Hebrews 12:15
What does Hebrews 12:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 12:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 12:15 means
The writer calls for careful oversight lest anyone fall short of God’s grace. Grace supplies what we lack; to miss it is to decline the help we need. A “root of bitterness” is a hidden source that springs up to cause trouble and defile many—resentment, unbelief, or doctrinal poison that spreads in the community. Vigilance is both personal and corporate; we watch over our own hearts and one another. The aim is prevention and quick remedy. Bitterness rarely stays private; it multiplies harm. Therefore, shepherd the community so that grace is received, not resisted, and that poisonous roots are dug out before they overrun the garden of God’s people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000looking 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901looking 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Looking with care to see that no man among you in his behaviour comes short of the grace of God; for fear that some bitter root may come up to be a trouble to you, and that some of you may be made unclean by it;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862looking diligently over lest any one be failing of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up may give trouble, and through this many may be defiled;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Looking diligently, lest any man be wanting to the grace of God: lest any root of bitterness springing up do hinder and by it many be defiled:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890watching lest [there be] any one who lacks the grace ofGod; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and many be defiled by it;
Context
After urging the pursuit of peace and holiness (v. 14), verse 15 warns of threats that erode both—grace-neglect and bitterness. It anticipates the specific examples in verse 16, including fornication and profanity, and the sobering case of Esau in verse 17. The flow shows that perseverance involves communal guardrails: careful attention to spiritual health, lest small roots produce large defilement. These warnings prepare the reader for the chapter’s later, even weightier contrast of covenants and the call to attentive reverence (vv. 18–29).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 9:24
Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.
- 1 Corinthians 15:33
Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.
- 2 Peter 2:18
For, uttering great swelling words of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error;
- Hebrews 3:12
Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God:
- Jude 1:20
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
- Joshua 22:17
Is the iniquity of Peor too little for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves unto this day, although there came a plague upon the congregation of Jehovah,
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Hebrews 12
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Hebrews 12.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Adoption as Sons
God’s plan for us includes adoption into his family, bringing us from spiritual orphanhood to beloved children.
Topic
Bible Verses About Bitterness
Bitterness is a deep-seated resentment that can poison the heart, but God offers healing and freedom through forgiveness.
Topic
Bible Verses About Burnout
Scripture offers solace and guidance for those experiencing burnout, encouraging rest, renewed hope, and reliance on God.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Spiritually Numb
When God feels distant and you feel nothing — verses for the dry season.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Feel Alone
When no one seems to see you — verses for the One who does.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You're Worried About Money
When the bills outpace the paycheck — verses for a steadier kind of provision.