Hebrews 12:7-11 NKJV “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected [us], and we paid [them] respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened [us] as seemed [best] to them, but He for [our] profit, that [we] may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
V7 “If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?” The Greek word for “chastening” is (G3809) paideia ποαδβία, which means (Thayer):
1) “the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose now commands and admonitions, now reproof and punishment)”
2) “whatever in adults also cultivates the soul, especially by correcting mistakes and curbing the passions “; hence,
a. instruction which aims at the increase of virtue: 2Tim 3:16.
b. according to Biblical usage chastisement, chastening (of the evils with which God visits men for their amendment): Heb 12:5.”
Yet, this chastening, disciplining, is to be done without provoking to anger (which is abuse)–Colossians 3:21; according to age (age appropriate); in love (not beating but a few swats); using wisdom, love, and holiness to teach primarily and suffering consequences secondarily.
V8 “But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.” Real fathers correct their children, which implies spending time to teach them and test them (to see if they have learned). An assigned chore of mowing the lawn can be tested by the results. If there is no chastening, correction, etc. then the child grows up without knowing many social skills, work ethics, and responsibility.
V9 “Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected [us], and we paid [them] respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?” Respect as in giving them the honor of father, teacher, mentor, voice of experience, etc. The Father of our spiritual lives also does these various things to each individual believer. We have much to learn for obeying God in attitudes and actions.
V10 “For they indeed for a few days chastened [us] as seemed [best] to them, but He for [our] profit, that [we] may be partakers of His holiness.” All chastening of children should be for THEIR profit (soul, emotional, maturity profit).
V11 “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” See Psalm 119:67. There is suffering from consequences of our sin or foolishnesses. There is suffering for refining our lives for our purity and learning. There is suffering of persecution for our endurance. We are to remain faithful in such times by praying, reading the Bible, fellowshipping, etc. When all is completed by the Father, He then blesses. One blessing is listed here righteousness which then is peaceful to us (to be free of guilt).
We learn:
- The importance of chastening, discipling, disciplining, and correction
- The faithfulness of God to do these things in wisdom, love, and holiness
- The love of God for the chastening to be in the perfect amount
- The are blessings after we have learned