Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 3:12
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son [in whom] he delighteth.
12. even as a father &c.] The LXX. (reading the same Heb. consonants with different vowels) renders this clause, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth, which is followed in Heb 12:6.
The R.V., guided perhaps by the direct address, “My son,” Pro 3:11, begins the fresh paragraph there. The thought will then be: Wisdom has been commended to you by the happiness it brings ( Pro 3:1-10); but if you have to suffer in the pursuit of it, be not discouraged ( Pro 3:11-12); for it is worth the cost ( Pro 3:13-20). The argument is in reality continuous, however the paragraphs are arranged.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The first distinct utterance of a truth which has been so full of comfort to many thousands; it is the summing up of all controversies (compare Joh 9:2) as to the mystery of suffering. The apostle writing to the Hebrews can find no stronger comfort Heb 12:6 than this; the Church, in her visitation service, has no truer message for the sufferer.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Pro 3:12
For whom the Lord loveth He correcteth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
The characteristics of fatherly chastisement
The paternal relation is frequently ascribed to the Almighty, as that in which He stands to His people and servants. This reminds them that they are placed by Him under discipline, and that, if they offend, they must expect to receive chastisement.
I. A father will chastise his son with reluctance. He will try all other means first. When he does chastise it will be as one that yields to a painful necessity. So God does not afflict willingly. We cannot explain the reasons of the distinctions which are made by Divine Providence, apparently without respect to differences of character in the subjects of them. There are circumstances lying too deep for human view, which justify Gods ways.
II. A father will chasten his son with tenderness. He may be severe, he will not be cruel. When God chastens, it is in tenderness; when He sends affliction, He mitigates its severity, and does not permit it utterly to lay waste our comforts. His afflictions leave no permanently injurious effects.
III. A father will chasten his son with a view to his profit. The good of his child is his great and ultimate object. God has many gracious ends to serve by affliction. It may be designed–
1. To restrain us when we are ready to enter on sinful courses.
2. They may operate as seasonable mementoes in regard to the insecurity of our state here, and the necessity of preparing to meet our God.
3. They may be designed to try and call into exercise Christian graces, to wean our affections from the world, to awaken holy desires after God and heaven. (James Henderson, D.D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 12. Whom the Lord loveth] To encourage thee to bear correction, know that it is a proof of God’s love to thee; and thereby he shows that he treats thee as a father does his son, even that one to whom he bears the fondest affection.
The last clause the Septuagint translate , “and chasteneth every son whom he receiveth;” and the apostle, Heb 12:6, quotes this literatim. Both clauses certainly amount to the same sense. Every son whom he receiveth, and the son in whom he delighteth, have very little difference of meaning.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Afflictions are not infelicities, but benefits and comforts, because their are testimonies of Gods love, which is infinitely more desirable than any evil can be terrible. They show Gods purpose, and desire, and care to purge us from our sins, and to make us fit for his presence and kingdom. This and the former verse seem to be here inserted in the midst of his commendations of wisdom, to remove an objection against the excellency and happiness of wise or pious men, taken from those many calamities to which such persons are frequently exposed, the reason of which providence he here giveth.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. he delightethor receivethas denoting reconciliation regarding the offense which producedchastisement.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth,…. This is a reason why the children of God should not despise corrections, nor be weary of them; since they spring from love, are given in love, nor is there any abatement of it in them: when the Lord chastens and corrects, he does not take away his lovingkindness from them; yea, it is because he loves them that therefore he thus deals with them; wherefore they ought to be patiently bore, and kindly taken by them;
even as a father the son [in whom] he delighteth; as a father chastens and corrects his son, whom he dearly loves, and has the greatest pleasure in, so the Lord chastens and corrects his people; see De 8:5. There is such a relation subsisting between them as that of father and son, which flows from the inexpressible love of God to them; and which is a love of complacency and delight in them, and is invariable and unchangeable, and continues the same under all their afflictions; as appears by what he does for them in them, and by the issue of them; he knows their souls in adversity, and chooses them in the furnace of affliction; he pays love visits to them, and comforts them under all their tribulation; he sympathizes with them, and supports them; he makes their bed in their affliction, and delivers out of it, or takes them to himself: the issue is always his own glory, and their good.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Pro 3:12. For whom the Lord loveth, &c. The LXX read, For whom the Lord loveth he reproveth, and chasteneth every son whom he receiveth. From whence it is evident, that they read the Hebrew differently; and their construction is more natural, and agrees with Heb 12:6. Houbigant follows the LXX.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Pro 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son [in whom] he delighteth.
Ver. 12. For whom the Lord loveth. ] The saints’ afflictions proceed oft from love displeased, offended. And yet we have some now that tell us that God is never displeased with his people, though they fall into adultery, or the like sin, no, not with a fatherly displeasure; that God never chastiseth his people for any sin, no, not with a fatherly chastisement. But he (though a father) doth alter the set of his looks towards his child, who is wanton upon his love, and lets down the diligence of his just observance and duty.
In whom he delighteth.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
whom, &c. Joseph (Gen 37:23-36; Gen 39:20; Gen 40:23. Compare Psa 105:18); Israel (Deu 8:3-5, Deu 8:15, Deu 8:16); Jehoshaphat (2Ch 20:35-37); Paul (2Co 12:7).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Pro 29:17, Deu 8:5, Psa 103:13
Reciprocal: 2Sa 7:14 – I will 2Sa 12:14 – the child 2Sa 24:12 – that I may 1Ch 21:10 – that I may Job 5:17 – happy Job 16:7 – he hath Job 42:9 – Job Psa 73:5 – They are Psa 89:32 – General Psa 118:18 – chastened Pro 13:24 – General Jer 31:20 – Is Ephraim 1Co 11:32 – we are Col 3:21 – General Heb 12:5 – the exhortation Heb 12:6 – whom Jam 1:12 – the man Rev 3:19 – many