Hebrews 6:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 6:12

Imitating the inheritors of the promises. "That ye be not slothful, but followers of them," etc. Great is our ignorance as to the life and condition of those who have left this world. The ancient heathens speculated as to the state and circumstances of the departed. The Old Testament Scriptures afforded some light on the question; but not very much. "Our Savior Jesus Christ abolished death, and brought life and incorruption to light through the gospel." But still at times anxious inquiries... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Hebrews 6:12

Imitation of those who inherit the promises. I. THOSE WHO ARE TO BE IMITATED . "Followers" they are called in our version, but they are followers in that particular respect which is known as imitation. And if we are to imitate, we must have some distinct and sufficient view of those whom we imitate. Abraham is singled out here, and truly there could be no better example of the firm believer in God's promises. We have him receiving those promises, acting upon them as real... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 6:12

That ye be not slothful - Indolent; inactive. This was what he was especially desirous of guarding them against. By diligent and strenuous effort only could they secure themselves from the danger of apostasy.But followers - Imitators - that you may live as they lived.Of them who through faith and patience - By faith, or confidence in God, and by patience in suffering - referring to those who in times of trial had remained faithful to God, and had been admitted to heaven. In Hebrews 11:0, the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrews 6:12

Hebrews 6:12. That ye be not slothful Νωθροι , careless and negligent, or dull, sluggish, and indolent, namely, in the use of the means of grace, or in those works of piety and virtue which are the proper fruits of faith and love; but followers μιμηται , imitators; of them who through faith In God, and in the truths and promises of his holy word; and patience Or, long-suffering, as Μακροθυμιας rather signifies, enduring long in the constant exercise of faith, hope, and love,... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Hebrews 6:9-20

Encouragement to sincere believers (6:9-20)Although some who received this letter needed such solemn warnings, others had clearly shown by their changed lives that they were genuine Christians. The writer has no doubts about such people (9-10). He encourages them to keep up the good work. They are not to lose heart or become lazy, but persevere to the end (11-12).Warnings of judgment need not unsettle the believers concerning their assurance of salvation. When God promises salvation he keeps... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Hebrews 6:12

That = In order that. Greek. hina. slothful . Greek. nothros. See Hebrews 5:11 . followers . Greek. mimetes . See 1 Corinthians 4:16 . patience = longsuffering or patient endurance. See Romans 2:4 . Compare the verb in Hebrews 6:15 . inherit = are inheritors of. promises . Compare Luke 24:49 . Acts 1:4 .Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:14 ; &c. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Hebrews 6:12

Hebrews 6:12. But followers of them, &c.— He means such holy Christians as had persevered in their sincere profession of Christ, as well as such other faithful believers as had lived in a just expectation of his coming, and were now in possession of the promises made to Abraham, which were fully accomplished. The apostle therefore encourages the Hebrews to be imitators of those who had gone before them in faith and hope, since they now saw all the promises made good, and those who... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Hebrews 6:12

12. be not—Greek, "become not." In :-, he said, "Ye have become dull (Greek, 'slothful') of hearing"; here he warns them not to become "slothful absolutely," namely, also in mind and deed. He will not become slothful who keeps always the end in view; hope is the means of ensuring this. followers—Greek, "imitators"; so in :-, Greek; 1 Corinthians 11:1. patience—Greek, "long-suffering endurance." There is the long-suffering patience, or endurance of love, 1 Corinthians 13:4, and that of faith,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 6:9-12

4. The encouraging prospect 6:9-12Even though the danger his readers faced was great, the writer believed they could avoid it. Consequently he concluded this warning, as he did the ones in Hebrews 2:1-4 and Hebrews 3:1 to Hebrews 4:16, with a word of hope to encourage his audience. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Hebrews 6:11-12

"Hope is important. Probably no movement has ever gripped the hearts of people if it did not give them hope." [Note: Morris, p. 58.] Earlier the writer had described his readers as being sluggish (lit. lazy, Hebrews 5:11). Now he urged them to be diligent and to stop being lazy (Hebrews 6:12; cf. Proverbs 24:30-34; 2 Peter 1:5; 2 Peter 1:10). The same Greek word (nothroi) occurs in both places. He wanted them to remain faithful to God while waiting patiently for Him to fulfill His promises to... read more

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