Hebrews 12:9-11

12:9 Besides, we have experienced discipline from ¹  our earthly fathers ²  and we respected them; shall we not submit ourselves all the more to the Father of spirits and receive life? ³  12:10 For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share his holiness. 12:11 Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. ⁴  But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness ⁵  for those trained by it.

[12:9]  ¹ tn Grk “we had our earthly fathers as discipliners.”

[12:9]  ² tn Grk “the fathers of our flesh.” In Hebrews, “flesh” is a characteristic way of speaking about outward, physical, earthly life (cf. Heb 5:7; 9:10, 13), as opposed to the inward or spiritual dimensions of life.

[12:9]  ³ tn Grk “and live.”

[12:11]  ⁴ tn Grk “all discipline at the time does not seem to be of joy, but of sorrow.”

[12:11]  ⁵ tn Grk “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”