Hebrews 12:28
What does Hebrews 12:28 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 12:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 12:28 means
Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, the proper response is gratitude expressed in worshipful service marked by reverence and awe. The unshakable kingdom is a present gift and a future certainty; it steadies us now. Grace equips us to serve God acceptably—not casually or presumptuously, but with holy fear that recognizes who He is. Gratitude is not mere feeling but leads to ordered lives, devoted obedience, and worship that honors God’s majesty. Our stability does not rest on the world’s durability but on God’s unchanging reign. Therefore, our posture should be humble thankfulness and careful devotion.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If then, we have a kingdom which will never be moved, let us have grace, so that we may give God such worship as is pleasing to him with fear and respect:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862wherefore, a kingdom that cannot be shaken receiving, may we have grace, through which we may serve God well-pleasingly, with reverence and religious fear;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore, receiving an immoveable kingdom, we have grace: whereby let us serve, pleasing God, with fear and reverence.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Wherefore let us, receiving a kingdom not to be shaken, have grace, by which let us serveGod acceptably with reverence and fear.
Context
After describing the coming removal of shakable things (v. 27), this verse turns to application: receive the unshakable kingdom with gratitude and serve God rightly. It sets up the final reminder in verse 29 of God’s consuming holiness. The sequence moves from warning to promise to worship—showing that eschatological hope should produce reverent, grateful living in the present.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Daniel 7:27
And the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
- Psalms 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer.
- Philippians 4:18
But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.
- Daniel 2:44
And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
- Hebrews 13:15
Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name.
- Revelation 1:6
and he made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
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