Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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:
5. And ye have forgotten ] “Yet ye have utterly forgotten,” or possibly the words may be intended interrogatively “Yet have ye utterly forgotten?”
the exhortation ] “the encouragement,” or “strengthening consolation.”
speaketh ] “discourseth,” or “reasoneth” ( dialegetai).
My son ] The quotation is from Pro 3:11-12, and is taken mainly from the LXX. There is a very similar passage in Job 5:17, and Philo, de Congr. quaerend. erudit. gr. (Opp. i. 544).
despise not ] “Regard not lightly.”
the chastening ] Rather, “the training.”
nor faint ] In the Hebrew it is “and loathe not His correction.”
rebuked ] Rather, “tested,” “corrected.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And ye have forgotten the exhortation – This exhortation is found in Pro 3:11-12. The object of the apostle in introducing it here is, to show that afflictions were designed on the part of God to produce some happy effects in the lives of his people, and that they ought, therefore, to bear them patiently. In the previous verses, he directs them to the example of the Saviour. In this verse and the following, for the same object he directs their attention to the design of trials, showing that they are necessary to our welfare, and that they are in fact proof of the paternal care of God. This verse might be rendered as a question. And have ye forgotten? etc. This mode of rendering it will agree somewhat better with the design of the apostle.
Which speaketh, unto you – Which may be regarded as addressed to you; or which involves a principle as applicable to you as to others. He does not mean that when Solomon used the words, he had reference to them particularly, but that he used them with reference to the children of God, and they might therefore be applied to them. in this way we may regard the language of the Scriptures as addressed to us.
As unto children – As if he were addressing children. The language is such as a father uses.
My son – It is possible that in these words Solomon may have intended to address a son literally, giving him paternal counsel; or he may have spoken as the Head of the Jewish people, designing to address all the pious, to whom he sustained, as it were, the relation of a father. Or, it is possible also, that it may be regarded as the language of God himself addressing his children. Whichever supposition is adopted, the sense is substantially the same.
Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord – Literally, Do not regard it as a small matter, or as a trivial thing – oligorei. The Greek word used here does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. The word rendered here chastening – paideia – and also in Heb 12:6-8, and in Heb 12:9, corrected – paideutas – does not refer to affliction in general, but that kind of affliction which is designed to correct us for our faults, or which is of the nature of discipline. The verb properly relates to the training up of a child – including instruction, counsel, discipline, and correction (see this use of the verb in Act 7:22; 2Ti 2:25; Tit 2:12), and then especially discipline or correction for faults – to correct, chastise, chasten; 1Co 11:32; 2Co 6:9; Rev 3:19. This is the meaning here; and the idea is, not that God will afflict his people in general, but that if they wander away he will correct them for their faults. He will bring calamity upon them as a punishment for their offences, and in order to bring them back to himself. He will not suffer them to wander away unrebuked and unchecked, but will mercifully reclaim them though by great sufferings. Afflictions have many objects, or produce many happy effects. That referred to here is, that they are means of reclaiming the wandering and erring children of God, and are proofs of his paternal care and love; compare 2Sa 7:14; 2Sa 12:13-14; Psa 89:31-34; Pro 3:11-12. Afflictions, which are always sent by God, should not be regarded as small matters, for these reasons:
- The fact that they are sent by God. Whatever he does is of importance, and is worthy of the profound attention of people.
(2)They are sent for some important purpose, and they should be regarded, therefore, with attentive concern.
Men despise them when:
(1)They treat them with affected or real unconcern;
(2)When they fail to receive them as divine admonitions, and regard them as without any intelligent design; and,
(3)When they receive them with expressions of contempt, and speak of them and of the government of God with scorn.
It should be a matter of deep concern when we are afflicted in any manner, not to treat the matter lightly, but to derive from our trials all the lessons which they are adapted to produce on the mind.
Nor faint … – Bear up patiently under them. This is the second duty. We are first to study their character and design; and secondly, to bear up under them, however severe they may be, and however long they may be continued. Avoid the extremes of proud insensibility and entire dejection – Doddridge.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Heb 12:5-6
Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord
How to bear afflictions
The proposition that ariseth from the words is this: It is the duty and best wisdom of afflicted Christians to preserve themselves from the vicious extremes of despising the Schastenings of the Lord, or fainting under them.
I. To DESPISE THE CHASTENINGS OF THE LORD, imports the making no account of them, as unworthy of serious regard, and includes inconsiderateness of mind, and an insensibleness of heart.
1. Inconsiderateness of mind with respect to the Author or end of chastenings.
(1) With respect to the Author. When the afflicted looks only downwards, as if the rod of affliction sprang out of the dust (Job 5:6), and therewere no superior cause that sent it.
(2) Inconsiderateness of the end of the Divine discipline is a great degree of contempt. The evils that God inflicts are as real a part of His providence as the blessings He bestows; as in the course of nature the darkness of the night is by His order, as well as the light of the day; therefore they are always sent for some wise and holy design. Sometimes, though more rarely, they are only for trial, to exercise the faith, humility, patience of eminent saints; for otherwise God would lose in a great measure the honour, and His favourites the reward, of those graces–afflictions being the sphere of their activity. But for the most part they are castigatory, to bring us to a sight and sense of our state, to render sin more evident and odious to us.
2. Insensibility of heart is an eminent degree of despising the Lords chastenings. A pensive feeling of judgments is very congruous, whether we consider them either materially as afflictive to nature, or as the signs of Divine displeasure: for the affections were planted in the human nature by the hand of God Himself, and are duly exercised in proportion to the quality of their objects; and when grace comes, it softens the breast, and gives a quick and tender sense of Gods frown.
II. THE CAUSES OF THE DESPISING OF GODS CHASTENINGS.
1. A contracted stupidity of soul, proceeding from a course in sin.
2. Carnal diversions. The pleasures and cares of the world, as they render men inapprehensive of judgments to come, so regardless of those that are present (Luk 21:34).
3. An obstinate fierceness of spirit, a diabolical fortitude. Their hearts are of an anvil-temper, made harder by afflictions, and reverberate the blow; like that Roman emperor, who, instead of humbling and reforming at Gods voice in thunder, thundered back again.
III. I shall proceed to consider the other extreme, of FAINTING UNDER GODS REBUKES.
1. The original word signifies the slackening and relaxing of things that were firmly joined together.
2. It may respect the sinking and falling away of the soul like water, being hopeless of overcoming troubles. When water is frozen into hard ice it will bear a great burden; but when it is melted, nothing is weaker: so the spirit of a man, confirmed by religious principles, is able to sustain all his infirmities (Pro 18:14).
3. The causes of this despondency are usually
(1) Either the kind of affliction. When there is a singularity in the case, it increaseth the apprehension of Gods displeasure, because it may signify an extraordinary guilt in the person that suffers; and upon that account the sorrow swells so high as to overwhelm him.
(2) The number and degrees of afflictions. When, like those black clouds which in winter days join together, and quite intercept the beams of the sun, many troubles meet at once, and deprive us of all present comfort.
(3) The continuance of afflictions. When the clouds return after rain, and the life is a constant scene of sorrows, we are apt to be utterly dejected and hopeless of good.
(4) The comparing their great sufferings with the prosperity of these who are extremely vicious, inclines some to despair.
IV. TO PROVE THAT IT IS THE DUTY AND WISDOM OF THE AFFLICTED NOT TO DESPISE THE CHASTENINGS OF THE LORD, NOR TO FAINT UNDER THEM.
1. It is their duty carefully to avoid those extremes, because they are very dishonourable to God.
(1) The contempt of chastisements is a high profanation of Gods honour, who is our Father and Sovereign, and in that quality afflicts us.
(2) Fainting under chastenings reflects dishonourably upon God.
2. It is the best wisdom not to despise Gods chastenings, nor faint under them.
(1) The contempt of chastenings deprives us of ill those benefits which were intended by them.
(2) The neglect of chastenings doth not only render them unprofitable but exposes to greater evils.
(a) It provokes God to withdraw His judgments for a time. This the sinner desired, and thinks himself happy that he is at ease. Miserable delusion l This respite is the presage of his final ruin.
(b) The slighting of lighter strokes provokes God sometimes to bring more dreadful judgments in this life upon sinners. No man can endure that his love or anger should be despised.
(3) Faintings under chastenings is pernicious to sufferers.
(a) It renders them utterly indisposed for the performance of duty. He that is hopeless of a good issue out of troubles, will neither repent nor pray nor reform, but indulges barren tears instead of real duties. Besides, it often falls out, that the same affliction is sent from Gods displeasure upon His people for their sins, and is the effect of the rage of men against them upon the account of their professing His name.
(b) They are incapable of the comforts proper to an afflicted state. Those arise from the apprehension that God loves whom lie chastens Rev 3:19); for the least sin is a greater evil than the greatest trouble, and His design is to take that away; and from the expectation of a happy issue. Hope is the anchor within the veil, that in the midst of storms and the roughest seas preserves from shipwreck. USE. The use shall be to excite us to those duties that are directly contrary to the extremes forbidden; namely, to demean ourselves under the chastenings of the Lord with a deep reverence and humble fear of His displeasure, and with a firm hope and dependence upon Him for a blessed issue upon our complying with His holy will.
USE
I. With a humble reverence of His hand. This temper is absolutely necessary and most congruous with respect to God, upon the account of His sovereignty, justice, and goodness, declared in His chastenings; and with respect to our frailty, our dependence upon Him, our obnoxiousness to His law, and our obligations to Him that He will please to afflict us for our good.
USE
II. Let us always preserve a humble dependence and firm hope on God for a blessed issue out of all our troubles.
1. The relation God sustains when He afflicts believers. He is a Judge invested with the quality of a Father.
2. It is a strong cordial against fainting to consider that, by virtue of the paternal relation, He scourgeth every son whom He receiveth. For no troubles are more afflictive and stinging than those that are unexpected. Now when we are assured that there is no son whom the Father doth not chasten, we are less surprised and less troubled when we meet with crosses.
3. The apostle represents the special prerogative of God as the Father of spirits (verse 9). As a prudent physician consults the strength of the patient as well as the quality of the disease, and proportions his medicine; so all the bitter ingredients, their mixture and measure, are dispensed by the wise prescription of God, according to the degrees of strength that are in His people.
4. The apostle specifies the immediate end of God in His chastenings. God is pleased to fashion us according to His image by afflictions, as a statue is cut by the artificer, to bring it into a beautiful form. He is pleased to bring us into divers temptations to try our faith, to work in us patience, to inflame our prayers, to mortify our carnal desires, to break those voluntary hands whereby we are fettered to the earth, &c. (Wm. Bates, D. D.)
The Lords chastening
I. DESPISE NOT THOU THE CHASTENING OF THE LORD. YOU are guilty of this
1. When you shut your eyes to the Author of your affliction. Everything that takes place in the whole universe comes to pass either by His direct appointment, or by His equally direct permission.
2. When you inquire not the cause of your affliction. God does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. If therefore He sends chastisement upon you there must be some adequate cause, which you are bound to search out and discover.
3. When you resist the design of your affliction. You have long, perhaps, been convinced that you ought to forsake sin, and turn wholly to the Lord. But sin has still kept its hold on you; and you have resisted the conviction of your conscience. At length, then, God interrupts your comforts-pours contempt upon your idols; or He comes even closer–chastises you with bodily sickness, sorrow, and pain.
II. FAINT NOT WHEN THOU ART REBUKED OF HIM.
1. Although God be the Author of your sorrows, it is as a Father that He sends them. All is not against you. Your heavenly Father is for you, and, if you trust Him, will make these light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work out for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
2. Although sin be the cause of year sorrows, yet those sorrows are not the special penalty of sin. They may distress and scorch you, but you are not tormented in this flame. Earth is not hell! Your Father is correcting you rather than punishing you.
