Hebrews 12:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

NIV: They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.

NASB: For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.

CSB: For they disciplined us for a short time based on what seemed good to them, but he does it for our benefit, so that we can share his holiness.

NLT: For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.

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

NKJV: For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.

In this passage, the writer explains why Christians should embrace the idea of being "disciplined" by God. This certainly takes the form of correction and conviction when we sin, but it can also involve earthly hardships. In some cases, these trials can be extreme (Hebrews 11:35–38), but they are not always so dire (Hebrews 12:4). Jesus' attitude is, as expected, the proper response to these kinds of struggles: to trust that God is working out all things for the sake of future joys (Hebrews 12:2). Good parents discipline their children, so spiritual discipline from God is a sign of His love for us (Hebrews 12:5–6). In contrast, those who experience no such correction from God have good reason to question their spiritual state (Hebrews 12:8).

The prior verse connects with these words, supporting the idea that discipline is a sign of good parenting. As stated earlier, children eventually come to respect the guidance of their parents (Hebrews 12:9). Since we can see the benefit of earthly parenting, we ought to be all the more receptive to our Divine Parent! Here, this idea is echoed by pointing out that the discipline we receive from earthly parents is according to their knowledge and understanding. God's knowledge and understanding is far more extensive (Isaiah 55:9), so we should be that much more willing to honor and obey it.

This verse also re-emphasizes the purpose of God's discipline. Even when the discipline is dire (Hebrews 6:7–8), God's intent is to make us more like Him—to share in his Holiness. As the next verse admits, we never "like" that discipline, but we can understand and accept it.

Hebrews 12:3–17 builds from a description of heroes of the faith, culminating in Jesus Christ. Those who came before were loved by God and honored by God, and yet they suffered hardships in this world. In this passage, the writer makes it clear that suffering is often God's way of building us up and training us, not necessarily a sign of His displeasure. Christians who respond to trials by seeking God, in faith, can avoid the fate of less-faithful men, like Esau.

Chapter 11 explained the victories of some of the Old Testament's greatest heroes. It also explained their sufferings and persecution. This chapter uses those examples as a ''cloud of witnesses'' to prove that God does not abandon us when we suffer. In many cases, He uses those experiences to ''train'' us, as if we were athletes, to make us stronger. In other cases, it's the same kind of discipline that a child receives from a loving father. Unlike the old covenant, which rightly inspired fear and dread, the new covenant offers us peace. As with any other matter of truth or falsehood, we should cling to what's true, so that we can be part of ''a kingdom that cannot be shaken.''

Hebrews chapter 12 builds on the example of the heroes of the faith mentioned in chapter 11. The main point of this lesson is that these figures endured suffering and hardship, yet held to their faith in God, which allowed them to achieve victory. Chapter 12, in particular, points out that earthly hardship is not a sign of God's displeasure, or abandonment. Rather, it's part of living in a fallen, godless world. And, in many cases, it's a form of ''training'' the Lord uses to mold us into more powerful instruments. This, as with other passages in Hebrews, leads into another explanation of why we should take these ideas seriously, and sets up a few final practical lessons in chapter 13.

The book of Hebrews is meant to challenge, encourage, and empower Christian believers. According to this letter, Jesus Christ is superior to all other prophets and all other claims to truth. Since God has given us Christ, we ought to listen to what He says and not move backwards. The consequences of ignoring God are dire. Hebrews is important for drawing on many portions of the Old Testament in making a case that Christ is the ultimate and perfect expression of God's plan for mankind. This book presents some tough ideas about the Christian faith, a fact the author makes specific note of.