Hebrews 12:5

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:

And {G2532} ye have forgotten {G1585} the exhortation {G3874} which {G3748} speaketh {G1256} unto you {G5213} as {G5613} unto children {G5207}, My {G3450} son {G5207}, despise {G3643} not {G3361} thou {G3643} the chastening {G3809} of the Lord {G2962}, nor {G3366} faint {G1590} when thou art rebuked {G1651} of {G5259} him {G846}:

Also you have forgotten the counsel which speaks with you as sons:

“My son, don’t despise the discipline of Adonai
or become despondent when he corrects you.

And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you.

and ye have forgotten the exhortation which reasoneth with you as with sons, My son, regard not lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when thou art reproved of him;

Commentary

Hebrews 12:5 serves as a crucial reminder for believers to properly interpret and respond to the difficulties and trials they face in life. The author, having just exhorted readers to persevere in faith by looking to Jesus, now addresses their potential weariness by explaining the true nature of God's discipline.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in Hebrews (chapters 11-12) that encourages perseverance and endurance in the Christian walk. After listing numerous heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, the author urges his readers to "run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1), fixing their eyes on Jesus. The audience, likely Jewish Christians, was facing significant persecution and internal struggles, leading to discouragement. The writer identifies their forgetfulness of a vital truth: God's loving discipline is a sign of their sonship, not abandonment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Discipline as Love: The core message is that God's "chastening" is an expression of His fatherly love, not a sign of His displeasure or rejection. Just as a loving earthly father disciplines his children for their good, so does God. This idea is central to understanding the nature of God's relationship with His people.
  • Purpose of Chastening: God's discipline aims to correct, train, and mature believers, leading them towards holiness and righteousness. It is not arbitrary punishment but purposeful instruction designed for growth and spiritual benefit, as further elaborated in Hebrews 12:10.
  • Proper Response to Discipline: The verse warns against two extreme reactions: "despising" it (treating it lightly, disregarding its purpose) or "fainting" (losing heart, giving up under pressure). Believers are called to receive God's discipline with humility and endurance.
  • Parent-Child Analogy: The exhortation frames the relationship between God and believers as that of a Father and His children ("My son, despise not thou..."). This emphasizes intimacy, care, and the benevolent intent behind the discipline.

Linguistic Insights

The exhortation in Hebrews 12:5 is a direct quotation from Proverbs 3:11-12 (from the Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament). Understanding some key Greek words enhances the meaning:

  • "Chastening" (Greek: paideia, παιδεία): This word is richer than mere punishment. It encompasses the entire process of child-rearing, including instruction, training, education, and discipline. It speaks to a holistic formation of character.
  • "Despise" (Greek: oligoreo, ὀλιγωρέω): To think little of, to disregard, to neglect, or to treat with contempt. It implies a casual or disdainful attitude towards God's corrective hand.
  • "Faint" (Greek: ekluo, ἐκλύω): To relax, grow weary, lose heart, or give up. This describes spiritual fatigue or despondency that can set in during prolonged trials.
  • "Rebuked" (Greek: elencho, ἐλέγχω): To convict, reprove, expose, or bring to light. It signifies a correction that reveals truth or error, often leading to conviction.

Practical Application

For believers today, Hebrews 12:5 offers profound comfort and guidance when facing difficulties, suffering, or spiritual correction:

  • Reframe Suffering: Instead of viewing trials as random misfortune or God's judgment, see them as opportunities for growth and evidence of God's active, loving involvement in your life. This perspective can help believers to count it all joy when they fall into various trials.
  • Embrace Correction: When confronted with personal sin or spiritual immaturity, do not resist or resent the correction. Humbly receive it as God's loving guidance to align your life with His will.
  • Persevere Through Weariness: When the Christian journey feels overwhelming or exhausting, remember that losing heart is not the proper response. God's discipline is designed to strengthen, not destroy. Trust that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.
  • Recognize God's Fatherhood: This verse reinforces the intimate and caring relationship God desires with His children. He disciplines because He loves, desiring their ultimate good and holiness, just as Revelation 3:19 also affirms.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 3:11

    My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

  • Proverbs 3:12

    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:

  • Job 5:18

    For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

  • Revelation 3:19

    As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:32

    But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

  • Psalms 94:12

    ¶ Blessed [is] the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;