3. Although conversion be the design of your sorrows, yet, it, was never intended that these should be, the only meads used by the Lord; and that you should be left, to do all the rest. The very expression, when thou art, rebuked, implies that other methods are also employed. He gives grace for grace–a Saviour to pardon-a Spirit to heal–promises to encourage and save your soul. (J. Jowett, M. A.)
Chastisement;
There are two dangers against which a person under the chastising hand of God should always be very careful to keep a careful look out. The one is despising the rod, and the other is fainting under it. We will begin with the first; My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord.
I. THIS MAY BE DONE IN FIVE WAYS; AND IN DISCUSSING THE SUBJECT I SHALL PROPOSE THE REMEDY FOR EACH OF THESE AS WE PASS ALONG.
1. A man may despise the chastening of the Lord when he mumurs at it. Ephraim is like a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke; when a son of God first feels the rod he is like a bullock–he kicks at it, he cannot bear it. A want of resignation shows that we despise Gods chastening hand. A word with thee, O murmurer! Why shouldst thou murmur against the dispensations of thy heavenly Father? Hast thou not read that amongst the Roman emperors of old it was the custom when they would set a slave at liberty, to give him a blow upon the head and then say, Go free? This blow which thy Father gives thee is a token of thy liberty, and dost thou grumble because tie smites thee rather hardly? After all, are not Ills strokes fewer than thy crimes, and lighter than thy guilt?
2. We despise the chastening of the Lord when we say there is no use in it. It is always a providence when it is a good thing. But why is it not a providence when it does not happen to be just as we please? Surely it is so; for if the one thing be ordered by God, so is the other. It is written, I create light and I create darkness, I create good and I make evil. I, the Lord, do all these things. But I question whether that is not despising the chastening of the Lord when we set a prosperous providence before an adverse one; for I do think theft an adverse providence ought to be the cause of as much thankfulness as a prosperous one.
3. There is a third way in which men despise the chastening of the Lord, that is–we may think it dishouourable to be chastened by God. How many men have thought it dishonourable to be persecuted for righteousness sake! But, my son, thou dost not weigh the blessing rightly. I tell thee it is the glory of a man to be chastened for Gods sake. Now you who faint under a little trouble, and despise the chastening of the Lord, let me encourage you in this way. My son, despise not the persecution. Remember how many men have borne it. What an honour it is to suffer for Christs sake! because the crown of martyrdom has been worn by many heads better than thine.
4. Again, in the fourth place, we despise the chastening of the Lord when we do not earnestly seek to amend by it. Many a man has been corrected by God, and that correction has been in vain. Take heed if God is trying you, theft you search and find out the reason. Are the consolations of God small with you? Then there is some reason for it. I have sometimes walked a mile or two, almost limping along, because there was a stone in my shoe, and I did not stop to look for it. And many a Christian goes limping for years because of the stones in his shoe, but if he would only stop to look at them, he would be relieved. What is the sin that is causing you pain? Get it out, and take away the sin, for if you do not, you have not regarded this admonition which speaketh unto you as unto sons–My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord
5. Once more: we despise the chastening of the Lord when we despise those that God chastens.
II. The second evil is this: NOR FAINT WHEN THOU ART REBUKED OF HIM.
1. The first way of fainting is when we give up all exertion under the rod.
2. Again, the man faints when he doubts whether he is a child of God under chastisement. Remember the passage: If we be not partakers of chastisement then are we bastards, and not sons. Say not He has forgotten thee, but look upon thy trial as a proof of His love. Cecil once called on his friend Williams, and the servant said he could not see him because he was in great trouble, Then I would rather see him, said Cecil; and Williams, hearing it was his old pastor, said, Show him up. Up he went, and there stood poor Williams, his eyes suffused with tears, his heart almost broken, his dear child was dying: Thank God, said Cecil; 1 have been anxious about you for some time; you have been so prosperous and successful in everything that I was afraid my Father bad forgotten you; but I know He recollects you now. I do not wish to see your child full of pain and dying; but I am glad to think my Father has not forgotten you. Three weeks after that Williams could see the truth of it, though it seemed a harsh saying at first.
3. Again, many persons faint by fancying that they shall never get out of their trouble. Three long months, says one, have I striven against this sad trouble which overwhelms me, and I have been unable to escape it. For this year, says another, I have wrestled with God in prayer that He would deliver me out of this whirlpool but deliverance has never come, and I am almost inclined to give the matter up. I thought He kept His promises, and would deliver those who called upon Him, but He has not delivered me now, and He never will. What! child of God, talk thus of thy Father! say He will never leave off smiting because He has smitten thee so long? Rather say, He must have smitten me long enough now, and I shall soon have deliverance. Say not thou canst escape. The fetters on thy hands may not be broken by thy feeble fingers, but the hammer of the Almighty can break them in a moment. Let them be laid on the anvil of Providence and be smitten by the hand of Omnipotence, and then they shall be scattered to the winds. Up, man! up. Like Samson, grasp the pillars of thy troubles and pull down the house of thine affliction about the heads of thy sins, and thou thyself shalt come out more than conqueror. Let me ask those who are afflicted and have no religion, where they get their comfort from. The Christian derives it from the fact that he is a son of God, and he knows that the affliction is for his good. But what does the worldling do when he loses his wife, when his children are taken away, when his health departs and he himself is nigh unto death? I leave him to answer. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The aim of Divine chastisement
Whom He loves, He loves so much that He will not let them abide in the lower parts of their nature. He will rout them out; He will drive them up. Whom He loves He means to make more of. He means to ennoble them. A king ennobles a man by putting a crown on his head: but God ennobles men by putting dispositions in their hearts. Whom He loves He chastens and scourges. That is very severe. A man may be chastised with small whips, but no man is scourged except with cord, laid on with soldiers hands. It is a horrible operation. God both chastens and scourges men, and all because He loves them. Wonderful love that is! and yet it is just your love. You have not a child whose body is worth more to you than his mind. No child of yours ever told a lie under circumstances of great baseness, that you did not feel rising against him an utter indignation, not because you hated the child, but because you loved him. All your identification with the child pleads for punishment. You said, It is my child, and he is not worthy of me; and he shall be worthy of me. As I was reading, For they–that is, our parents–verily, for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure. Great pleasure they had in it, if they felt as I did! I would rather be whipped any time than whip my children. And when my father used to say, Henry, I do not want to do it, I used to say to myself, What under heaven do you do it for then? I did not want to be whipped; and if he did not want to whip me, it seemed to me a very unnecessary ceremony! But when I became a father, I felt that nothing in the world was more true. When I had children to bring up, they so far inherited my nature that they deserved to be whipped often, and they got their deserts! It was true that I would rather have taken five blows than to have given one; and yet I put it on to them. And I remembered the precept, What your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. Do not you know what that is? Are you not familiar with both sides of the experience? Paul says, 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–God–for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness. Here is the end that God is driving at continually, by such a grand sympathy, by such a tender personal connection with us, by such a constant interference and meddling with all that belongs to us, that we shall not be thralled in lusts and the lower parts of our nature, and depart from His will, and inherit the final remuneration; but that we shall escape, and go up and be made partakers of the Divine nature. (H. W. Beecher.)
Faint not when rebuked
1. To faint when we as rebuked is to lose self-possession, or to be so overwrought, or overwhelmed with the trial, that we grow insensible to its nature, its extent, its punishment.
2. To faint when we are rebuked is under the pressure of the sorrow, to relax any duty–for praise or love–and especially to let go our holy confidences, and to take the eye off Jesus.
3. To faint when we are rebuked is to grow weary on account of its length, and not to let patience have her perfect work. (J. Vaughan, M. A.)
Submission under loss:
When John Flavel lost his wife and child in one day–root and branch cut off together–he acknowledged the bitterness of the cup, but said there was not a drop of injustice in it. Under the severest losses the Marquis de Renty was wont to go to his chamber, and drop on his knees to thank God that not his own but the Lords will was done.
Submission:
Stonewall Jackson was once asked, Suppose that these unprofitable eyes of yours, that give you so much trouble, should become suddenly blind, do you believe your serenity would remain unclouded? He paused a moment, as if to weigh fully the exact measure of every word he uttered, and then said: I am sure of it; even such a misfortune could not make me doubt the love of God. Still further to test him it was urged: Conceive, then, that besides your hopeless blindness, you were condemned to be bedridden, and racked with pain for life; you would hardly call yourself happy then? There was again the same deliberateness before he replied: Yes, I think I could; my faith in the Almighty wisdom is absolute: and why should this accident change it? Touching him upon a tender point–his impatience of anything bordering on every species of dependence–the test was pushed further. But if in addition to blindness and incurable infirmity and pain you had to receive grudging charity from those on whom you had no claim, what then? There was a strange reverence in his lifted eye, and an exalted expression over his whole face, as he replied with slow deliberateness: If it was Gods will, I think I could lie there content a hundred years! (H. O. Mackey.)
Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth
Suffering, the gift and presence of God:
This, then, is the first, most comprehensive, yet most special way, in which God is the consolation of the afflicted, that He has revealed, that sorrow is a token of His love. We have often thought perhaps, If God did but tell me that He loves me! If He has sent you sorrow or pain, He has told you that He loves you.
Suffering is in the order of our salvation; it is in order to our salvation. In the mercy of our God, it arrests the sinner; it deepens the loving sorrow of the penitent; it proves and advances the all-but-perfected. It exhibits us to ourselves; it enhances the love of our Redeemer; it is Gods instrument to make us of one mind with Himself. This, then, is the great comprehensive comfort in every ache of mind or body, that we know infallibly from Gods infallible Word that it is a token of His love. Be it disease or loss of bodily health or strength, or of clearness of intellect, the consequence of sin; be it the shame with which God filleth the face that they may seek Thy Face, O God; be it the first terror of hell, which, by Gods grace, scares the yet unconverted sinner towards the wide-open arms of Jesus on the Cross, or the last sharp pang of death, which lets the imprisoned soul go free, to meet its God for whom it yearned and fainted, we know, by Gods own Word, it is His love. Yet it is not only love, working through some fixed or some general rule of His Providence. It is something far nearer, more tender, more blessed. It is Gods own personal act. It is our Redeemers own medicinal hand. I have afflicted thee. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Happy is the man whom God correcteth. Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of Thy law. This is the deep reassuring truth, that it is not mans caprice, nor a fixed iron law, nor a combination of events, but our own God. This is the deep inward peace in every trial, that He orders each particular blow or weight of sorrow, or fretting care, or harassing discomfort or unrest, in His all-wise love, fitting each trial to our own particular temperament. He gives to each of us just our own trial, what, by His grace, will most amend us, what will bring us most to Himself, what will most draw out the good which He has implanted in us, or burn out the evil which would most estrange or ruin us. This too is not all. It is not an all-wise God, unseen, unfelt, at a distance, guiding all things in perfect wisdom for the good of each individual creature which He had made. Great were this, yea, in one sense, all; for it is His individual, infinite, personal love. He who loves us infinitely loves us individually. But this too not afar off, not only in the heaven of heavens (Psa 91:15). Trouble is the special presence of God to the Isa 43:2). He who, present with them, soothed to the three youths the flames of fire, so that they fanned softly around them, and were to them an unharming robe of glory; He who, ever-present with His disciples, then appeared to them, when the storm was at its highest, and its waves were boisterous; He, still present to the soul, now soothes to His own the fire of affliction, that, while it burns out the dross, it should not touch the soul, but should yield it pure, transfigured and translucent with the fire of love. He who baptizes with a baptism of blood, holds His own, that, although immersed and sunk deep down, the waters should not come in to the very soul itself, but should only wash away its stains through His most precious blood. Can there be more yet than the presence of God with the soul? Yes, the end of the presence is more to the soul itself than that presence itself. For it is the earnest of His abiding presence, yea, of union with God. Suffering, the due reward of our deeds, becomes, by His mercy, the means of conforming us to the Son of His love. While we suffer for our own sins, and bear about us less than their deserved chastisements, God gives us yet an outward likeness to His Cross, in that it is suffering. For on Him were laid the iniquities of us all. But we still hang, as it were, by His side; His healing compassionate look falls upon us; from His all-holy sufferings there goeth forth virtue to sanctify ours. Hence is deserved suffering by Gods mercy such a token of predestination, that it brings us near to, makes us partakers of, the sufferings of Christ. (E. B.Pusey, D. D.)
