Chastisement
Chastisement
The subject of chastisement and chastening is frequently mentioned in the OT and the NT. The NT terms are and , which correspond to and of the OT. In classical usage these words refer to the whole of the education of the , including the training of the body. Sometimes they are used of the results of the whole process. They do not contain, however, the idea of chastisement. In the OT, Apocrypha, and NT this idea of correction, discipline, chastening, is added to that of the general cultivation of mind and morals: the education is per molestias (Augustine, Enarr. in Pss., 119:66); see Luk 23:16, Heb 12:5; Heb 12:7-8, Rev 3:19; cf. Lev 26:18, Psa 6:1, Isa 53:5, Sir 4:17; Sir 22:6, 2Ma 6:12 (see Westcott on Heb 12:7; Trench, NT Syn.8, 1876, p. 23; Milligan, Greek Papyri, 1910, p. 94). In Act 7:22 there is found the only NT instance of the verb in its general Greek sense. In 2Ti 3:16 the noun is used for disciplinary instruction, the correction of mistakes and curbing of passions, that virtue may be increased. Pilate uses the verb in speaking of the terrible scourging of Jesus (Luk 23:16; Luk 23:22; cf. Deu 22:18), but it is a very mild term for the fearful flagellatio.
Chastisement, as part of the moral discipline of character, is the positive duty of a father (Eph 6:4). In this passage, chastening is substituted by Revised Version for Authorized Version nurture, which is too weak a word, but discipline might be better still. The same idea of parental correction of the faults of children is found in Heb 12:9, where the fathers are described as (cf. Plato, Dialogues, translation Jowett, 1892, index, s.v. education). In this fatherly fashion God Himself chastens His children for their ultimate good (Heb 12:4-11; cf. Pro 3:11 f., Rev 3:19). The evils with which God visits men are rods of chastisement (1Co 11:32, 2Co 6:9; cf. Pro 19:18; Pro 29:17, Wis 3:4 ff; Wis 11:10 ff., 2Ma 6:16; 2Ma 10:4). Such treatment is not a sign of antipathy or rejection, but an evidence of true love. God does not leave His wayward children to their fate, but strives to bring them to becoming reverence and reformation. Sometimes the chastisement is of such a terrible character that the one who suffers is said to be delivered unto Satan (1Co 5:5, 1Ti 1:20; cf. Job 2:6, Psa 109:6 m, Act 26:18). But even in these cases the ultimate object is the recovery of the sinner, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus and that they might be taught not to blaspheme. The thorn in the flesh afflicted St. Paul so grievously that he called it a messenger of Satan (2Co 12:7 ff.; cf. Luk 13:16, Jub. x. 2), But it saved him from being exalted overmuch and became a means of such abundant grace that he was led positively to glory in his weakness. This same grace of God, which brings salvation to all who receive it, does not always appear in gentle instruction, but sometimes takes the form of stern chastisement; in a word, whatever means is necessary for the perfect redemption of the soul, that means will grace employ (see Tit 2:11 ff.). To those who submit to this process of chastening, the rewards are immense and enduring. Compared with them the affliction is light, and the pain of the present moment is transformed into an eternal weight of glory (2Co 4:16-18).
As to the relation between and , chastening and admonition of Eph 6:4, T. K. Abbott (Eph. and Col. [International Critical Commentary , 1897] 178) maintains that is, as in classical writers, the more general, the more specific term, for instruction and admonition. On the other hand, Grotius, followed by Ellicott, Alford, and many others, declares: hic significare videtur institutionem per poenas; autem est ea institutio quae fit verbis. The Vulgate translates in disciplina et correptione. The probability is that the former word refers to training by act and discipline, the latter to training by word. See also Admonition and Discipline.
Literature.-H. A. A. Kennedy. Sources of NT Greek, 1895, p. 101; R. C. Trench, NT Synonyms8, 1876, p. 107f.; H. B. Swete, The Apocalypse of St. John2, 1907, p. 63; the Commentaries on Ephesians, esp. J. Armitage Robinson, 1903; Expository Times xiv. [1902-03] 272; see also articles Chastening and Nurture in Hasting’s Dictionary of the Bible (5 vols) .
H. Cariss J. Sidnell.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
CHASTISEMENT
Parents have a responsibility to discipline their children when they do wrong, but any punishment involved must arise out of love. The punishment is therefore better called chastisement. Parents who love their children will not ignore their childrens wrongdoing, but will deal with it (Heb 12:6-9; cf. 2Sa 7:14-15; Psa 89:26-33).
Chastisement should be both a penalty for wrongdoing and a form of training. It should teach children to avoid what is wrong and do what is right, and so develop lives that are useful to themselves and to others (Pro 13:24; Pro 22:15; Pro 23:14; Pro 29:15). Parents, when chastising their children, therefore should act with proper understanding and without bad temper (Eph 6:4).
As parents correct and train their children, so God disciplines his children. Such discipline is proof to believers that they are Gods children and that he loves them (Deu 8:5; Pro 3:11; Heb 12:5-11; Rev 3:19). Gods purpose in disciplining his children is to correct their faults, teach them obedience, and make them more into the sorts of people that he, in his superior wisdom, wants them to be (Psa 94:12; 1Co 11:32).
In carrying out this purpose, God may send his people various trials, such as suffering, defeat and loss. Sometimes these trials may be punishments for specific sins, but at other times they may not have any direct relation to wrongdoing (Psa 38:1-4; Psa 118:18; Joh 9:1-3; 2Co 1:3-7; 2Co 12:7-10). They are simply the means God uses to remove imperfections from his people and bring them closer to the fulness of growth he desires for them. Because he loves them, he will be satisfied with nothing less than their perfection (Eph 5:25-27; cf. Heb 5:8-9; see also SUFFERING; TESTING).
Fuente: Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
Chastisement
From God
Lev 26:28; Deu 11:2-9; 2Sa 7:14-15; 2Ch 6:24-31; 2Ch 7:13-14; Job 5:17; Job 33:19; Psa 6:1; Psa 38:1; Psa 73:14; Psa 89:32; Psa 94:12-13; Psa 101:3; Psa 106:43-44; Psa 107:17-21; Psa 107:23-30; Psa 118:18; Psa 119:67; Psa 119:75; Pro 3:11-12; Isa 26:16; Isa 42:25; Isa 53:4-5; Isa 57:16-18; Jer 2:30; Jer 30:14; Jer 31:18-20; Jer 46:28; Lam 1:5; Hos 7:12; Hos 10:10; Hag 2:17; Heb 12:5-11; Rev 3:19 Affliction, Design of; Judgments; Punishment; Wicked, Punishment of