Hebrews 12:15

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Look carefully [at how you are living] so that no one falls away from God’s unearned favor, and that no “poisonous plant sprouts up” to cause trouble and corrupt many people [Note: This is an analogy from Deut. 29:16-18 being used as a warning against the evil influence of wicked people],

Cross References

Hebrews 3:12

Pay attention, brothers, so that there will not be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, [resulting] in falling away from the living God.

Galatians 5:4

Those of you who seek to be right with God by observing the requirements of the Law of Moses have severed yourselves from [your relationship with] Christ; you have fallen away from God’s unearned favor.

2 Corinthians 6:1

As workers together with God we urge you also, who have received God’s unearned favor, do not allow it to be for nothing,

2 John 1:8

Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you do not lose what we [Note: Some Greek manuscripts say “you”] worked for [i.e., the spiritual blessings you have acquired], but [continue faithful] so that you will receive a full reward. [See Luke 12:47-48; James 3:1; Matt. 20:1-15].

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be fooled; bad company ruins good moral behavior.

2 Peter 3:14

So, my dearly loved ones, while you are waiting for these things [to happen], do your best to be found at peace with God, pure and blameless in His sight.

Hebrews 4:1

So, as long as God’s promise of entering into a state of rest with Him [still] remains, we should fear that someone among you will appear [in the end] to have fallen short of [attaining] it. [Note: In this section “entering into rest” refers to Israel entering Canaan (verses 6, 8) and to Christians entering heaven (verses 3, 9) . The “Sabbath day rest” is presented as a type of both].

1 Corinthians 5:6

Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little yeast can leaven the whole batch of dough?

Hebrews 4:11

So, we should do our best to enter into that state of rest, so that no one fails [to do so] by following the same example of disobedience [i.e., as seen in the Israelites. See verses 2, 6].

2 Corinthians 13:5

Put yourselves to a test; see if you are [really] in the faith [i.e., see if you are genuine Christians]; examine yourselves! Or, do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in your hearts, unless [of course] you fail the test [i.e., unless you are counterfeit Christians].

1 Corinthians 10:12

So, the person who thinks he is standing firm [in the faith] should pay attention [to his life], so that he does not fall [away from God].

Hebrews 6:11

And it is our desire that each one of you shows the same eagerness [to live for Christ], so as to be fully assured of your hope [in never ending life] until the end [of your days].

2 Peter 2:18

[Although] their talk is big, what they say is worthless, and by [offering people] fleshly desires [i.e., sexual gratification], they lead people astray, who are barely escaping from the error of the world.

Colossians 3:5

So, put to death [i.e., stop practicing] the desires of your physical bodies [such as] sexual immorality, [moral] impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is [in reality] idolatry.

Ephesians 5:3

But you should not even talk about sexual immorality, or any type of [moral] impurity, or greed. [Note: Possibly “greed” here means “desire for more” of such things]. Such talk is not suitable for saints [i.e., God’s holy people].

Galatians 2:13

Then the rest of the Jews also discontinued [eating with Gentiles] along with Peter, until even Barnabas was influenced to go along with this hypocritical practice.

1 Corinthians 13:8

Love will never cease. But though there are [now supernatural gifts of] prophecies, [someday] they will be abolished [i.e., such gifts will cease to be exercised]. Though there are [now supernatural gifts of] languages, [someday] they will stop [i.e., such gifts will cease to be exercised]. Though there is [now the supernatural gift of] knowledge, [someday] it will be abolished [i.e., this gift will cease to be exercised]

2 Peter 3:11

Since all these things are [certain] to be destroyed, what kind of persons should you be, [if not like those] living holy lives, and in a godly manner,

2 Peter 1:10

So, brothers, be diligent to make sure of your calling and election [i.e., of your status as being selected by God], for when you do, you will never stumble [and fall away from God].

Luke 22:32

But I prayed earnestly for you, that your faith would not fail [to be strong]. And when you have turned back [i.e., from going astray briefly], provide [spiritual] support to your brothers.”

Titus 1:15

Everything is pure [i.e., ceremonially acceptable] to the person who is pure [i.e., who has been cleansed by the blood of Christ], but to those who are [spiritually] corrupt, and do not believe [in Christ], nothing is pure, but both their minds and consciences are corrupted. [Note: This statement was intended to remove the physical restrictions imposed by the Law of Moses].