The mystery of suffering:
This, after its sort, is a kind of philosophy, a phenomenon of human experience. Everything in nature, according to the measure of its power, is happier than man. Men have been studying how to create happiness that should be unbroken in this world. They have invented a great many things, found out a great many medicines, but happiness has eluded their search. A steady flow of happiness, a soul that knows how to keep time as that watch knows how to keep time, has never been born, and does not live. We flit between light and dark blow, happiness is certainly, we may believe, the final end of creation. Whatsoever maketh a lie or causeth offence in the grand land of consummation will have been purged out, and happiness without alloy will yet be the end of every true life that by sorrow and suffering has been wrought out into the full possession of its birthright. The process or education of man in this world proceeds on the law of suffering–happiness the graduating point; suffering the academy, the seminary; and the best teachers are the teachers that inflict suffering on man. Clear down to the last vision they are highest that have been most suffering in the great school of this life. It is the law of education. Why it was made so, if you know, please instruct me. Why did God make things thus and so? Why did He make the law of suffering the law of education, rather than the law of happiness? This why pours into the gulf of ignorance. We dont know. We are ignorant in proportion as we go back to the beginnings of things. These are secrets that no science will penetrate; at any rate, not for ages yet; these lie hidden in the bosom of God. But Christ is the type of the moral kingdom of God. It was necessary to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through suffering, because He was leading the multitude, the whole worlds population, towards elevation through suffering, and He entered Himself under that august law of the universe, suffering. It is a badge of discipleship–suffering is. Men do not come to the fulness of their relation to God except through it. Now, look at the scale of suffering. The first is physical pain, which is the lowest; it is cautionary. The remembrance of it prevents a man violating some natural law; that is, some law that has its seat in the physical structure of the mans own body. It teaches men patience; it teaches men to bear valiantly. Cheerfulness under physical suffering is a wonderful victory, repining is a defeat. If a man shirks down, if he sneaks into complaints and all forms of bewilderment, and dissipated faith, he is wretched indeed, and there is no moral end gained under such circumstances. Then, aside from the suffering which comes to us through our bodily organs, there is that suffering which comes to us through the law of evolution in ourselves. The law of conflict between the lower man and the higher man, or, as St. Paul phrases it, between the flesh man and the spirit man. If, in unfolding ourselves from childhood to manhood, the process goes on by which we subdue the animal that is in us, and the passions that belong to it, by the ascendency of higher social, moral and intellectual inspirations, then suffering is more immediately and perceptibly a schoolmaster. Men are driven up higher and higher towards the citadel of God, by the sufferings which take place in the conflict between the lower and the higher man. Living largely in the West in my early life, I had the opportunity of beholding phenomena that are good illustrations. When the great western rivers were suddenly swollen, and booming freshets came tearing down, flooding the country on either side, I have seen the river Ohio, that was not a quarter of a mile wide, ten miles wide in the flood. Nothing is more familiar to the settlers than the fact that the animals are all driven from the lower places, and frequently it is the case that they mount to some round hill and the water following surrounds it, and they are imprisoned on that hill. But they still go higher up, and higher up, and higher up, until they get a place that is a refuge. Suffering that teaches an animal to go up ought to teach a man to go up. Then suffering is still on another level, where we suffer by our social relations, where we suffer with and for each other, and here is the beginning of the grandeur of the kingdom of suffering. Vicarious suffering then, I may say at last, is the law of the universe. Christ entered into the world to partake of those very things that the race have passed through, Tempted in all points like as we are, tried into all points as we are; and as it is the law of social connection that one shall suffer for another, Christ suffered for men under the same great grand law of vicarious suffering. That is a wretched child, that is a wretched man, who has no one to suffer for him. Then, higher than this, or rather more extended in its relation, is the suffering which men have in civic relations. Men are not individuals. Man is a collective animal; every man stands on his own stem, but he also stands on the trunk which holds up a million stems, and if anything afflicts the root it afflicts everything at the top. Although blossom is not identical with blossom, nor fruit with fruit, human life is made up of individualisms; but collected and made into one great organisation. And so men must suffer when society suffers. Then, next and yet higher, men suffer on account of their moral relations that unite them to man and to God and to the universe. The progress of knowledge is through suffering. One man suffers, and leaves a glow of new truth behind him, which irradiates the whole of a generation. Thus far we can see and understand. But the world is the workshop of heaven. There we shall see the consummation of that which we see but feebly and understand but partially. Many there are on earth who see no outcome; they are underfoot, they are out of place; suffering seems not only to bring to them no relief and no inspiration, but it seems never to have declared its real nature to their surroundings or to their generations. Oh I there will be a land where these things will be known; there will be an interpretation to every pang and to every tear, and to every crushing sorrow; and as for those who suffer for a noble cause, who suffer for children, who suffer for those who have no parents, who suffer for the community, though they are accounted unworthy, and are east out by the community, though they be crushed out of life and hope, and go mourning all the days of their lives, there is a reckoning–that is to say, there is to be an unfolding of the reasons of their suffering, and the results of it which do not by any means all appear upon this mortal sphere and in this limited life–it is to be made known. You do not know what is going on, you do not know all the meaning of your sorrow; God does. Do you suppose that the wool on the sheeps back knows what it is coming to when it is sheared? When it was scoured, and washed, and spun, and twisted of its life almost; when it went into the hateful bath of colour; when it was put into the shuttle, and was thrust back and forth, back and forth, in the darkness, and out came the royal robe, it did not know what it started for; yet that is what it comes to–kings wear it. The flax in the field sighs to be made into the garment of the saints. All right. Pluck it up; rot it, put it under the brick, thread it, weave it, bleach it, purify it; and the saints may wear it now. It came to honour and glory through much suffering. Suffering is Gods guardian guiding angel to those that will; it takes them up through the gate of trouble and trial to that land of perfectness and of everlasting peace. And you do not know what your suffering means? Yet you may rejoice in the general fact that somehow or other it is going to make you glorious if you are only worthy of it. Allow me still one more figure; for some may take one figure easily and some another. When this organ was built the lead and the zinc did not know what the men were about when they were melting them, and making them into pipes, and when the work was distributed through the different shops among different hands. Here you have the sesquialtera and the mixture–hideous stops unless they are masked or hidden under a great weight of sound. If you tried them in the factory you would run out with your fingers in your ears, and cry, Lord deliver me from that sort of music! Then there are the flute stops, and the diapasons in their grand under tones. With all the different parts of the organ separately made, unconnected, nobody can tell what is coming except an experienced workman; but by-and-by, little by little, the frame is erected, the stops are all arranged and in connection with the wind-chest, and now that it is an organic whole every part plays into every other part. As a whole it is magnificent; but the separate steps were poor and weak and unsatisfactory. God makes stops on earth, but He builds the organ in heaven; and many a man will never know till he comes there what was the reason of that providence by which he was trained and fitted to be of that great band of music in the heavenly home. Thus far illustrated and explained the subject will give rise to some applications. And, first, no man should hunt after suffering any more than a man should hunt after sickness. Do not regard suffering as if it were in and of itself a means of grace. If it makes you better it will come of itself. Secondly, lower animal suffering is penalty for sin; but, going up the scale, it is not punishment, but the other way. Men suffer because they are so good; they are the vicarious sufferers for those who are not good, through sympathy, through pity, through endeavour to help them, through self-repression for the development of those that are round about. I have but one more thought, and that is final–not alone in this sermon, but final in creation. No imagination can conceive the wonder, the ecstasy, of the great hour of finding out. When we have borne our body, borne our allotted suffering and pain, borne our obscurity and our persecution, borne all the troubles that go to the making of manhood in this life, unrecognised, not rated according to our moral value, rated according to the law of selfishness in human society, when at last emancipated the pauper from the poorhouse, the debtor from the prison, the broken-down man in business, who has been living on the crusts of his former prosperity, mothers, nurses, servants, whose souls were greater than their places, when at last they shall come and stand in the light of the eternal heavens–oh, what a surprise, and oh, what a dismay, when the last tumble from their heights of imagined greatness, when the first shall be last, and the last first! But oh! when the suffering is all gone, and we come to find ourselves, and come to find that the work of life, racking, filing, sawing in various violent ways upon us, has made us perfect, and we stand in the light of the other life, to see the meaning of all that has taken place in our obscure life–oh, what an hour of joy and of consolation! (H. W. Beecher.)
The ministry of sorrow:
There is no fact in human life more certain than universality of suffering, and there is, perhaps, nothing for which man finds a greater difficulty to discover an adequate or satisfactory reason. The Bible does not solve the difficulty. The Bible deals with the subject practically, and only practically. The Bible never satisfies your speculative inquiry. No question is solved by the Book so as to answer everything that you can ask. It is only solved so that yon can live as faithful servants of the Eternal One. And the Bible shows us the relation of suffering to sin. But, finally, it bids us fall back upon God. He will do right, He will make all well, He is the great consoler of man. These are the three facts that lie in this text of ours: sorrow, discipline, love.
I. THE ACCEPTANCE OF GODS MERCY DOES NOT ASSURE THE BELIEVER FROM THE LOT OF THE SUFFERER. It is perfectly true we may promise to him who accepts the gospel much joy and much pleasure. For a man to place himself in harmony with the Divine law; for him to say, No longer my will but Thine be done; for him to seek no more his ends but the Divine ends; he will find therein the peace, the calm, the quiet restfulness, enter his spirit, and will give him infinite delight. Now, this is true; but at the same time the believer will not be exempt from the conditions of distress. They will come. Natural griefs will be yours. The imperfections of his own character will distress him; the ideal that we sometimes set before us, and then the real that is ours; the picture that we would paint, and the unhappy daub that is often the result of our best endeavour; the beautiful garments that we would set upon ourselves–the garments of righteousness and glory–richer and brighter than the garments that the angels wear–and then the poor tattered rags of the righteousness that we have lost, and the smear and smirch of the secular wrong or the sensual vice into which we have fallen. Oh the disappointment through which life seems to pass until it shall reach the blessed consummation which you hope for! I promise you blessedness, infinite blessedness; but the sorrows will conic.
II. THE SUFFERINGS OF THE BELIEVER ARE INTENDED TO BE DISCIPLINES OF LIFE AND MINISTRIES OF CHARACTER. They direct the soul to its true home and life. Life eternal, remember, is a quality; it is not merely a state; and you may enter into eternal life now. Your sorrows and your pains do not belong to the eternal life; and they are given to you that you may lift your spirit out of the surroundings of the present, and that you may clothe them with the glory and the blessedness that belongs to the life that lies beyond. Yes; and these sufferings limit and destroy the evil that remains. And think of the scope it gives for the practice and perfection of the Christians virtues.
