Hebrews 6 12

Hebrews 6:12 kjv

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

Hebrews 6:12 nkjv

that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 6:12 niv

We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Hebrews 6:12 esv

so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 6:12 nlt

Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance.

Hebrews 6 verses

Hebrews 6 12 Meaning

This verse serves as a clear exhortation for believers to shun spiritual laziness and apathy. It urges them instead to actively emulate the lives of those exemplary figures of faith who, by patiently enduring through their trust in God's faithfulness, ultimately obtained or are in the process of obtaining God's divine assurances and blessings. It highlights perseverance as crucial for realizing the inheritance of God's promises.

Hebrews 6 12 Context

Hebrews chapter 6 is a pivotal section within the epistle, containing both a stern warning and a powerful encouragement. The immediate context of verse 12 follows the sobering admonition (vv. 4-8) regarding the peril of apostasy and spiritual regression. After laying a strong foundation concerning Christ's superiority, the author addresses the believers' spiritual immaturity (5:11-14). He warns against "falling away" from the living God (v. 6), likening unresponsiveness to good teaching to land that produces only thorns and thistles, destined for burning.

However, immediately before verse 12, the tone shifts dramatically to assurance (vv. 9-10). The writer expresses confidence in the readers, stating, "But beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, things that accompany salvation." He affirms God's faithfulness in remembering their past acts of love and service. This confidence sets the stage for the encouragement in verse 12. The author's plea in verse 12 is to move forward from this confident assurance to active spiritual diligence ("show diligence to the very end," v. 11), thereby avoiding the spiritual dullness mentioned in 5:11 and confirming their hope.

Historically and culturally, the Jewish Christian audience was facing significant pressure to revert to the perceived safety and familiarity of Judaism, potentially due to persecution or social ostracism for their new faith in Christ. The book of Hebrews consistently argues for the superiority of Christ and His New Covenant, demonstrating why returning to the Old Covenant would be a regression, not an improvement. By highlighting the examples of Old Testament saints (who were part of their shared heritage) as models of faith and patience in waiting for promises, the author offers a culturally resonant and spiritually compelling argument for sustained perseverance in their Christian walk.

Hebrews 6 12 Word analysis

• that (ἵνα - hina): A purpose clause, indicating the desired outcome or goal of the previous exhortation (v. 11: "to show diligence to the very end"). The intention is clear: so that this negative state is avoided.
• you (μὴ νωθροὶ γένησθε - mē nōthroi genēsthe): The prohibitive form expresses a strong warning to prevent a specific spiritual condition.
• do not become (μὴ γένησθε - mē genēsthe): A negative command, urging prevention of this state. "You do not become" means "don't let yourselves become," indicating an active choice in avoiding this condition.
• sluggish (νωθροὶ - nōthroi): This significant Greek term implies dullness, lethargy, inertness, and a lack of spiritual energy or eagerness. It’s a state of being slow-witted, dull in apprehension, or unwilling to make effort. It's the same word used in Heb 5:11 to describe the readers as "dull of hearing." It represents a spiritual apathy that impedes growth and receptivity to truth.
• but (ἀλλὰ - alla): A strong adversative conjunction, presenting a sharp contrast or alternative to being sluggish. It shifts the focus from avoiding a negative to pursuing a positive.
• imitate (μιμηταὶ - mimētai): "Imitators," "followers," "emulators." This calls for active emulation and replication of a pattern of behavior or character. It's not passive admiration but a deliberate and conscientious adoption of the qualities observed in others. This concept was important in both Jewish (e.g., imitating prophets) and Greek cultures (e.g., imitating wise philosophers).
• those who (τῶν - tōn): "The ones," referring to specific individuals, implying a well-known group, likely drawing heavily on the Old Testament "heroes of faith" introduced fully in Chapter 11.
• through (διὰ - dia): Denotes the means, channel, or instrument by which something is accomplished. Faith and patience are the essential methods or paths.
• faith (πίστεως - pisteōs): A deep-seated trust, reliance, conviction, and faithfulness towards God and His promises. In Hebrews, faith is active belief and obedience to God's word, particularly concerning the unseen future and His character. It's not mere intellectual assent but a transformative relationship.
• and (καὶ - kai): Connects faith and patience as two indispensable, complementary qualities. One without the other is insufficient for inheriting the promises.
• patience (μακροθυμίας - makrothymias): "Longsuffering," "endurance," "steadfastness," "perseverance." This term signifies remaining steadfast under trials, provocation, or delayed fulfillment, without losing hope or succumbing to discouragement. It is an active waiting, not passive resignation, implying forbearance and tenacity over time. It contrasts with hupomonē (remaining under), often referring to steadfastness in trials; makrothymia often highlights persistence towards delayed or future blessings.
• inherit (κληρονομούντων - klēronomountōn): A present participle, indicating a continuous or ongoing process for those who are currently characterized by this. "Those who are inheriting" or "who are inheriting and have inherited." It implies gaining possession by divine right or as a rightful heir. It connects directly to God's covenant promises, particularly to Abraham.
• the promises (τὰς ἐπαγγελίας - tas epangelias): Refers to the divine assurances and solemn commitments made by God throughout redemptive history, starting with Abraham and culminating in Christ. In Hebrews, these promises include the land, numerous descendants, divine blessing, and ultimately a "better" and "heavenly" inheritance – salvation, rest, eternal life, and fellowship with God through Christ. They are unfailing because they proceed from a faithful God.

