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?
Fathers of our flesh which corrected us, х tous (G3588) pateras (G3962) paideutas (G3810)] - 'we had the fathers of our flesh as correctors.'
Father of spirits - contrasted with fathers of our flesh. 'Generation by men is carnal, by God spiritual.' As "Father of spirits," He is both the Originator and the Providential, Gracious Sustainer of animal and spiritual life. Compare "and LIVE" - namely, spiritually and eternally: not die, the penalty of filial insubordination (Deuteronomy 21:18; Deuteronomy 5:10, end; 2 Peter 1:4). God is a Spirit, and the Creator of spirits like Himself; men are but flesh, and the progenitors of flesh (John 3:6). Jesus, our pattern, "learned obedience" experimentally by suffering (Hebrews 5:8).