III. THESE SUFFERINGS, BEING DISCIPLINARY, ARE THE PROOFS AND THE RESULTS OF THE DIVINE LOVE. They are signs that God has not forgotten us. One of the most famous men of this city one day said to me: I know not how it is, I sometimes tremble at the success of my life. I have wealth beyond the dreams of avarice; I have success in business phenomenal even in these days of success; I have a satisfaction and joy in my family life and in all the relations of my public life that I cannot describe; I sometimes tremble with fear and apprehension. Within six months that man was smitten–smitten in what was the dearest part of his own self-consciousness; charged with an unworthy action, charged with base behaviour, and held up to obloquy because of things done in his name over which he had no control, and for which he was not responsible, but for which he suffered. Ah! God had not forgotten him. What is Gods will concerning you? It is not merely your joy; it is the bettering of your moral nature; it is the perfecting of all those virtuous characteristics that come out even in the midst of your sorrow. And it is always accompanied by some proof of peculiar favour. When sometimes your loved ones have entered into the place of sorrow, be silent; God is with them. Far off, far off, ye profane ones! was the cry of the ancient priestess. So, sometimes, should be the cry to your own souls when the presence of God is manifested in the sorrows of those you love. This is the spirit in which we should receive it, and this is the forecast of its complete removal. For the work of chastisement shall be perfected. All the dealings of God with us shall issue in the attainment of the highest conceptions of the Christian life. And when sorrow shall have done its work, we shall have entered into that infinite life where death itself shall die, and sin itself shall be forgotten, the life that issued even out of the sins and the sorrows and the death of this. (L. D.Bevan, D. D.)
Trouble for our good
The dealings of the Lord, which seem so mysterious to us, may be and often are, the answer to some forgotten petition for spiritual gifts or grace which we have desired. (Anna Shipton.)
Adversity the blessing of the New Testament:
Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament; adversity is the blessing of the New, which carried the greater benediction and the clearer revelation of Gods favour. (Lord Bacon.)
Love in pain
Years ago I went into the operating room of University College Hospital, and once saw one of the most skilled of our surgeons removing a limb. It was my first sight of the movement of the surgeons knife. I could not keep back a shudder. It made me ill to note the writhing of the sufferer as the cruel instrument penetrated the quivering flesh. I looked at the surgeons face. Not a muscle betokened anxiety. His gaze was steady, his spirit calm. His larger vision of the issues, the beneficent issues of his work, filled him with strength, steadied his nerve, and delivered him from weakening fear. The sight of his countenance made me strong. I could look to the end in calm self-control. So have I often found an unspeakable consolation in the joy of God. If He, the Lord of this pain-filled, care-laden, sin-fettered life, where misery and sin and shame abound, and the struggle is so keen, and the strife so dinning; if He is glad and blessed amid all this, it is because He sees all and knows all. (D. Clifford, D. D.)
Afflictions precious:
When Munster lay sick, and his friends asked him how he did, and how he felt himself, he pointed to his sores and ulcers (whereof he was full) and said, These are Gods gems and jewels wherewith He decketh His best friends, and to me they are more precious than all the gold and silver in the world. (J. Trapp.)
Afflictions–tokens of Divine regard
Lawns which we would keep in the best condition are very frequently mown; the grass has scarcely any respite from the scythe. Out in the meadows there is no such repeated cutting, they are mown but once or twice in the year. Even thus the nearer we are to God, and the more regard He has for us, the more frequent will be our adversities. To be very dear to God, involves no small degree of chastisement. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Divine discipline
In Southern Europe grow the larches. When they were first introduced into England, the gardeners took it for granted that they needed warmth to cause them to grow; so they were placed in the hothouses, and at once began to wither and droop. The gardeners became disgusted, and threw them out of doors. They at once began to grow, and became trees of great beauty. So it ofttimes becomes necessary for Christ to throw us out of doors into the cold of reverses, disappointments, sorrow, and pain, that our Christian characters may be developed. It becomes at times necessary that God bring upon us sore trials and bereavements that we may be brought back to Him and His service. God does not willingly afflict His people; but in order to bless us it is often necessary to put us in a position to receive and to appreciate His blessings, though it may be through severe trials and galling crosses. (C. W. Bibb.)
Divine discipline:
Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things. Far up the mountain side lies a block of granite, and says to itself, How happy am I in my serenity–above the winds, above the trees, almost above the flight of the birds! Here I rest, age after age, and nothing disturbs me. Yet what is it? It is only a bare block of granite, jutting out of the cliff, and its happiness is the happiness of death. By and by comes the miner, and with strong and repeated strokes he drills a hole in its top, and the rock says, What does this mean? Then the black powder is poured in, and with a blast that makes the mountain echo, the block is blown asunder, and goes crashing down into the valley. Ah! it exclaims as it falls, why this rending? Then come saws to cut and fashion it; and humbled now, and willing to be nothing, it is borne away from the mountain and conveyed to the city. Now it is chiselled and polished, till, at length, finished in beauty, by block and tackle it is raised, with mighty hoistings, high in air, to be the top-stone on some monument of the countrys glory. So God Almighty casts a man down when He wants to chisel him, and the chiselling is always to make him something finer and better than he was before. (H. W. Beecher.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 5. And ye have forgotten] Or, have ye forgotten the exhortation? This quotation is made from Pr 3:11-12, and shows that the address there, which at first sight appears to be from Solomon to his son, or from some fatherly man to a person in affliction, is properly from God himself to any person in persecution, affliction, or distress.
Despise not thou the chastening] Do not neglect the correction of the Lord. That man neglects correction, and profits not by it, who does not see the hand of God in it; or, in other words, does not fear the rod and him who hath appointed it, and, consequently, does not humble himself under the mighty hand of God, deplore his sin, deprecate Divine judgment, and pray for mercy.
Nor faint] Do not be discouraged nor despair, for the reasons immediately alleged.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And ye have forgotten; eklelhsye, whether rendered interrogatively: have ye forgotten? Or positively: ye have forgotten; either way it carrieth a check upon their forgetfulness of what was of the greatest importance for them to remember in the time of persecutions, and implieth a direction of them to their duty, that they ought to remember the counsel or command given by God to them, how to interpret these persecutions for Christ and the gospel, and how to improve them; and so introduceth a further help to their rnnning of the race of God with patience.
The exhortation; paraklhsewv notes properly consolation, and is here a consolatory exhortation to the management of a duty which would be highly such to them, and a dehortation from an evil which would greatly prejudice them; when it is said to speak, it is a metonymy of the effect for the efficient; the Lord in the exhortation speaking this to them.
Which speaketh unto you as unto children: these words were written by Solomon, from God unto his children in that time; and God speaks no less by him to these Hebrews, who were his children now, as to all others who are such, or should be such, children to him. And whereas it is spoken singularly:
My son, it is to every child of God in Christ Jesus, and so collectively includeth all of them.
Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord: the dehortation is written in Pro 3:11, that not one of these children should care little for, or set light by, denying all regardlessness, senselessness of, and incorrigibleness under, such smart correction as a parent gives to a child, either by himself, or by any other to whose care it is committed; but this chastening is from the Lord, the most gracious and tender Father, who can do them no evil, and will profit and benefit them by it. As they come from their persecutors for the sake of Christ, they are injuries; but as ordered by God their Father, they are so many favours to them, preventing sin, preserving in duty, and preparing them for blessedness.
Nor faint when thou art rebuked of him; nor to nauseate his rebukes, or to faint under them; neither to let our faith or hope in our Father fail, nor to sink in our love to him, his way, or truth, or religion; nor to be weary, and give over our course, because of persecutions, but continuing faithful to him to the end, Heb 12:14,15; Mt 10:22; Luk 22:28,29.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
5. forgotten“utterly,”so the Greek. Compare Heb12:15-17, in which he implies how utterly some of them hadforgotten God’s word. His exhortation ought to have moreeffect on you than the cheers and exhortations of the spectators haveon the competitors striving in the games.
whichGreek,“the which,” of which the following is a specimen [ALFORD].
speaketh unto youas ina dialogue or discourse, so the Greek, implyingGod’s loving condescension (compare Isa1:18).
despise notliterally,”Do not hold of little account.” Betraying acontumacious spirit of unbelief (Heb3:12), as “faint” implies a broken-down, weak, anddesponding spirit. “Chastening” is to be borne with”subjection” (Heb 12:9);”rebuke” (more severe than chastening) is to beborne with endurance (Heb12:7). “Some in adversity kick against God’s will, othersdespond; neither is to be done by the Christian, who is peculiarlythe child of God. To him such adverse things occur only by the decreeof God, and that designed in kindness, namely, to remove thedefilements adhering to the believer, and to exercise his patience”[GROTIUS].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And ye have forgotten the exhortation,…. Or consolation, the consolatory word or doctrine, in Pr 3:11. This, by their conduct, the apostle feared they had forgotten, and therefore puts them in mind of it; or it may be read by way of question, “and have ye forgotten?”, c. do not ye remember? it would be right to call it to mind:
which speaketh unto you as unto children not as the children of Solomon, but as the children of God, or of Christ, the wisdom of God: here, by a prosopopeia, the word of exhortation is introduced as a person speaking,
my son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord; by which is meant, not vindictive punishment; this would not be speaking to them, nor dealing with them as children, and would be contrary to the love of God towards them; besides, chastisement in this sense has been upon Christ for them, and it would be unjust to lay it on them again; but a fatherly correction is designed, and which is given in love by God, as a Father, and for the instruction of his children, as the word used signifies: and it is called not the chastening of men, but of the Lord; every chastening, or afflictive providence, is appointed by God, and is looked upon by believers, when grace is in exercise, as coming from him; and it is directed, and governed, and limited by him, and is overruled by him for his own glory, and their good: and this is not to be despised, as something nauseous and loathsome, or as not useful and unprofitable, or as insignificant and unworthy of notice, but should be esteemed for the good ends, which are sometimes answered, by it:
nor faint when thou art rebuked of him; God has various ways of rebuking, reproving, and convincing, sometimes by his Spirit, sometimes by his word and ministers, and sometimes by afflictive providences; by these he rebukes his people for their sins, convinces them of them, and brings them to acknowledgment and confession; he makes them hereby sensible of their duty, in which they have been remiss, and brings them to a more constant and fervent discharge of it; he reproves them for, and convinces of their folly in trusting in the creature, or loving it too much, and of every wrong way they have been walking in; and these rebukes are not in a way of wrath, but love, and therefore saints should not faint at them: there are two extremes they are apt to run into, under such a dispensation; either to take no notice, and make light of an affliction, or else to be overwhelmed by it, and sink under it; both are guarded against in this exhortation.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Ye have forgotten (). Perfect middle indicative of , to cause to forget, old verb, here only in the N.T. with genitive case as usual.
Reasoneth with you ( ). Present middle indicative of , old verb to ponder different (–) things, to converse, with dative. Cf. Ac 19:8f. The quotation is from Pr 3:11f.
Regard not lightly ( ). Prohibition with and the present active imperative of , old verb from and this from (little) and (hour), old verb, here only in N.T.
Chastening (). Old word from , to train a child (), instruction (2Ti 3:16), which naturally includes correction and punishment as here. See also Eph 6:4.
Nor faint ( ). Prohibition with and present passive imperative of (see verse 3).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Ye have forgotten [] . N. T. o. Common in Class., o LXX The simple verb lanqanein means to escape notice; to be unseen or unknown. Middle and passive, to let a thing escape; forget. Some render interrogatively, “have ye forgotten?” Speaketh unto you [ ] . The verb always in the sense of mutual converse or discussion. See Mr 9:34; Act 17:2; Act 18:19. Rend. “reasoneth with you.”
My son, etc. From Pro 3:11, 12. Comp. Job 5:17.
Despise not [ ] . N. T. o. LXX only in this passage. Quite often in Class. It means to make little of [] .
