Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh Natural parents, from whom we derived our bodies and mortal lives; which corrected us For our faults; and we gave them reverence Submitted patiently and quietly to their discipline, neither despising nor fainting under their correction; and shall we not much rather From the strictest principles of filial duty; be in subjection Submit with reverence and meekness; unto the Father of spirits Who has regenerated our souls; and live And thereby at length obtain eternal life, as a reward of our patience and obedience. “Here the apostle seems to have had Deu 21:18 in his eye, where the son that was disobedient to his father was ordered to be put to death. This is one of the many instances in which the apostle conveys the most forcible reason in a single word.” By distinguishing between the fathers of our flesh, and the Father of our spirits, the apostle seems to teach us that we derive only our flesh from our parents, but our spirits from God. See Ecclesiastes 12:7; Isaiah 57:16; Zechariah 12:1. For they verily for a few days During our nonage, (so our corrections shall last only during our abode in this world, and how few are even all our days here!) chastened us after their own pleasure As they thought good, though frequently they erred therein, either by too much indulgence or severity; but he God, always, unquestionably; for our profit That our corrupt inclinations might be more and more purged out, and a heavenly, divine nature more and more implanted in us; that we might be partakers of his holiness That is, of himself, his glorious image, and heavenly divine nature. Now no chastening Whether from God or man; for the present That is, at the time it is inflicted; seemeth to be joyous, but grievous Is not cause of joy, but of sorrow, to the person chastised; nevertheless afterward Not indeed of its own nature, but being blessed and sanctified by God; it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness That holiness and reformation which gives peace of conscience; to them who are exercised thereby That receive the exercise as from God, and improve it according to his will. See on Isaiah 32:17.
Related Commentaries of Hebrews 12:9
Hebrews 12:9-11
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
10 For they verily for a few days chastened us afterb their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.