and a practical reality (living set apart in daily conduct). This implies a turning away from sin and a devotion to righteousness.
• without which no one will see the Lord: This phrase forms the critical theological consequence. It is a stark warning affirming that holiness is not optional but absolutely indispensable for final and ultimate communion with God. While salvation is by grace through faith, true faith invariably leads to a transformed life of pursuing holiness, and this transformed life is the pathway to enjoying God's manifest presence now and forever. It indicates that living in sin is antithetical to experiencing God's presence and ultimately His glory.

Hebrews 12 14 Bonus section

The active Greek verb diōkō ("pursue") here beautifully contrasts with its occasional use to describe persecution. While enemies might diōkō Christians in hatred, Christians are called to diōkō peace and holiness with diligence. This highlights the transformative nature of Christian character, redirecting passion towards divine ends. The link between eirēnē (peace) and hagiasmos (holiness) indicates that true inner sanctity is not isolated but organically extends into relational harmony. One cannot claim to pursue true holiness while intentionally fomenting strife, nor can true peace with God exist without a genuine effort toward purity of heart. The "seeing of the Lord" implies full disclosure and intimacy. God is not hidden from those who genuinely seek Him in purity and peace, but veiled to those whose lives are consumed by strife and unholiness. This profound "seeing" speaks of the full revelation of God's glory to those who have been prepared to receive it by their consecrated lives.

Hebrews 12 14 Commentary

Hebrews 12:14 is a concise yet profoundly challenging command that forms a spiritual pivot within the Epistle. The author intertwines two crucial pursuits: horizontal "peace with all people" and vertical "holiness," declaring the latter as an absolute precondition for ultimately "seeing the Lord." The call to "pursue" (Gk. diōkō) peace signifies an active, vigorous, and ongoing endeavor, recognizing that peace, especially in a fallen world, rarely occurs by default. This peacemaking extends beyond the community of believers to all humanity (Rom 12:18), reflecting the boundless nature of Christ's love. It is not a passive acceptance of conditions, but an intentional striving for harmonious coexistence and reconciliation, making allowances and offering forgiveness where necessary.

Equally emphatic is the pursuit of "holiness" (hagiasmos). This is not mere legalistic conformity but a progressive work of inner cleansing and spiritual separation unto God, a living out of the righteousness imputed by Christ. It is a divine expectation (1 Pet 1:15-16), a reflection of God’s own character (Lev 19:2), and the outcome of the Holy Spirit’s transforming power. The stark phrase "without which no one" underscores its non-negotiable nature. This is not about earning salvation, but recognizing that genuine saving faith naturally expresses itself in a desire for purity and a turning from sin. Just as light and darkness cannot coexist, neither can defilement truly enjoy intimate fellowship with a perfectly holy God.

"Seeing the Lord" speaks to more than mere physical sight; it represents ultimate salvation, profound communion, entering into God's glorious presence, and fully experiencing His person and nature. This echoes the Beatitudes (Matt 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God") and the eschatological hope (1 Jn 3:2, Rev 22:4). Therefore, this verse is a potent warning against spiritual complacency and a powerful encouragement towards intentional spiritual discipline. It asserts that our eternal destiny and intimate relationship with God are inextricably linked to our active pursuit of peace with others and personal purity. These twin pursuits are the practical manifestation of faith and love, making us fit for the presence of a holy God.

Practical usage:

• Interpersonal relationships: Actively initiate reconciliation in conflicts, rather than waiting for others.
• Personal choices: Consciously choose actions and attitudes that promote inner purity and separation from worldly defilement.
• Self-reflection: Regularly examine one's heart and motives, seeking to align them with God's standard of holiness.