Chastening [] . Mostly in Hebrews See on Eph 6:4, and 2Ti 3:16.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1)“And ye have forgotten the exhortation,” (kai eklelesthe tes peerakleseos) “And ye have forgotten (failed to recall) the exhortation,” the motivation concept, as tender words of a father to avoid despising or taking it lightly when the Lord chastens. Because of sins in the lives of his children, whether sins of attitude or deed, he chastens to the point of even wounding, then healing again, Job 5:17-18; Deu 32:38.
2) “Which speaketh unto you as unto children,” (hetis humin hos huiois dialegetai) “Which discourses with you all as with heir-sons;” In this kind of exhortation, a motivation by declaring his love as reflected in chastening or correcting his children for sins of disobedience of deed or attitude, he assures them of his deep love and care for their happiness, Psa 94:12-13.
3) “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord,” (huie mou me oligorei paideias kuriou)”My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord; The disciplinary correction of the Lord has design and purpose in it that should be understood and accepted when it comes upon each of his children for good, Lev 26:23-24; Pro 3:11-12.
4) “Nor faint when thou art rebuked of him,” (mede eklou hup’ autou elegchomenos) “Nor faint by reason of him by whom you are being chided, corrected, or reproved: Do not grow weary, resentful, or in despond when he corrects or rebukes you, be it gently by causing a guilty conscience of repeated remorse for your wrong or be it sickness, affliction, loss of property or business reverse that comes to you; a fainting, withdrawn hermit or recluse can never be happy in such a state or be a good witness for him, Pro 3:11-13.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
5. And ye have forgotten, etc. I read the words as a question; for he asks, whether they had forgotten, intimating that it was not yet time to forget. But he enters here on the doctrine, that it is useful and needful for us to be disciplined by the cross; and he refers to the testimony of Solomon, which includes two parts; the first is, that we are not to reject the Lord’s correction; and in the second the reason is given, because the Lord loves those whom he chastises. (246) But as Solomon thus begins, my “Son”, the Apostle reminds us that we ought to be allured by so sweet and kind a word, as that this exhortation should wholly penetrate into our hearts. (247)
Now Solomon’s argument is this: — If the scourges of God testify his love towards us, it is a shame that they should be regarded with dislike or hatred. For they who bear not to be chastised by God for their own salvation, yea, who reject a proof of his paternal kindness, must be extremely ungrateful.
(246) “Correction” is the best word for παιδεία, as it stands for מוסר and not “chastening” or chastisement. “Despise” in Hebrew is to regard a thing as trifling or with contempt, and so in Greek it means to regard a thing as little; the meaning is, not stoical; and then the meaning of the next clause is, be not depending. “Fret not,” or “be not faint” or despairing, “when reproved” or “chastised.” — Ed
(247) Beza, Grotius, Macknight and Stuart, agree with Calvin in reading the first words interrogatively — “And have ye forgotten?” etc.
Ribera, the Jesuit, in his comment on this verse said, “The Apostle indirectly ( tacite) reproves them, because they had no recourse to Scripture in their afflictions; compare Rom 15:4.” Capellus, referring to this passage, observed, “I wish the Jesuits were always to speak in this manner, but Ribera ought to have remembered that Paul was addressing the flock rather than the pastors, and that therefore, the Scriptures ought to be read by laymen.”
The clear intimation of the passage no doubt is, that the Hebrews ought to have attended to the truths contained in Scripture. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(5) In this cowardly avoidance of trouble and persecution they have been shrinking from that chastening which every son receives from the Lord.
Which speaketh unto you.Better, which holds converse (or, reasoneth) with you as with sons. The words which follow are taken from Pro. 3:11-12, and agree with the text of the LXX., except that for son we have my son, and for reproveth (Heb. 12:6) chasteneth. In the original passage Solomon is the speaker, and it is the second verse only that speaks of Gods fatherly love. It may be so here also, but the exhortation of the Scripture seems to be quoted as if spoken directly by God Himself to His sons.
Despise.Better, think not lightly of. In the next clause the Hebrew (and loathe not His correction) denotes rather a spirit that rejects and chafes under divine discipline. As the words are found here, they point to losing heart and hope.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. Ye have forgotten Perhaps this is truly a question: have ye forgotten? It then becomes a gentle, yet reproving reminder.
Children Greek, sons.
Chastening Inflictions intended to reform, not to punish with irrevocable retribution. The good are disciplined, the incorrigible are vindicatively punished. When we suffer let us remember our sins, and be submissive. But our author puts it better even than this. When we suffer let us see in it a proof of our divine sonship, a promise of our own improvement, and rejoice.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons, “My son, regard not lightly the chastening (moral training, discipline) of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by him, for whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.” ’
He points out that they might have overlooked or forgotten the Biblical teaching on chastening and firm discipline as something by which God speaks to His children as to sons. They have clearly, in their concern to escape persecution, forgotten the exhortations of Scripture which had aided the past heroes and heroines of the faith to persevere. For example let them consider Pro 3:11-12, ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, or faint when you are reproved by Him, for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and beats every son whom He receives’. This is almost word for word with LXX which merely excludes the ‘My’.
The warning here is against treating God’s discipline and chastening as though it did not matter, or on the other hand, allowing it to affect them too much. Some shrug it off, others are devastated by it. But rather they must take it as an act of love from their Father, and learn from it the lesson that He wishes to teach them. Above all they must recognise that it is a sign of His love for them, demonstrating that He does care about what they are and what they become. It is a proof of His true Fatherhood.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
They Are Not To Forget That Chastening Is Good When It Is At The Hand Of A Loving Father ( Heb 12:5-11 ).
And in as far as they are called on to suffer affliction and tribulation, to experience discomfort, hardships and deprivation, they are to consider what God’s purpose is in such things. They are to recognise that they are actually for their benefit. For tribulation produces patient endurance, and patient endurance produces experience, and experience produces hope, and all this results in our being unashamed because we have the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who is given to us (Rom 5:2-5). Thus when they are chastened they should give thanks to our Father for the love and concern that He shows towards them.
Both James and Peter also stress the same lesson. James says, “You know that the testing of your faith develops patient endurance. And let patient endurance complete its work so that you may be mature and perfect, not lacking in anything” (Jas 1:3-4). While Peter adds, “These [trials] have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1Pe 1:7).
The chastening described here is probably to be seen as that arising because they serve Christ. Everyone in the world at times face afflictions and distress. That is the common lot of men. They are more often seen as God’s judgments rather than His chastening, although those too often have the purpose of awakening men to their sins. But when we suffer for Christ’s sake, then we can see it as chastening, for it is special to His people.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Heb 12:5-6 . . . .] And have ye forgotten , etc.? The words are most naturally to be taken, with Calvin, Beza, Piscator, Grotius, Braun, Jos. Hallet, Heinrichs, Bhme, Stuart, Lachmann, Bleek, Bisping, Delitzsch, Ewald, as a question . If we would, as is usually done, take them as an assertory statement (“and ye have forgotten”), the reproach contained in the same would come out more strongly than is consonant with the mild character of the discourse in this section. The verb , as presently after , in the N. T. only here.
] the consolation (or else: the animating address ).
] which, of a truth, speaks to you as to sons . By virtue of (in place of which there is no sufficient ground for writing, with Hofmann, ) the following consolatory utterance ( ), adduced from Pro 3:11-12 , from which also Philo, de congressu quaer. erudit. gr . p. 449 D (with Mangey, I. p. 544 f.), reasons in a similar manner, is pre-supposed as one sufficiently familiar to the readers. By , however, the same is personified; since denotes conversing with any one (here, as it were, the answering in reply to the complaint breathed forth by the readers).
] With the LXX. only: .
] despise not chastening from the Lord, i.e. be thankful for it, when the Lord chastens thee.
] nor despond when thou art corrected of Him (by means of sufferings which He imposes upon thee).
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
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:
Ver. 5. And ye have forgot the exhortation ] Or, have ye forgot the consolation? a Are the consolations of God small unto you? Job 15:11 . Do ye, instead of wrestling with God, wrangle with him, refusing to be comforted (as Rachel), out of the pettishness of your spirits, as he, Psa 77:2 ? Will ye not, as children, eat your milk, because you have it not in the golden dish? Will ye be like the hedgehog, of which Pliny reporteth, that being laden with nuts and fruits, if the least filbert fall off, will fling down all the rest in a pettish humour, and beat the ground with her bristles.
Despise not thou the chastening ] See my Love Tokens, p. 37. Count it not a light matter, a common occurrence, such as must be borne by head and shoulders, and when things are at worst, they will mend again. This is not patience but pertinacy, strength but stupidity, “the strength of stone, and flesh of brass,” Job 6:12 . When Gallienus the emperor had lost the kingdom of Egypt, What? said he, Sine lino Egyptio esse non possumus? cannot we be without the hemp of Egypt? but shortly after he was slain with the sword. When the Turks had taken two castles in Chersonesus, and so first got footing in Europe, the proud Greeks said that there was but a hog’s sty lost, alluding to the name of the castle. But that foolish laughter was turned within a while into most bitter tears. When Calais was lost under Queen Mary, those of the faction strove to allay the Queen’s grief, saying that it was only a refuge for runaway heretics, and that no Roman Catholic ought to deplore, but rather rejoice, at the damage:
At regina gravi iamdudum saucia cura,
Vulnus alit venis-
Nor faint when thou art rebuked] If we faint in the day of adversity, our strength is small, saith Solomon, Pro 24:10 ; and it is, Non quia dura, sed quia molles patimur, saith Seneca; not for that we suffer hard things, but because we are too soft that suffer them. As is the man, so is his strength, said they to Gideon,Jdg 8:21Jdg 8:21 . Joseph’s bow abode in strength, even when the iron entered into his soul, Gen 49:24 ; and Job’s stroke was heavier than his groaning, Job 23:2 . Invalidum omne natura querelum, saith Seneca: It is a weakness to be ever whining. See my Love Tokens.
a Legenda haec sunt cum interrogatione. Pisc.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
5 .] And ye have completely forgotten ( , more usually , is seldom found. See in reff.: Il. . 602, . It is perhaps chosen here, as Del. suggests, not without some reference to the sound of before and following. See var. readd.
There is a great difference among Commentators as to whether these words are to be read affirmatively or interrogatively. The former view is taken by all the ancient expositors, and many moderns, among whom are Wittich, Surenbusius, Wolf, Bengel, Kuinoel, Klee, Tholuck, De Wette, Ebrard. The interrogative view is taken by Calvin, Beza (b), Braun, Bhme, Lachmann, Bleek, De Wette, Bisping, Lnemann, Delitzsch. The ground on which this latter is defended is that, if declarative, the words would be too severe for the general tenor of the passage. I own I cannot see this. The fact of their having thus forgotten the exhortation is surely assumed below, in Heb 12:7-11 ; and from this point forward the Writer takes up the tone of reproof, which comes to its height in Heb 12:16-17 . And not only this. The interrogative form would surely be most unnatural, coupled closely as it would be with an assertion of fact, . ) the exhortation ( , as elsewhere in N. T. and especially in St. Luke (reff.), unites the ideas of exhortation and consolation. See on ch. Heb 6:18 , and on , ch. Heb 3:13 ), the which (that kind of exhortation, of which the following is a specimen: such seems to be the force of instead of ) discourses with you (so in the Acts, of opening a discourse with any one: see reff.) as with sons, My son ( in LXX: see digest), despise not ( is not uncommon in the classics, and with a genitive, as here) the chastening of the Lord, nor faint, when corrected by Him (Heb., “and have no aversion to His correction”):
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Heb 12:5-17 . The Hebrews are reminded that their sufferings are tokens of God’s fatherly love and care.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
Heb 12:5 . . “And ye have clean forgotten the exhortation, which speaks to you as to sons, My Son, etc.” introduces a fresh consideration. Calvin, Bleek and others treat the clause as an interrogation, needlessly. The is cited from Pro 3:11 , and includes Heb 12:5-6 . The only divergence from the LXX is the insertion of after . But Bleek calls attention to the fact that the Hebrew of the last clause stands, according to the present punctuation, = and as a father the son in whom he delights. The LXX instead of have read the Piel of to feel pain, and so to cause pain; certainly a better sense. In the Book of Proverbs the speaker identifies himself with wisdom, and here the words are justifiably viewed as Divine. is classical, meaning “make light of,” “neglect,” “despise”. is discipline, or correction, or the entire training and education of childhood and youth. And it is here urged that by the trials and difficulties of life God trains His children; that to view sufferings in separation from God and to be oblivious of God’s design in them is disastrous; and that despondency and failure of faith under suffering are inappropriate, for trials are not evidence of God’s displeasure, but on the contrary tokens of His love, the uniform discipline to which every son must be subjected, the emphasis falling on . , “whom He takes to Him as a veritable son, receives in his heart and cherishes” (Alford). The word is similarly used in Polybius, xxxviii. 1, 8. [The same passage from Proverbs is cited by Philo (De Cong. Erud. gratia, p 544) who adds, , f1 ; Cf. Menander’s , and Seneca’s De Providentia where the same comparison is elaborated, and the great principle laid down “non quid, sed quemadmodum feras, interest”.]
