14Pursue peace with all people, and the setting apart without which no one will see the Lord — [12:15] watching carefully that no one falls short of God's grace, that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble and through it many be defiled, [12:16] that no one be sexually immoral or profane like Esau, who for a single meal gave away his own birthright. [12:17] For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected — for he found no place for a change of mind — even though he sought it with tears.
HEB 12:14-17
A Call to Holiness
In the world it was spoken into
The audience of Hebrews, likely a mixed group of Jewish and Gentile believers, would have understood the call to pursue peace and holiness within the framework of their communal life. Holiness, in this context, was not merely moral purity but a consecration to God’s service, setting them apart from the broader Greco-Roman culture. The warning against failing God’s grace and the metaphor of a “root of bitterness” would resonate with Jewish listeners familiar with Deuteronomy 29:18, where bitterness leads to defilement and communal disruption. The reference to Esau selling his birthright for a meal would evoke the honor-shame dynamics of the ancient Near East, where inheritance rights were sacred and irrevocable. Esau’s inability to find repentance , despite his tears, underscores the irreversible consequences of profane actions. The exhortation to watch over one another reflects the communal responsibility in early Christian gatherings, where mutual accountability was vital for maintaining spiritual integrity.
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How other translations render this
HEB 12:14
- KJV
- Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
- BSB
- Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
- Koinōnos
- Pursue peace with all people, and the setting apart without which no one will see the Lord —
HEB 12:15
- KJV
- Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
- BSB
- See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.
- Koinōnos
- watching carefully that no one falls short of God's grace, that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble and through it many be defiled,
HEB 12:16
- KJV
- Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
- BSB
- See to it that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his birthright.
- Koinōnos
- that no one be sexually immoral or profane like Esau, who for a single meal gave away his own birthright.
HEB 12:17
- KJV
- For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
- BSB
- For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected. He could find no ground for repentance, though he sought the blessing with tears.
- Koinōnos
- For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected — for he found no place for a change of mind — even though he sought it with tears.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
HEB 12:14
- holiness,:The word translated 'holiness' refers to the process of being set apart for God's purposes and becoming more like Him, rather than just a state of being holy.
HEB 12:15
- observing:The term translated 'observing' carries the sense of actively looking out for, overseeing, or carefully watching over something, implying diligent care and attention.
HEB 12:16
- profane person:The word translated 'profane person' originally described something accessible to everyone, not sacred or set apart for God, often implying a disregard for holy things.
HEB 12:17
- of repentance:The word translated 'repentance' signifies a fundamental change of mind and direction, a turning away from one's former way of life, not merely regret or sorrow.