Abstract

COETSEE, Albert J.. Strive for peace with everyone? Hebrews 12:14 in perspective. Herv. teol. stud. [online]. 2015, vol.71, n.1, pp.01-07. ISSN 2072-8050.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/HTS.V71I1.2949.

What sounds like a simple exhortation in Hebrews 12:14 has caused a great deal of discussion amongst biblical scholars. Does the writer of Hebrews command his hearers to strive for peace with everyone everywhere, or is he exhorting them to strive for peace with all the members of their faith community? Both interpretations have arguments for and against. The main arguments of both interpretations are the interpretation of the place of this exhortation in Hebrews, the meaning of the preposition μετά + genitive and the nuance of ειρήνη within this context. This article tries to determine to whom the writer of Hebrews is referring with πάντων in 12:14 by doing thorough exegesis of this verse, and by so doing evaluating biblical scholar's interpretation of πάντων. From this analysis certain implications are drawn for the first hearers and believers today.

        · text in Afrikaans     · Afrikaans ( pdf )