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
forgotten. Greek. eklanthanomai. Only here.
exhortation. Greek. paraklesis. See Rom 12:8 and App-134.
speaketh. Greek. dialegomai. See Act 17:2.
unto = to.
children, son. Greek. huios. App-108.
despise. Greek. oligoreo. Only here. See Pro 3:11, Pro 3:12.
chastening. Greek. paideia. See Eph 6:4.
LORD. App-98.
nor. Greek. mede.
rebuked. Greek. elencho.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
5.] And ye have completely forgotten (, more usually , is seldom found. See in reff.: Il. . 602, . It is perhaps chosen here, as Del. suggests, not without some reference to the sound of before and following. See var. readd.
There is a great difference among Commentators as to whether these words are to be read affirmatively or interrogatively. The former view is taken by all the ancient expositors, and many moderns, among whom are Wittich, Surenbusius, Wolf, Bengel, Kuinoel, Klee, Tholuck, De Wette, Ebrard. The interrogative view is taken by Calvin, Beza (b), Braun, Bhme, Lachmann, Bleek, De Wette, Bisping, Lnemann, Delitzsch. The ground on which this latter is defended is that, if declarative, the words would be too severe for the general tenor of the passage. I own I cannot see this. The fact of their having thus forgotten the exhortation is surely assumed below, in Heb 12:7-11; and from this point forward the Writer takes up the tone of reproof, which comes to its height in Heb 12:16-17. And not only this. The interrogative form would surely be most unnatural, coupled closely as it would be with an assertion of fact, . ) the exhortation (, as elsewhere in N. T. and especially in St. Luke (reff.), unites the ideas of exhortation and consolation. See on ch. Heb 6:18, and on , ch. Heb 3:13), the which (that kind of exhortation, of which the following is a specimen: such seems to be the force of instead of ) discourses with you (so in the Acts, of opening a discourse with any one: see reff.) as with sons, My son ( in LXX: see digest), despise not ( is not uncommon in the classics, and with a genitive, as here) the chastening of the Lord, nor faint, when corrected by Him (Heb., and have no aversion to His correction):
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Heb 12:5. ) And nevertheless already.-, you have forgotten) You have dismissed from your memory and from your mind. So to remember is used both of the memory and of the mind generally.- , the exhortation) An illustrious testimony to the authority of the books of Solomon. Comp. 1Pe 3:6; 1Pe 4:8; 1Pe 4:18, notes; and ch. Heb 5:5; 2Pe 2:22. This exhortation should have more influence with you, than all the words of exhorters with those who are striving in the world.- , as to sons) For it is said, , my son, most affectionately.- , my son) Pro 3:11-12, LXX. ; the rest, as far as , in the same words: and they usually translate , . For thus Solomon frequently calls him, whom in the Proverbs he instructs in the name of GOD.- [73]) (comp. , Isa 8:6), i.e. do not despise with contumacious mind. , subjection, is enjoined, Heb 12:9, in respect of chastening or discipline (), which is of a gentler character.- ) (comp. , Isa 7:16), do not flee back with a faint or weak mind. , patience, Heb 12:7, is commanded in respect , of rebuke, wherewith one is more severely rebuked.
[73] -) two extremes: refers to a contumacious mind: , to one that is broken down and weak. The former is called , Heb 12:1; the latter , not in general, but in particular, i.e. , ch. Heb 3:12.-Not. Crit.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
, , , .
. Vulg. Lat., consolationis, of the comfort or consolation; which is another signification of the word, but not proper to this place. Syr., , of that doctrine. Exhortationis, adhortationis; ofthe exhortation.
. The Syriac having rendered the word by that doctrine, adds next, which we have spoken unto you, as unto children; referring it unto some instructions given by the apostle.
. Vulg., disciplinam, the discipline. Syr., ., correction, rebuke; castigationem, the chastisement. Vulg., ne fatigemini; be not weary; ne sis remissus; faint not.
, Vulg., ne negligas: so others, neglect not: we, despise not, properly; for not only doth the word itself signify to set light bye but the Hebrew , Pro 3:11, is to repudiate, to reject and contemn. And is properly correction.
Heb 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 [or wax weary] when thou art rebuked of him.
The apostle in these words proceeds unto a new argument, whereby to press his exhortation unto patience and perseverance under suffering. And this is taken from the nature and end, on the part of God, of all those sufferings which he sends or calls us unto. For they are not only necessary, as testimonies unto the truth, but as unto us they are chastisements and afflictions, which we stand in need of, and wherein God hath a blessed design towards us. And this argument he enforceth, with sundry considerations, unto the end of verse 13.
Obs. 1. This is a blessed effect of divine wisdom, that the sufferings which we undergo from men, for the profession of the gospel, shall be also chastisements of love from God, unto our spiritual advantage. And,
Obs. 2. The gospel never requires our suffering, but if we examine ourselves, we shall find that we stand in need of the divine chastisement in it. And,
Obs. 3. When, by the wisdom of God, we can discern that what we suffer on the one hand is for the glory of God and the gospel, and on the other is necessary unto our own sanctification, we shall be prevailed with unto patience and perseverance. And, despond, if they find themselves called to suffer for the gospel, when they seem to be unfit and unprepared for it; seeing it is the design of God, by those sufferings whereunto they are called, on a public account, to purify and cleanse them from their present evil frames.
This multitudes have found by experience, that their outward pressing sufferings, between them and the world, have been personal, purifying chastisements between God and their souls. By them have they been awakened, revived, mortified unto the world, and, as the apostle expresseth it, made partakers of the holiness of God, unto their inexpressible advantage and consolation. And,
Hereby doth God defeat the counsels and expectations of the world, having a design to accomplish by their agency which they know nothing of. For those very reproaches, imprisonments, and stripes, with the loss of goods, and danger of their lives, which the world applies unto their ruin, God at the same time makes use of for their refining, purifying, consolation, and joy.
In all these things are the divine wisdom and goodness of God, in contriving and effecting all these things unto the glory of his grace and the salvation of the church, for ever to be admired.
In the words we may consider,
1. The connection of them unto those foregoing.
2. The introduction of a new argument, by a reference unto a divine testimony; and the nature of the argument, which consists in an exhortation unto duty.
3. Their former want of a due consideration of it.
4. The manner of the exhortation; it speaketh as unto sons: and,
5. The matter of it, expressed in two branches, containing the substance of the duty exhorted unto.
1. The connection is in the conjunctive particle, for. It denotes a reason given of what went before. Wherefore there is in the foregoing words a tacit rebuke, namely, in that they were ready to faint under the lesser trials wherewith they were exercised. And the apostle gives here an account how and whence it was so with them; and makes that the means of the introduction of the new argument which he designed; as is his manner of proceeding in this whole epistle. The reason,saith he, why it is so with you, that you are so ready to faint, is, because you have not attended unto the direction and encouragement which are provided for you.And this, indeed, is the rise of all our miscarriages, namely, that we attend not unto the provision that is made in the Scripture for our preservation from them.
2. The introduction of his argument is by reference unto a divine testimony of Scripture, wherein it is contained, and that appositely unto his purpose; for it is proposed in the way of an exhortation. And as this was of great force in itself, so the Hebrews might see therein that their case was not peculiar; that it was no otherwise with them than with others of the children of God in former ages; and that God had long before laid in provision for their encouragement: which things give great weight unto the argument in hand. And it hath force also from the nature of it, which is hortatory in the name of God. For divine exhortations unto duty, wherein He entreats who can and doth command, are full of evidences of love, condescension, and concernment in our good. And it is the height of pride and ingratitude not to comply with Gods entreaties.
3. The apostle reflects on their former want of a due consideration of this exhortation, Ye have forgotten. What we mind not when we ought, and as we ought, we may justly be said to have forgotten. So was it with these Hebrews in some measure; whether by the exhortation we understand the divine words themselves, as recorded in the Scripture, or the things exhorted unto, the subject-matter of them. Under their troubles and persecutions they ought in an especial manner to have called to mind this divine exhortation, for their encouragement, and preservation from fainting. This, it seems, they had not done. And,
Obs. 5. The want of a diligent consideration of the provision that God hath made in the Scripture for our encouragement unto duty and comfort under difficulties, is a sinful forgetfulness, and of dangerous consequence unto our souls. We shall be left to fainting. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope, Rom 15:4.
Again; in their trials, and to prevent their fainting, the apostle sends these Hebrews unto the Scriptures: which, as it proves that they ought to be conversant in them, demonstrates the springs of all spiritual strength, direction, and consolation, to be contained in them. And if this be the mind of Christ, then he that would deprive the people of the constant, daffy use of the Scriptures, is Antichrist.
4. In the manner of the exhortation, Which speak eth unto you as unto children, there are sundry things very remarkable.
(1.) It is said to speak. The Scripture is not a dumb and silent letter, as some have blasphemed. It hath a voice in it, the voice of God himself. And speaking is frequently ascribed unto it, Joh 7:42; Joh 19:37; Rom 4:3; Rom 9:17; Rom 10:11; Gal 4:30; Jas 4:5, And if we hear not the voice of God in it continually, it is because of our unbelief, Heb 3:7; Heb 3:15.
(2.) The word which was spoken so long before by Solomon unto the church in his generation, is said to be spoken unto these Hebrews For the Holy Ghost is always present in the word of the Scripture, and speaks in it equally and alike unto the church in all ages. He doth in it speak as immediately unto us as if we were the first and only persons unto whom he spake. And this should teach us with what reverence we ought to attend unto the Scripture, namely, as unto the way and means whereby God himself speaks directly unto us.
(3.) The word here used is peculiar, and in this only place applied unto the speaking of the Scripture. , it argues, it pleads, it maintains a holy conference with us It presseth the mind and will of God upon us. And we shall find the force of its arguing, if we keep it not off by our unbelief.
(4.) There is the infinite condescension of God in it, that he speaketh unto us as sons: which is proved by the application of the text, My son. The words are originally the words of Solomon; not as a natural father, speaking to his own son after the flesh; but as a prophet and teacher of the church, in the name of God, or of the Holy Ghost, which speaks in him and by him. It is a representation of the authority and love of God as a father. For whereas these words have a respect unto a time of trouble, affliction, and chastisement, it is of unspeakable concernment unto us to consider God under the relation of a father, and that in them he speaks unto us as sons. The words spoken by Solomon, were spoken by God himself.
