Devine Scripture

Hebrews 12:14

What does Hebrews 12:14 mean?

A plain-English look at Hebrews 12:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Hebrews 12:14 means

Pursue peace with everyone and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. Peace here is not peace at any price, but earnest efforts to live reconciled and gentle with all. Sanctification is the active pursuit of holiness in conduct and heart. Seeing the Lord is the ultimate hope, and holiness is the necessary pathway—not as a self-made righteousness but as the fruit of grace at work. This verse unites relational harmony and personal godliness, urging steady, intentional striving. The command recognizes that peace and holiness require pursuit, not passivity. In a hostile world, Christians must chase both, knowing they are marks of those truly destined for God’s presence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Let your desire be for peace with all men, and to be made holy, without which no man may see the Lord;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

peace pursue with all, and the separation, apart from which no one shall see the Lord,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Follow peace with all men and holiness: without which no man shall see God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

Coming after instructions to strengthen and straighten the path (vv. 12–13), verse 14 raises the stakes: the community must actively pursue peace and holiness. This frames the vigilance of verses 15–17, where dangers that undermine peace and holiness—grace-failure, bitterness, immorality, profanity—are identified. The sequence moves from personal readiness to communal responsibility to spiritual integrity, keeping the goal of seeing the Lord in view.

v.13and make straight paths for your feet, that that which is lame be not turned out of the way, but rather be healed.

v.14This passage

v.15looking carefully lestthere beany man that falleth short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby the many be defiled;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Job 33:26

    He prayeth unto God, and he is favorable unto him, So that he seeth his face with joy: And he restoreth unto man his righteousness.

  • 2 Timothy 2:22

    But flee youthful lusts, and follow after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

  • Psalms 133:1

    Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:15

    See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all.

  • 2 Peter 3:18

    But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.

  • 2 Corinthians 6:17

    Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you,

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