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Hebrews 12

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

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;

Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

(For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

For our God is a consuming fire.

What does Hebrews 12:8 mean?

Explanation

Hebrews 12:8 addresses the concept of divine discipline as evidence of God's relationship with believers as a father to his children.

In a straightforward reading, the author indicates that those who do not experience discipline are like illegitimate children, implying they do not have a genuine relationship with God.

The deeper meaning here is that if someone is not subject to correction by God, it may be an indicator that they are not truly part of God's family.

The term "chastisement" in this context refers to God's corrective measures, which can come in various forms and are meant for spiritual growth and development.

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Historical Context

The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to a community of Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and hardships, which were likely causing some to consider abandoning their faith.

The author reassures them that their sufferings are not signs of God's abandonment but are instead indications of God's loving discipline, a concept familiar to Jewish readers from their own scriptures (e.g., Proverbs 3:11-12).

The epistle seeks to explain the new covenant brought by Christ and to strengthen the readers' faith by framing their hardships in the context of divine discipline.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives view this verse through unique lenses. For example:

Calvinist theology may see this verse as reinforcing the doctrine of perseverance of the saints, where those truly saved will endure God's discipline and remain faithful.
Arminian theology might argue that this verse highlights the importance of a believer's response to God's corrective measures as evidence of their ongoing salvation and relationship with God.
Catholic theology can interpret this verse as a validation of the value of suffering and its redemptive qualities as part of spiritual discipline within the broader context of sanctification.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, this verse encourages believers to view life's difficulties as opportunities for spiritual growth rather than as punitive actions from God.

It suggests an attitude of humble acceptance and reflection when facing challenges, recognizing that these might be means for personal development and strengthened faith.

Cross-References

Revelation 3:19: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
Proverbs 3:11-12: "My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth."
Job 5:17: "Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:"

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text of Hebrews 12:8 are:

"chastisement" (παιδεία - paideia): It generally refers to the education, training, or discipline of a child.
"partakers" (μέτοχοι - metochoi): Meaning sharers or participants in something.
"bastards" (νόθοι - nothoi): This term refers to illegitimate children who traditionally did not have the same rights as legitimate offspring in ancient societies.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, legitimate sons had full rights of inheritance and recognition, while illegitimate children often had lesser status.

The Biblical concept of God's children receiving discipline can also be compared to the Greco-Roman idea of paideia, where education and moral formation were essential to the development of one's character and virtue.

Scientific Perspectives

While this verse does not directly intersect with scientific concepts, modern psychology supports the idea that appropriately administered discipline and challenges can contribute to personal growth and resilience.

This can be seen as harmonious with the notion of divine discipline leading to spiritual maturity.

Commentaries

Commentators have diverse thoughts on Hebrews 12:8:

John Calvin saw divine chastisement as a necessary mark of the true Christian life, essentially arguing that all true believers will experience God's discipline.
Matthew Henry commented on this as a comforting notion, noting that suffering is a sign of God's care and not of his anger or displeasure.
F.F. Bruce emphasized the educational nature of "chastisement," indicating it is aimed at producing righteousness and peace.
More contemporary scholars like William Lane argue that such trials are instructional and corrective, not punitive, reflecting the concerns of an early Christian community striving to understand suffering in the context of their faith.

Hebrews 12

Hebrews 12

What does Hebrews 12:8 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Hebrews Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Hebrews 12:8 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Hebrews Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

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