Although the words, My son, are used only to denote the persons to whom the exhortation is given, yet the apostle looks in the first place unto the grace contained in them. He speaketh unto us as unto sons.This he puts a remark upon, because our gratuitous adoption is the foundation of Gods gracious dealings with us. And this, if any thing, is meet to bind our minds unto a diligent compliance with this divine exhortation, namely, the infinite condescension and love of God, in owning of us as sons, in all our trials and afflictions. And,
Obs. 6. Usually God gives the most evident pledges of their adoption unto believers when they are in their sufferings, and under their afflictions. Then do they most stand in need of them; then do they most set off the love and care of God towards us.
My son, is an appellation that a wise and tender father would make use of, to reduce his child to consideration and composure of mind, when he sees him nigh unto disorder or despondency, under pain, sickness, trouble, or the like: My son, let it not be thus with thee.God sees us, under our afflictions and sufferings, ready to fall into discomposures, with excesses of one kind or another; and thereon applies himself unto us with this endearing expression, My children.
But if God have this kindness for believers, and no affliction or suffering can befall them but by his ordering and disposition, why doth he not prevent them, and preserve them in a better state and condition?I answer, that the wisdom, the love, the necessity of this divine dispensation, is that which the apostle declares in the following verses, as we shall see.
5. The exhortation itself consisteth of two parts:
(1.) Not to despise the chastening of the Lord.
(2.) Not to faint when we are rebuked of him.
Although it be God himself principally that speaks the words in the first person, yet here he is spoken of in the third; of the Lord, and of him; for my, and by me: which is usual in Scripture, and justifieth our speaking unto God in prayer sometimes in the second, sometimes in the third person.
All our miscarriages under our sufferings and afflictions may be reduced unto these two heads. And we are apt to fall into one of these extremes, namely, either to despise chastisements, or to faint under them.
(1.) Against the first we are cautioned in the first place; and the word of caution being in the singular number, we have well rendered it, Despise not thou, that every individual person may conceive himself spoken unto in particular, and hear God speaking these words unto him. And we may consider,
[1.] What is this chastening of the Lord.
[2.] What it is to despise it.
[1.] The word is variously rendered, doctrine, institution, correction, chastisement, discipline. And it is such correction as is used in the liberal, ingenuous education of children by their parents, as is afterwards declared. We render it nurture, Eph 6:4; where it is joined with , that is, instruction. And 2Ti 3:16, it is distinguished both from reproof and correction; whence we render it instruction. And , the verb, is used in both these senses; sometimes to teach, or to be taught, learned, instructed, Act 7:22, 1Ti 1:20; 2Ti 2:25 : sometimes to correct or chastise, Luk 23:16; Luk 23:22; 1Co 11:32; Rev 3:19. Wherefore it is a correction for instruction. So it is expressed by the psalmist: Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law, Psa 94:12. So doth God deal with his children; so is it necessary that he should do. It is needful that divine institution or instruction should be accompanied with correction. We stand in need of it in this world.
But that which I would principally look on in the words, is the application of this exhortation unto us under sufferings, troubles, and persecutions for the gospel, which is here used by the apostle. For whereas we can see nothing in them but the wrath and rage of men, thinking them causeless, and perhaps needless; they are indeed Gods chastisements of us, for our education and instruction in his family. And if we duly consider them as such, applying ourselves to learn what we are taught, we shall pass through them more to our advantage than usually we do. Let us bend our minds unto that which is the proper work that in our persons we are called unto, and we shall find the benefit of them all.
[2.] That which we are cautioned against, with respect unto chastening for this end, is, that we despise it not. The word is nowhere used in the Scripture but in this place only. It signifies to set lightly by, to have little esteem of, not to value any thing according to its worth and use. The Hebrew word which the apostle renders hereby is ; which is commonly tendered by , to reprobate, to reject, to despise; sometimes by , pro nihilo reputare, to have no esteem of. We render the apostles word by despise; which yet doth not intend a despising that is so formally, but only interpretatively. Directly to despise and contemn, or reject, the chastisements of the Lord, is a sin that perhaps none of his sons or children do fall into. But not to esteem of them as we ought, not to improve them unto their proper end, not to comply with the will of God in them, is interpretatively to despise them. Wherefore the evil cautioned against is,
1st. Want of a due regard unto divine admonitions and instructions in all our troubles and afflictions. And that ariseth either from,
(1st.) Inadvertency; we look on them, it may be, as common accidents of life, wherein God hath no especial hand or design: or,
(2dly.) Stout-heartedness; it may be they are but in smaller things, as we esteem them, such as we may bear with the resolution of men, without any especial application unto the will of God in them.
2dly. The want of the exercise of the wisdom of faith, to discern what is of God in them; as,
(1st.) Love unto our persons;
(2ndly.) His displeasure against our sins;
(3dly.) The end which he aims at, which is our instruction and sanctification.
3dly. The want of a sedulous application of our souls unto his call and mind in them;
(1st.) In a holy submission unto his will;
(2dly.) In a due reformation of all things wherewith he is displeased;
(3dly.) In the exercise of faith for supportment under them, etc. Where there is a want of these things, we are said interpretatively to despise the chastening of the Lord; because we defeat the end and lose the benefit of them no less than if we did despise them.
Obs. 7. It is a tender case to be under troubles and afflictions, which requires our utmost diligence, watchfulness, and care about it. God is in it, acting as a father and a teacher. If he be not duly attended unto, our loss by them will be inexpressible.
(2.) The second caution is, that we faint not when we are reproved; for this is the second evil which we are liable unto, under troubles and afflictions.
[1.] The word, both in the Hebrew and in the Greek, signifies a reproof by rational conviction. The same thing materially with that of chastisement is intended; but under this formal consideration, that there is in that chastisement a convincing reproof. God, by the discovery unto ourselves of our hearts and ways, it may be in things which we before took no notice of, convinceth us of the necessity of our troubles and afflictions. He makes us understand wherefore it is that he is displeased with us. And what is our duty hereon is declared, Hab 2:1-4; namely, to accept of his reproof, to humble ourselves before him, and to betake ourselves unto the righteousness of faith for relief.
[2.] That which we are subject unto, when God makes his chastisements to be reproofs also (which is not always, but when we are uncompliant with his will in a peculiar manner, for which we are reproved) is to faint. The word hath been opened on verse 3.
And this fainting under Gods reproofs consists in four things:
1st. Despondency and heartless dejection in our own minds; which David encourageth himself against, Psa 42:5-6; Psa 43:5.
2dly. Heartless complaints, to the discouragement of others. See Heb 12:12-13.
3dly. Omission, or giving over our necessary duty; which befalls many in times of persecution, Heb 10:25-26.
4thly. In judging amiss of the dealings of God, either as unto the greatness or length of our trials, or as unto his design in them. Isa 40:27-31.And we may learn,
Obs. 8. That when Gods chastisements in our troubles and afflictions are reproofs also, when he gives us a sense in them of his displeasure against our sins, and we are reproved by him; yet even then he requires of us that we should not faint nor despond, but cheerfully apply ourselves unto his mind and calls. This is the hardest case a believer can be exercised withal, namely, when his troubles and afflictions are also in his own conscience reproofs for sin.
Obs. 9. A sense of Gods displeasure against our sins, and of his reproving us for them, is consistent with an evidence of our adoption, yea, may be an evidence of it, as the apostle proves in the next verses.
The sum of the instruction in this verse is, that,
Obs. 10. A due consideration of this sacred truth, namely, that all our troubles, persecutions, and afflictions, are divine chastisements and reproofs, whereby God evidenceth unto us our adoption, and his instructing us for our advantage, is an effectual means to preserve us in patience and perseverance unto the end of our trials. They who have no experience of it, have no knowledge of these things.
Fuente: An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews
Our Fathers Rod
Every wise and good father has a rod by which he corrects his sons and daughters, by which he disciplines his children and makes them mind. And our heavenly Father is a wise and good Father. Heb 12:5-11 tells us much about our Fathers rod.
One greatest evidences of our Fathers love for us is his rod of chastisement. When we are in trouble, when our hearts are heavy, I cannot think of anything that would be more helpful to our souls than the realization of that fact. One greatest evidences of our Fathers love for us is his rod of chastisement.
Sorrow
In this world of sin sorrow is everywhere. All who live in this world suffer many bitter things, sorrows that are deeply felt, leaving scars that never quite heal. The fact of human suffering is something that baffles philosophers and sociologists, politicians and religious leaders, moralists and educators. Try as they may to eradicate pain and poverty, it only gets worse.
The glaring fact that men and women in this world refuse to acknowledge is that all sorrow, all pain, all adversity is the result of sin. Because we live in a sin-cursed world under the judgment of God, because our human race is a race under the wrath of the Almighty, our world is a world of hurt and woe.
The Unbeliever
When the unbeliever, the man of the world, has to face pain and sorrow, he looks upon his hardships either as a matters of luck, or fate, or as things which must be blamed on someone. If his child is born with a severe handicap, or one of his family is permanently injured by an automobile accident, it is bad luck. In the face of such things he either becomes bitter and cynical, or he shrugs his shoulders and tries to cope with fate with as much cheerfulness as he can muster.
The Believer
For the believer things are different. We trust God who is almighty, our heavenly Father who works all things after the counsel of his own will. We know that God is love, that he loves us with a peculiar, distinguishing love. He has adopted us as his sons and daughters. He is our Father; and we are his children.
We do not feel pain any less than others. In some ways we feel it more acutely. When a child of God looks into the face of a deformed baby, or sees his teenage boy or girl maimed by some accident, as he holds the weak hand of a dying wife, as he thinks about the whole of human suffering and misery he cries from the depth of his tortured soul, Why, O Lord, Why? Why do the righteous suffer?
Often our sorrows are aggravated by the apparent indifference of our God, our heavenly Father. How often the heavens seem silent and empty. We cry out in despair with the psalmist, “Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psa 10:1) These are questions that need to be answered. But they can only be answered by God himself. And he has answered them for us in Heb 12:5-11.
Consolation
As he instructs us in this matter of suffering, urging us to endure the Fathers chastening rod, the Holy Spirit reminds us of a consoling fact in Heb 12:5-6. 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.
The opening words of Heb 12:5 are not incorrect, but they could be (and I think should be) translated as a question. Paul is not saying, You have forgotten, but Have you forgotten? The word exhortation would be better translated, consolation. In my opinion, the opening line of Heb 12:5 would be more accurately translated And have ye forgotten the consolation which speaketh unto you as unto children? This is not intended to be an accusation, but a challenge.
The passage Paul is quoting here is Pro 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. This is a blessed word of consolation that we often need. Therefore it is often given in the Book of God (Deu 8:5; Job 5:17; Psa 94:12; Jas 1:2-3; Jas 1:12; Rev 3:19).
Love Not wrath
We must never look upon our Fathers chastisements as acts of anger, vengeance, or wrath. He is not punishing us for our sins as a judge executing the sentence of law upon us. That could never be! The Lord God punished our sins to the full satisfaction of his laws infinite justice and wrath in our Substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary.
Because our Gods rod is the rod of our heavenly Fathers love, not the rod of divine justice, we must take care that we despise not the chastening of the Lord. The Lord God corrects his children in love as our Father. The very word chastening implies instruction. The Lord by chastening us instructs us.
This is called the chastening of the Lord because every chastening, every afflictive providence, is appointed by God, and is to be seen by us as his work. It is ordained by him, governed by him, limited by him, and overruled by him for our good and his glory! When we understand this, we will cease to look upon our trials and hardships as nauseous, loathsome things, and begin to esteem them as wonders of mercy. Mysterious? Yes! But still, wonders of mercy. Whatever my pain is, my Heavenly Father sent it. If he sent it, he will do me good by it. William Cowper understood this. That is why he could write, though he was constantly bombarded with afflictive circumstances
God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm.
