Hebrews 12:15

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The author writes to a Christian community, placing this warning between the command to pursue peace and holiness (Heb 12:14) and the caution against sexual immorality and godlessness (Heb 12:16).

The words — The participle ἐπισκοποῦντες (episkopountes) means "observing," and ὑστερῶν (husterōn) literally means "failing" or "falling short." Paired with μὴ τις (mē tis, "lest any"), they establish a strict imperative to monitor spiritual condition.

The thread — The warning against falling short of grace aligns with Deut 29:18, which commands checking for hearts turning away from the Lord, and Gal 5:4, which declares that seeking justification by law causes one to fall away from grace.

Why it lands — The text requires readers to actively guard against spiritual neglect and corrosive resentment, demanding personal accountability to prevent defilement from spreading to others.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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;

Cross-references

Hebrews 3:12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God.
Deuteronomy 29:18 Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations. Make sure there is no root among you that bears such poisonous and bitter fruit,
Galatians 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
2 Corinthians 6:1 As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
2 John 1:8 Watch yourselves, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be fully rewarded.
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.
Jeremiah 2:21 I had planted you like a choice vine from the very best seed. How could you turn yourself before Me into a rotten, wild vine?
1 Corinthians 5:6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough?