Hebrews 6:12
What does Hebrews 6:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 6:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 6:12 means
He warns against becoming “sluggish” and urges them to imitate those who “through faith and patience inherit the promises.” The pairing is crucial: faith trusts God’s word; patience endures the delay. Together they describe the path by which God’s people receive what he has pledged. The antidote to spiritual laziness is living apprenticeship to the faithful—learning their perseverance and copying their hope-fueled endurance. The promises are not seized by impulse but inherited through a life that continues believing and waiting. By keeping eyes on those who went before, believers find patterns to follow and reasons to press on when immediate results are absent.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
KJV
King James Version · 1611That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that you may not be slow in heart, but may take as your example those to whom God has given their heritage, because of their faith and their long waiting.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862that ye may not become slothful, but followers of those who through faith and patient endurance are inheriting the promises.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752That you become not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience shall inherit the promises.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience have been inheritors of the promises.
Context
This verse concludes the exhortation section by pointing to the pattern of the faithful. It prepares directly for Abraham’s example in verses 13–15, where promise and patience meet. Then the argument will widen to the nature of oaths and God’s purpose (verses 16–18), providing the theological basis for unshakable hope. Finally, verses 19–20 will present the rich image of hope as an anchor, secured within the veil where Jesus, the forerunner and eternal high priest, has entered for us.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 6:16
Thus saith Jehovah, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein.
- Hebrews 10:36
For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.
- 2 Peter 1:10
Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble:
- Proverbs 18:9
He also that is slack in his work Is brother to him that is a destroyer.
- Luke 8:15
And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.
- Hebrews 6:15
And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
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