Fuente: Discovering Christ In Selected Books of the Bible
Lord
Jehovah. Pro 3:11; Pro 3:12.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
ye have forgotten: Deu 4:9, Deu 4:10, Psa 119:16, Psa 119:83, Psa 119:109, Pro 3:1, Pro 4:5, Mat 16:9, Mat 16:10, Luk 24:6, Luk 24:8
the exhortation: Heb 12:7, Pro 3:11, Pro 3:12
despise: Job 5:17, Job 5:18, Job 34:31, Psa 94:12, Psa 118:18, Psa 119:75, Jer 31:18, 1Co 11:32, Jam 1:12, Rev 3:19
nor faint: Heb 12:3, Heb 12:4, Jos 7:7-11, 2Sa 6:7-10, 1Ch 13:9-13, 1Ch 15:12, 1Ch 15:13, Psa 6:1, Psa 6:2, 2Co 4:8, 2Co 4:9, 2Co 12:9, 2Co 12:10
Reciprocal: Lev 26:43 – and they Num 17:12 – Behold Deu 8:5 – as a man 2Sa 7:14 – I will 1Ki 1:6 – had not Job 4:5 – thou faintest Job 33:23 – an interpreter Psa 37:25 – yet Psa 38:1 – rebuke Psa 73:14 – For all Psa 103:13 – Like Isa 1:5 – should Jer 24:5 – them that are carried away captive Jer 46:28 – will I Lam 3:27 – bear Lam 3:39 – a man Hos 7:15 – bound Hab 1:12 – for Joh 18:11 – my 1Co 11:30 – many 2Co 6:13 – I speak Gal 6:9 – if Eph 1:5 – unto Eph 6:17 – which Col 3:21 – General 2Th 3:13 – be not weary Heb 2:1 – we should Heb 12:10 – but he Heb 12:11 – nevertheless Heb 12:12 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Heb 12:5. The exhortation referred to is in Pro 3:11-12. This exhortation by Solomon is based on a truth that is in force under all ages of the world, hence Paul cites it and applies it to the servants of God in the Christian Dispensation. Despise not denotes that they should not belittle or disrespect the correction. Chastening refers to the discipline that a righteous parent will exercise upon his son for disobedience. To faint means to become despondent over the rebukes of our Heavenly Father.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Heb 12:5. And ye have quite forgotten (not a question, as Calvin, and Delitzsch, and others have suggested; the fact is rather assumed in Heb 12:7-11; and a question,; after the strong assertion of Heb 12:4, is unnatural); the exhortation (blended exhortation and comfort or consolation, which is the more common rendering: see an instance in Act 15:31), which reasons with you, etc. (both words, consolation and reasons, are favourite ones in describing Pauls method of teaching, consisting as it did of argument and appeal, Act 17:2-17; Act 18:4, etc.). The quotation is from Pro 3:11-12; and as wisdom speaks there as a person, so here the exhortation she gives is spoken of as a person addressing tender, motherly appeals to all who suffer. . . . Nor faint when corrected by him. The rendering of the Greek is here adopted; the Hebrew means, to resent or to murmur against. Despondency and resentment imply the same unbelief of the loving purpose of the discipline, and they express themselves in the same outward form of complaint
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
As if he had said, “By growing weary and faint in your minds, you will plainly show and evidently declare, that you have forgotten that exhortation which God gives, Proverbs 3.” The want of a diligent consideration and due remembrance of God’s promises, recorded in scripture for our encouragement unto duty, and support under difficulties, is very sinful, and of dangerous consequence unto our souls. Ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you,-
Note here, 1. A sweet and endearing compellation, My son.
Learn hence, That good men, when under the greatest trials and heaviest afflictions, are God’s sons; he calls them sons, and he deals with them as with sons.
Note, 2. The nature of the saints’ afflictions declared; not judgments, out chastisements, and fatherly rebukes; the original word signifies such a correction as a father gives a child for his instruction, and bringing him to a sense of his duty.
Learn hence, That all the afflictions which God lays upon his children are not the effects of his vindictive anger, but the fruits and effects of his paternal love.
Note, 3. A cautionary direction given against two very dangerous extremes in the time of affliction, namely, despising correction, and fainting under it. It is the duty, and ought to be the endeavour, of all the children of God, when under his fatherly hand, to take care that they neither despise his chastisements, nor faint under them.
When God has taken away one of our comforts, to say, “Let him take all if he will; if my children must die, let if he will; if my children must die, let them die; if my estate must go, let it go;” -this is to despise. God cannot bear to see us bear his hand thus lightly.
The other extreme is fainting: If when goods are taken away, the heart is taken away, and whe relations die, the spirit of a person dies with them: Despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint, &c.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Suffering Can Be a Form of Discipline
The child that goes without discipline knows he is really not God’s child. Rather, he would be an illegitimate child, whose education is often neglected. The writer emphasized that discipline is a part of true sonship. Without it one would be a spiritually illegitimate child, which would be a disgrace. So, instead of murmuring because of chastisement, Hebrew brethren should have been happy ( Heb 12:7-8 ).
The penalty for disobedience to parents under the law was death ( Deu 21:18-21 ). Parents were to be held in a position of respect and honor ( Exo 20:12 ). Yet, it was their job to chasten the child so that it might be properly educated. The Hebrews had obeyed these fleshly parents, who could make mistakes. So, the writer reasonably expected them to obey God, who is perfect and able to rule in a perfect way. Earthly parents only correct for a short time then leave the grown child to go his own way, making his own mistakes. Yet, God stays with His children, constantly guiding them so they might one day reach an eternal reward. Of course, no one enjoys discipline when it is being given, but it is intended to bring forth good fruit. However, this good fruit only comes if the person who is disciplined lives by the law that is established through the discipline ( Heb 12:9-11 ).
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
Heb 12:5-8. And ye have forgotten, &c. As if he had said, If you faint it will appear you have forgotten, the exhortation Wherein God speaks to you with the utmost tenderness; as unto his own dear children, saying, My son, despise not thou Do not slight or make light of; the chastening of the Lord Do not impute it to chance or to second causes, but see and revere the hand of God in it; account it a great mercy, and improve it; nor faint, and sink, when thou art rebuked of him But endure it patiently and fruitfully, avoiding the extremes of proud insensibility and entire dejection. For All such dispensations spring from love; therefore neither despise them nor faint under them; whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth Or correcteth for their faults, in order to their amendment; and that he may try, exercise, and thereby increase their faith, hope, love, resignation, patience, meekness, and other graces; and that he may purify them by such fires, as gold and silver are purged in the furnace from their dross. And scourgeth With seeming severity; every son whom he receiveth Into his peculiar favour. See note on Pro 3:11-12, &c. If ye endure, &c. If God correct you, and cause you to endure chastening, he dealeth with you as wise and affectionate parents deal with their beloved sons; for what son is he whom the father Namely, the person who performs the duty of a father; chasteneth not More or less? There are scarce any children who do not sometimes need correction, and no wise and good parent will always forbear it. But if ye be without chastisement If ye pass your lives without experiencing sickness of any kind, or worldly losses, or affliction in your families, or death of children, or injuries from your neighbours, or any of the other troubles to which the children of God are exposed, certainly you are treated by your heavenly Father as bastards, and not as sons. Ye are not owned by God for his children.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Verse 5
My son, &c. This passage, including Hebrews 12:5,6, is quoted from Hebrews 12:5,6; Proverbs 3:12, through the Septuagint.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
12:5 {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:
(5) Secondly, because they are testimonies of his fatherly good will towards us, in that they show themselves to be illegitimate, if they cannot abide to be chastened by God.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
We need to remember, too, that God allows us to experience some opposition to make us stronger in the faith (Deu 8:5; Pro 3:11-12; James 1). It is easy to become discouraged when we encounter hard times. The Israelites certainly gave evidence of this when they left Egypt following the Exodus. Heb 12:5-11 constitute an exposition of Pro 3:11-12.
Another value of divine discipline is that it prepares us to reign with Christ (cf. Heb 2:10). God’s discipline assures us that we are His sons. All believers are "partakers" (cf. Heb 1:9; Heb 3:1; Heb 3:14; Heb 6:4) of discipline. The "illegitimate children" in view seem to be genuine children of God but not approved sons. (See Rom 8:14-17 for the contrast between children and sons.)
"A father would spend much care and patience on the upbringing of a true-born son whom he hoped to make a wealthy heir; and at the time such a son might have to undergo much more irksome discipline than an illegitimate child for whom no future of honor and responsibility was envisaged, and who therefore might be left more or less to please himself." [Note: Bruce, The Epistle . . ., pp. 357-58.]
Ishmael is an Old Testament example of an illegitimate child. He was the true child of Abraham. Yet because he was illegitimate (i.e., the son of Hagar rather than Sarah, Abraham’s wife) he did not receive the inheritance that Isaac, the legitimate child, did (cf. Gen 17:19-21; Gen 21:12-14). Ishmael received some blessing because he was Abraham’s son, but he did not receive the full inheritance because he was an illegitimate child.
The approved sons in view here in Hebrews are evidently those who persevere through discipline to the end of their lives whereas the illegitimate children do not but apostatize. [Note: Ellingworth, p. 651; Hodges, "Hebrews," p. 810.]
"In the Roman world, an ’illegitimate child’ had no inheritance rights." [Note: Ibid.]
God deals with apostate believers in judgment, but He deals with persevering believers in discipline (child training; cf. Heb 5:8). The writer seems to be saying that God disciplines all Christians, but when a believer apostatizes God may let him go his own way without disciplining him further, especially if he has not responded to previous discipline but has hardened his heart. God disciplines Christians to prepare us for future service, but when we apostatize He stops preparing us for future service. This is probably true only in extreme cases of departure from God and His truth (cf. Heb 6:6, where we read that it is impossible to renew these apostates to repentance).
"The author does not specify what, in literal terms, would be involved in being an illegitimate member of God’s family. The context does not refer, even indirectly, to ’false brethren [i.e., non-Christians] secretly brought in’ (Gal 2:4). The wider context does suggest that such illegitimate offspring are apostates such as Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, probably alluded to in Heb 12:3; or more generally, those who do not keep faith firmly to the end (Heb 10:39)." [Note: Ellingworth, p. 651.]
Another view of the terms "sons" and "illegitimate children" is that they refer to true Christians and only professing but not genuine Christians respectively. [Note: E.g., Morris, p. 137.] The reason I do not favor this view is that throughout this epistle I believe the writer is urging true Christians to remain faithful and not apostatize. In other words, the larger context favors this interpretation. Moreover an illegitimate child is, after all, still a child of his father. We need to understand the legitimate and illegitimate distinction in the light of Jewish and Roman culture.
"The ancient world found it incomprehensible that a father could possibly love his child and not punish him. In fact, a real son would draw more discipline than, say, an illegitimate child for the precise reason that greater honor and responsibility were to be his." [Note: R. Kent Hughes, 2:173.]
This probably explains why committed Christians seem to experience more difficulties than non-committed Christians. This is observable clearly in countries of the world where Christians are being persecuted. Christians in those countries who seek to remain faithful to the Lord draw more persecution than Christians who compromise. God is preparing committed Christians for greater honor and responsibility in the future.
"A father who neglects to discipline a son is deficient in his capacity as father, and a son who escapes all discipline is losing out on his sonship. This is a principle which would not be recognized by all schools of thought in this modern age where permissiveness has such powerful influence. The authority of parents has been so eroded that discipline rarely if ever comes into play. It has generally ceased to be a part of sonship. It is small wonder that those brought up in such an atmosphere find genuine difficulty in understanding the discipline of God." [Note: Guthrie, p. 253.]