Heb 12:9

“"Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence." Again, he reasons from their own experiences, from what they themselves suffered. For as he says above, "Call to mind the former days," so here also "God" (he saith) "dealeth with you as with sons," and ye could not say, We cannot bear it: yea, "as with sons" tenderly beloved. For if they reverence their "fathers of the flesh," how shall not you reverence your heavenly Father?”

“"Furthermore," he saith, "we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live?" ("To the Father of spirits," whether of spiritual gifts, or of prayers, or of the incorporeal powers.) If we die thus, then "we shall live. For they indeed for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure," for what seems so is not always profitable, but "He for our profit."”

“Based on their own circumstances, he again shows that it is necessary to endure. For if, when our fathers according to the flesh disciplined us, we did not dare to withdraw, but, being subjected to shame, patiently bore everything they inflicted upon us, then how much more now, when God disciplines us. Notice, he did not say: let us endure all the more, but: "we should submit," showing that not to endure afflictions is the act of an adversary and enemy of God. "Father of spirits," either of gifts, or of incorporeal powers, or, what is closest of all, Father of souls. For in contrast to fleshly fathers, he called Him spiritual. And he added: "that we may live," in order to show that the one who does not obey does not even live, for he is outside of God, Who is life.”

“679. – Then (v. 9) he gives the second reason drawn from our own experience, namely, paternal correction. This proceeds according to the twofold difference between God the Father and the father of our flesh. The first difference is that a man begets a man as to the body, but not as to the soul, which is created and not transmitted: 'I have not given you a spirit and a soul' (2 Macc 7:22); hence, he says, We have had earthly fathers to discipline us: 'Have you children? Instruct them' (Sir. 7:25). And we respected them: 'Honor your father and your mother' (Ex. 20:12). But God is our Father in a more excellent way, namely, as to the soul, which He creates: 'The spirit will return to God who gave it' (Ec 12:7). Furthermore, He makes the soul just by adopting us as sons: 'The Spirit gives testimony to our spirit that we are the sons of God' (Rom. 8:16). Hence, he says, shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits, i.e., our souls, which are called spirits, because they are not evolved from matter, and live? for the end of obedience is everlasting life: 'If anyone keep my word, he will not taste death forever' (Jn. 8:52); 'He became to all that obey him the cause of eternal salvation' (Heb. 5:9).”

“fathers . . . which corrected us--rather as Greek, "We had the fathers of our flesh as correctors." subjection--See the punishment of insubordination, Deu 21:18. Father of spirits--contrasted with "the fathers of our flesh." "Generation by men is carnal, by God is spiritual" [BENGEL]. As "Father of spirits," He is both the Originator, and the Providential and Gracious Sustainer, at once of animal and spiritual life. Compare "and LIVE," namely, spiritually; also Heb 12:10, "that we might be partakers of His holiness" (Pe2 1:4). God is a spirit Himself, and the Creator of spirits like Himself, in contrast to men who are flesh, and the progenitors of flesh (Joh 3:6). Jesus our pattern "learned obedience" experimentally by suffering (Heb 5:8). and live--and so, thereby live spiritually and eternally.”