Hebrews 6 12 Bonus section

The specific choice of "sluggish" (νωθροὶ) connects not only to the readers' lack of understanding in chapter 5 but also hints at a spiritual sluggishness in their will to obey and persist, not just in their intellect. This is a condition that must be actively fought against. The entire letter of Hebrews emphasizes perseverance ("holding fast") to Christ, who is superior to all others. The "imitators" mentioned are a direct lead-in to Hebrews 11, the "hall of faith," providing concrete historical examples for the readers to model their lives after. These figures faced similar if not greater trials, yet did not abandon their trust in God, and this perseverance led to their "inheriting" the promises. The verse encapsulates a critical theological truth: spiritual growth is not passive; it requires deliberate, faith-filled endurance, drawing strength from past witnesses who demonstrate that God's promises are ultimately unfailing.

Hebrews 6 12 Commentary

Hebrews 6:12 serves as a pivotal bridge between a stark warning against apostasy and an encouraging path forward to spiritual maturity and inheritance. The command "do not become sluggish" (νωθροί) directly recalls the author's earlier rebuke in 5:11, implying that spiritual apathy or a dullness in understanding God's truth is a serious obstacle to growth and can even lead to falling away. This sluggishness is the opposite of the "diligence" exhorted in the preceding verse (6:11).

Instead of succumbing to spiritual inertia, believers are called to active "imitation" (μιμηταί). This is not just intellectual assent but a practical, observable walk of discipleship. The models for this imitation are those, primarily the Old Testament patriarchs and figures of faith (as exemplified in Hebrews 11), who steadfastly endured because they walked "through faith and patience." "Faith" (πίστις) is the unshakeable trust in God's word and character, even when His promises seem distant or unseen. "Patience" (μακροθυμία) is the enduring steadfastness—the long-suffering that persists through trials, delays, and opposition without wavering or giving up. Both are essential: faith provides the conviction for what is unseen, and patience provides the perseverance required to wait for its visible manifestation.

The ultimate goal and outcome for these faithful individuals is to "inherit the promises." This "inheritance" (κληρονομία) connects directly to God's covenantal pledges, particularly those given to Abraham. For the original Jewish-Christian audience, this spoke to the fulfillment of prophecies and the ultimate reality of salvation and God's kingdom. For all believers, it points to the full enjoyment of eternal life, rest, and all the blessings secured by Christ's sacrifice, often realized fully in the eschatological future, yet also experienced in part in the present. This verse profoundly underscores that genuine faith, demonstrated by patient endurance, is the divinely appointed means by which believers lay hold of their future hope in Christ and escape spiritual regression. It's a call to proactive, hopeful, and enduring spiritual diligence.

• Example 1: When faced with a long-term prayer request that seems unanswered, instead of becoming weary and giving up, imitate Abraham's patient faith in awaiting Isaac, or the apostles who consistently taught God's truth even when people were dull of hearing.
• Example 2: In times of discouragement due to the challenges of living a godly life, remember the unwavering commitment of biblical heroes like Moses or Joseph, who through persistent faith and endurance, ultimately witnessed God's faithfulness to His promises despite prolonged suffering.