Hebrews 12:14
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”
King James Version (KJV)
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Following the section on discipline yielding righteousness, this verse calls readers to the practical pursuit of peace and holiness as the path of those who would see God.
What Does Hebrews 12:14 Mean?
Hebrews 12:14 commands believers to pursue peace with everyone and to pursue holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. The verb "follow" means more than passive acceptance; it means to chase after, to pursue energetically. Peace is not something that simply happens -- it must be actively sought, sometimes against resistance. And the scope is wide: "with all men," not only with those who are easy to love.
Alongside peace stands holiness, and the two are joined as twin pursuits. Holiness refers to being set apart for God, a life consecrated and growing in purity. The verse then gives a sobering reason for its urgency: "without which no man shall see the Lord." Holiness is not optional decoration on the Christian life; it is bound up with the very capacity to come into God's presence. This does not pit holiness against peace but binds them together as the path along which God's people walk. The verse falls amid exhortations following the discussion of discipline, which itself aims at producing righteousness. Here that righteousness takes concrete shape: pursue harmony with others and a life set apart for God. Both are to be pursued deliberately, as the fitting response of those who hope to see the Lord.
In the Original Language
The Greek diōkō ("follow") means to pursue or chase after, and hagiasmos ("holiness") refers to consecration or being set apart for God.
Cross References
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
- Romans 12:18
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
- Matthew 5:8
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
- 1 Peter 1:15-16
Application
Actively pursue peace with the people around you and a life set apart for God, treating both as essential rather than optional in your walk with Him.